Effects of Root Extract Ashwagandha (KSM-66) on Physiological Stress, Perception of Recovery and Muscle Strength in Youth Elite Footballers

NCT ID: NCT07343219

Last Updated: 2026-01-20

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

62 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2026-01-06

Study Completion Date

2026-02-18

Brief Summary

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This trial examines if six weeks of taking 450 mg Ashwagandha root extract affects exercise performance and recovery in youth male elite football players.

Ashwagandha root extract is increasingly used by athletes, but controlled research in adolescent athletes is limited and the majority of evidence is in an adult population. This study will assess short-term responses in youth players.

Participants will be randomly assigned to take either Ashwagandha root extract or a placebo once daily for six weeks. Players will complete training-based tests, provide saliva samples and complete a short, validated questionnaire on perception of wellness. Any adverse events will be documented and reported.

Detailed Description

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The objective of this trial is to learn whether a short period of taking 450mg of Ashwagandha root extract affects performance, recovery, muscle strength and wellbeing in youth male elite football players.

The researchers are studying Ashwagandha root extract as it is increasingly used by athletes and the general population of varying ages for well-being, performance and recovery purposes, despite a lack of controlled research examining its effects in adolescent athletes. Most existing evidence comes from adult populations, and it remains unclear whether similar physiological and perceptual responses occur in adolescents engaged in structured training.

The main questions the study aims to answer are:

Does taking Ashwagandha root extract change stress levels measured through saliva in youth elite footballers?

Does it affect muscle strength, recovery, sleep, or muscle soreness?

Participants will be randomly assigned to take either Ashwagandha root extract or a placebo once a day for six weeks. During the study, players will complete strength and fitness tests during usual training time, then provide saliva samples afterwards. Short questionnaires will be solicited the day after about how they feel. Any adverse events that occur during the study will be documented and reported.

Conditions

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Performance Recovery Strength Aerobic Endurance

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial
Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators

Study Groups

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Ashwagandha root extract

450 mg Ashwagandha root extract

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Root extract Ashwagandha

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

450 mg Ashwagandha root extract

Placebo

450 mg corn starch

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Corn Starch

Intervention Type OTHER

450 mg corn starch

Interventions

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Root extract Ashwagandha

450 mg Ashwagandha root extract

Intervention Type DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Corn Starch

450 mg corn starch

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Male youth football player
* Classified as 'healthy' and 'free of disease'
* Actively training with the selected football academy

Exclusion Criteria

* Lack of signed consent form
* No active use of medication
* No active use of ergogenic aids
* Allergies to nightshades
Minimum Eligible Age

12 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

MALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Sports Performance and Applied Research in Trials and Analysis

NETWORK

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

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Olivia C Coope, PhD

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Blanquerna Institute

Locations

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Fulham Football Club

London, , United Kingdom

Site Status

Countries

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United Kingdom

References

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Bonilla DA, Moreno Y, Gho C, Petro JL, Odriozola-Martinez A, Kreider RB. Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on Physical Performance: Systematic Review and Bayesian Meta-Analysis. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2021 Feb 11;6(1):20. doi: 10.3390/jfmk6010020.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33670194 (View on PubMed)

Mishra RK, Trivedi R, Pandya MA. A clinical study of Ashwagandha ghrita and Ashwagandha granules for its Brumhana and Balya effect. Ayu. 2010 Jul;31(3):355-60. doi: 10.4103/0974-8520.77164.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 22131739 (View on PubMed)

Petroczi A, Naughton DP, Pearce G, Bailey R, Bloodworth A, McNamee M. Nutritional supplement use by elite young UK athletes: fallacies of advice regarding efficacy. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2008 Dec 15;5:22. doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-5-22.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19077317 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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20251103

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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