HEALTH NEWS

Study Title:

EFFECT OF ASHWAGANDHA (WITHANIA SOMNIFERA) ROOT POWDER SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE VO2 MAX. AND HEMOGLOBI

Study Abstract

Withania Somnifera (WS) is used as adaptogen, antiarthritic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory,
nervine tonic, nerve soothing, antioxidant, immunomodulator, free radical scavenger, anti-stress and
anti-cancer agent. But ergogenic value of WS as nutritional supplement is yet to be established.
Objectives: Present study was designed to investigate the effect of supplementation of WS on the VO2max
and Haemoglobin in Hockey Players. Method: Thirty two male hockey players, with a mean age of 17.4 ±
1.7 years and BMI 20.9 ± 2.9 kg/m2 volunteered for the study. Subjects were randomly assigned into two
groups Group I (n=16): Withania somnifera group (experimental group) and Group II (n=16): Placebo
(control) group. The experimental group received 500 mg capsules of aqueous roots
of Ashwagandha twice daily for eight weeks, whereas the placebo group received starch capsules.
Maximal oxygen consumption capacity in ml/kg/min (VO2max.) with Cooper (1968) 12 min. run test and
hemoglobin (Hb) of both experimental and control groups were measured before and after the
administration of Withania somnifera and placebo respectively. Results: A significant improvement in the
VO2max (t = 2.98, p< 0.01) and hemoglobin (t = 2.78, p < 0.01) in experimental group was found.
Whereas not any significant change in pre test and post test values of VO2max and Hb was observed in the
placebo group. Conclusion: Supplementation of Withania Somnifera improves VO2max and hemoglobin
concentration in young hockey players.
Key Words: Withania Somnifera, Maximal Oxygen Consumption Capacity, Hemoglobin and Placebo

Study Information

EFFECT OF ASHWAGANDHA (WITHANIA SOMNIFERA) ROOT POWDER SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE VO2 MAX. AND HEMOGLOBIN IN HOCKEY PLAYERS
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL SOCIAL AND MOVEMENT SCIENCES
2013 July