Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on Physical Performance: Systematic Review and Bayesian Meta-Analysis

Study answer

What this study found

Ashwagandha showed a beneficial overall effect on physical performance outcomes versus placebo. For strength and power, the pooled effect was d unb = 0.68 (95% CI 0.40 to 0.95) and the Bayesian estimate was mu = 0.67 (95% CrI 0.28 to 1.04). For cardiorespiratory fitness, the exploratory pooled effect was d unb = 1.37 (95% CI 0.26 to 2.48), and after excluding an outlier it was d unb = 1.85 (95% CI 1.40 to 2.31). For fatigue and recovery, the pooled effect favored Ashwagandha with d unb = -1.17 (95% CI -3.01 to -1.049) and Bayesian mu = -1.18 (95% CrI -1.70 to -0.63), where negative values…

Study & population

Systematic review with Bayesian meta-analysis of randomized and some non-randomized trials in healthy adults with varying training status, including untrained, recreationally active, and strength-trained participants.

Intervention

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) was given orally in a wide range of regimens across included trials, most commonly 120 to 1250 mg/day for 28 days to 12 weeks.

Key limitation

The evidence base was small and heterogeneous, with only 13 eligible studies and 12 contributing to meta-analysis.

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Original abstract