NCT07343219

Brief Summary

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.

Trial Health

55
Monitor

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
62

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jan 2026

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
active not recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 6, 2026

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 6, 2026

Completed
9 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

January 15, 2026

Completed
1 month until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

February 17, 2026

Completed
1 day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

February 18, 2026

Completed
Last Updated

January 20, 2026

Status Verified

January 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

1 month

First QC Date

January 6, 2026

Last Update Submit

January 15, 2026

Conditions

PerformanceRecoveryStrengthAerobic Endurance

Keywords

ashwagandhafootballstrengthrecovery

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Change in Salivary Cortisol Concentration from Baseline to 6 Weeks

    6 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (9)

  • Change in Salivary Alpha Amylase from Baseline to 6 Weeks

    6 weeks

  • Change in Handgrip Strength (kg) from Baseline to 6 Weeks

    6 weeks

  • Change in Countermovement Jump Height (cm) from Baseline to 6 Weeks

    6 weeks

  • Change in 1 km Time Trial Completion Time (seconds) from Baseline to 6 Weeks

    6 weeks

  • Perception of sleep quality

    Baseline to 6 weeks

  • +4 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (2)

Ashwagandha root extract

EXPERIMENTAL

450 mg Ashwagandha root extract

Dietary Supplement: Root extract Ashwagandha

Placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

450 mg corn starch

Other: Corn Starch

Interventions

Root extract AshwagandhaDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

450 mg Ashwagandha root extract

Ashwagandha root extract
Corn StarchOTHER

450 mg corn starch

Placebo

Eligibility Criteria

Age12 Years - 18 Years
Sexmale
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsChild (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

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

You may not qualify if:

  • Lack of signed consent form
  • No active use of medication
  • No active use of ergogenic aids
  • Allergies to nightshades

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Fulham Football Club

London, United Kingdom

Location

Related Publications (3)

  • 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.

    PMID: 33670194BACKGROUND

  • 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.

    PMID: 22131739BACKGROUND

  • 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.

    PMID: 19077317BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Starch

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

GlucansBiopolymersPolymersMacromolecular SubstancesDietary CarbohydratesCarbohydratesPolysaccharides

Study Officials

  • Olivia C Coope, PhD

    Blanquerna Institute

    STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
TRIPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR
Purpose
BASIC SCIENCE
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: Randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial
Sponsor Type
NETWORK
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 6, 2026

First Posted

January 15, 2026

Study Start

January 6, 2026

Primary Completion

February 17, 2026

Study Completion

February 18, 2026

Last Updated

January 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will share

De-identified individual participant data related to primary and secondary outcomes will be shared with other sports nutrition researchers upon reasonable request. Data sharing will be subject to ethical approval, data protection requirements, and safeguarding considerations, and will exclude any information that could identify participants.

Shared Documents
STUDY PROTOCOL

Locations

GB(1)