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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06900569

Ashwagandha Supplementation for Prevention of Muscle Damage

Ashwagandha is an herbal supplement that has a wide range of benefits related to exercise when supplemented for about 8-12 weeks. This study aims to investigate whether short-term Ashwagandha supplementation can enhance muscle recovery following exercise by measuring muscle strength recovery, swelling, and soreness in the biceps.

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Key information

Conditions

Muscle Damage

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Saskatchewan

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7K 2X2, Canada

About this study

The purpose of the study is to determine the effects of Ashwagandha supplementation on recovery from muscle-damaging exercise. Ten to twenty participants will be randomized to receive Ashwagandha supplementation (600 mg/d) or placebo for 10 days. On day 7, participants will perform a muscle damaging exercise session (six sets of concentric and emphasized eccentric repetitions with the biceps). Before and after exercise and at 24, 48, and 72 hours after exercise, isometric muscle strength, muscle swelling (ultrasound), and muscle soreness will be assessed. The investigators hypothesize the Ashwagandha will alleviate symptoms of muscle damage (swelling and soreness) and enhance strength recovery after a bout of muscle-damaging exercise.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

male or female, aged 18-35y

-

Exclusion criteria

Conditions that may be affected by exercise (determined by "yes" answers to the "Get Active Questionnaire") Pregnant Breastfeeding

Allergies to:

  • Dicalcium Phosphate
  • Cellulose
  • Vegetable magnesium stearate
  • Silica

Treatment and study plan

Ashwagandha

Dietary Supplement

600 mg/d Ashwagandha

Placebo

Dietary Supplement

600 mg/d placebo

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in isometric biceps strength measured with a dynamometer (Nm)

    Time frame: 72 hours

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in muscle thickness measured with ultrasound (cm)

    Time frame: 72 hours

  2. Change in muscle soreness measured with a visual analog scale with scores ranging from 0 (no soreness) to 10 (maximal soreness)

    Time frame: 72 hours

  3. Change in sleep quality with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index with scores ranging from 0 (no sleep problems) to 3 (lowest sleep quality)

    Time frame: 10 days

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Saskatchewan

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Ashwagandha Supplementation for Recovery From Muscle-damaging Exercise and Sleep Quality

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Mar 28, 2025
Registry last updated
Feb 23, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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