Ashwagandha for improving cardiorespiratory endurance and recovery in athletic adults

This randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 50 healthy athletic adults receiving either 300 mg Ashwagandha Withania somnifera root extract or placebo twice daily for 8 weeks.

The results show that Ashwagandha caused a significant improvement in VO2 max outcome compared with placebo (p = 0.0074), and compared with the baseline (p < 0.0001). Ashwagandha significantly improved Total Quality Recovery scores and Daily Analysis of Life Demands for Athletes questionnaire analysis compared with placebo (p < 0.0001). Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes assessment also yielded better outcomes, especially for fatigue recovery (p < 0.0001), lack of energy (p < 0.0001), and fitness analysis (p < 0.0001). The enhanced antioxidant level was significant (p < 0.0001) in the Ashwagandha group. Moreover, no adverse events were reported by any of the subjects in this study.

In conclusion, Ashwagandha root extract can successfully enhance cardiorespiratory endurance and improve the quality of life in healthy athletic adults.

Tiwari S, Gupta SK, Pathak AK. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial on the effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera dunal.) root extract in improving cardiorespiratory endurance and recovery in healthy athletic adults. J Ethnopharmacol. 2021 May 23;272:113929.

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