Acute Effects of Tribulus Terrestris on Anaerobic Power and Sprint Performance in Combat Sport Athletes

NCT07164547 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: ETU-TRIBULUS-2025E-70400699-050.02.04-250010269
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 28
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to investigate the acute effects of Tribulus terrestris supplementation on anaerobic performance and sprint times in trained male combat sport athletes. A total of 28 athletes from kickboxing, Muay Thai, and taekwondo disciplines will participate in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Participants will ingest either a single oral dose of 625 mg Tribulus terrestris (40% saponins) or a placebo 60 minutes before performing performance tests. The performance assessments will include a 30-second Wingate anaerobic cycling test and 20 m and 100 m sprint tests using photocell timing gates. After a wash-out period, participants will cross over to the alternate condition. The primary outcomes are peak power and mean power from the Wingate test and sprint times over 20 m and 100 m.

Conditions

Anaerobic Power; Sprint Performance

Keywords

Tribulus terrestris; Combat sports; Anaerobic performance; Wingate test; Sprint time; Ergogenic supplementation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Peak Power Output (W, W/kg) - Wingate Test

  Maximum anaerobic power generated during the 30-second Wingate cycling test performed against a resistance equal to 10% of body mass.

  Measured once, 60 minutes after supplementation, during the Wingate test session (single-day assessment).

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Mean Power Output (W, W/kg) - Wingate Test

  Measured once, 60 minutes after supplementation, during the Wingate test session (single-day assessment).

Study Arms (2)

Tribulus Terrestris

EXPERIMENTAL

A single oral dose of 625 mg Tribulus terrestris extract (40% saponins) given 60 minutes before exercise testing.

Dietary Supplement: Tribulus terrestris extract

Placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Visually identical cellulose capsule given 60 minutes before exercise testing.

Other: Cellulose capsule (placebo)

Interventions

Tribulus terrestris extract DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

625 mg oral capsule (40% saponins), single dose

Tribulus Terrestris

Cellulose capsule (placebo) OTHER

Oral cellulose capsule, identical in appearance

Placebo

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male athletes aged 18-30 years
• Engaged in combat sports (kickboxing, Muay Thai, or taekwondo)
• Minimum 2 years of continuous training experience
• Training at least 4 sessions per week
• Free from injury or illness at the time of testing
• Provided written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Use of ergogenic supplements, anabolic steroids, or hormonal treatments within the past 3 months
• Consumption of caffeine, alcohol, or performance-enhancing substances within 24 hours before testing
• Current musculoskeletal injury or medical condition that may limit performance
• Any chronic disease or contraindication to high-intensity exercise

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Salih ÇABUK: lead

Study Sites (1)

Atatürk University, Sports Science Laboratory

Erzurum, Erzurum, 25240, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Tribulus extract; Cellulose

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Glucans; Biopolymers; Polymers; Macromolecular Substances; Polysaccharides; Carbohydrates; Biomedical and Dental Materials; Manufactured Materials; Technology, Industry, and Agriculture

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: QUADRUPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Participants, investigators, care providers, and outcome assessors were blinded to group allocation. Supplements were prepared in identical capsules to ensure blinding integrity.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Assistant

Model Details: This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial in which all participants received both Tribulus terrestris and placebo supplementation with a wash-out period in between conditions.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 31, 2025
• First Posted: September 10, 2025
• Study Start: March 21, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 21, 2025
• Study Completion: August 15, 2025
• Last Updated: September 10, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Locations

TU (1)