Effects of Sensoril on strength training

[eatyourspinach]

https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/10/11/1807/htm

Effects of an Aqueous Extract of Withania somnifera on Strength Training Adaptations and Recovery: The STAR Trial

Abstract: Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is an Ayurvedic herb categorized as having “rasayana” (rejuvenator), longevity, and revitalizing properties. Sensoril® is a standardized aqueous extract of the roots and leaves of Withania somnifera. Purpose: To examine the impact of Sensoril® supplementation on strength training adaptations. Methods: Recreationally active men (26.5 ± 6.4 years, 181 ± 6.8 cm, 86.9 ± 12.5 kg, 24.5 ± 6.6% fat) were randomized in a double-blind fashion to placebo (PLA, n = 19) or 500 mg/d Sensoril® (S500, n = 19). Body composition (DEXA), muscular strength, power, and endurance, 7.5 km cycling time trial, and clinical blood chemistries were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of supplementation and training. Subjects were required to maintain their normal dietary habits and to follow a specific, progressive overload resistance-training program (4-day/week, upper body/lower body split). 2 × 2 mixed factorial ANOVA was used for analysis and statistical significance was set a priori at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Gains in 1-RM squat (S500: +19.1 ± 13.0 kg vs. PLA +10.0 ± 6.2 kg, p = 0.009) and bench press (S500: +12.8 ± 8.2 kg vs. PLA: +8.0 ± 6.0 kg, p = 0.048) were significantly greater in S500. Changes in DEXA-derived android/gynoid ratio (S500: +0.0 ± 0.14 vs. PLA: +0.09 ± 0.1, p = 0.03) also favored S500. No other between-group differences were found for body composition, visual analog scales for recovery and affect, or systemic hemodynamics, however, only the S500 group experienced statistically significant improvements in average squat power, peak bench press power, 7.5 km time trial performance, and perceived recovery scores. Clinical chemistry analysis indicated a slight polycythemia effect in PLA, with no other statistical or clinically relevant changes being noted. Conclusions: A 500 mg dose of an aqueous extract of Ashwagandha improves upper and lower-body strength, supports a favorable distribution of body mass, and was well tolerated clinically in recreationally active men over a 12-week resistance training and supplementation period.



*Funding
Funding for this study was provided by Natreon, Inc. (New Brunswick, NJ, USA) through a restricted grant. The sponsor of the study was not involved in the conduct, interpretation, or the preparation of the final manuscript. A blinded third-party audited the collected data for accuracy and performed the statistical analyses

[Farley1324]

Nice

[OT2000]

Improvement in resistance training with ashwaghanda in any extract does not shock me but I want to read this study further.

[poison]

Badass. Too bad it makes me feel weird.

[DFDDD]

What does this formula mean? spicy

[eatyourspinach]

What does this formula mean? spicy

https://web.mst.edu/~psyworld/experi...xeddesign.html

[DinoT1985]

I always wonder how much different Sensoril vs KSM-66 would be in real world use and if the difference is significant as this this kind of study would be expected more with KSM-66.

[eatyourspinach]

I always wonder how much different Sensoril vs KSM-66 would be in real world use and if the difference is significant as this this kind of study would be expected more with KSM-66.

KSM is higher in withanolides so if that is the determining factor in it's effectiveness you're probably right

[danielmoo]

I always wonder how much different Sensoril vs KSM-66 would be in real world use and if the difference is significant as this this kind of study would be expected more with KSM-66.

http://nootropicsdepot.com/articles/...ril-vs-ksm66-/

[BenBlue]

These studies are frustrating. So many variables unaccounted for. And variables "trusted" to be accounted for i.e. "Subjects were required to maintain their normal dietary habits", or using arbitrary measures i.e. "Recreationally active men"...

I'm not trying to say that there isn't any relevance, but I think conclusions get drawn far too prematurely when it comes to many of these substances.

Can anyone explain an MOA when it comes to Ash and potential strength gains? Or any of it's reported benefits for that matter?

[eatyourspinach]

These studies are frustrating. So many variables unaccounted for. And variables "trusted" to be accounted for i.e. "Subjects were required to maintain their normal dietary habits", or using arbitrary measures i.e. "Recreationally active men"...

I'm not trying to say that there isn't any relevance, but I think conclusions get drawn far too prematurely when it comes to many of these substances.

We also acknowledge the limitations of this study. While all participants were instructed to follow strict pre-exercise guidelines of rest and fasting, the ability to detect additional changes in performance may have been influenced by study participant’s compliance to these directives. Moreover, while the present study did not overtly seek to maximize hypertrophy adaptations to training, our subjects’ total energy and protein intakes may have undermined their ability to attain more pronounced changes in muscle mass. As an example, relative energy intake was approximately 23.5–25 kcals per kilogram of body mass, and protein intake was ~1.2–1.3 g of protein per kilogram of body mass/day. While potentially adequate, both of these values are lower than recommended amounts to optimize changes in lean mass during resistance exercise training [24,25]. In addition, while weekly contact with subjects was used to gauge compliance with the exercise program, workouts were not strictly supervised by study personnel, and this could have impacted the changes we observed in our study.

Can anyone explain an MOA when it comes to Ash and potential strength gains? Or any of it's reported benefits for that matter?

Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) is an Ayurvedic herb belonging to the Solanaceae family. Previous reports have categorized Withania somnifera as having “rasayana” (rejuvenator), longevity, and revitalizing properties [1,2,3], but these reports have yet to be fully substantiated using well-controlled, scientific investigations. Ashwagandha has previously been studied in therapeutic areas surrounding cognitive, mood, psychomotor, joint health [2], antioxidation [3], and anti-inflammation. While a firm understanding of many mechanisms of action is not yet present, ashwagandha contains bioactive compounds, including alkaloids (withanine, withasomnin), lactones (withanolides), and glycosides (sitoindosides) that may account for these purported physiological effects [1]. Ashwaganda has also been recognized as having “adaptogenic” properties, which may support a favorable response to the physical and mental stressors of a high-intensity exercise program [1]. Human clinical and animal data in dosages, ranging from 250 to 1000 mg/day, suggest that there is a wide range of physiological effects that may lead to ergogenic benefits, including but not limited to: anxiolytic [4], analgesic [5], anti-inflammatory, anabolic, cardiopulmonary, and antioxidant effects [6]. However, it is important to note that the composition of different Withania somnifera extracts depend upon which type of extraction method is used and what part of the plant is undergoing the extraction technique [7]. Limited research has examined the impact of root extracts or other combinations of the plant for their impact on various outcomes.

[BenBlue]

We also acknowledge the limitations of this study. While all participants were instructed to follow strict pre-exercise guidelines of rest and fasting, the ability to detect additional changes in performance may have been influenced by study participant’s compliance to these directives. Moreover, while the present study did not overtly seek to maximize hypertrophy adaptations to training, our subjects’ total energy and protein intakes may have undermined their ability to attain more pronounced changes in muscle mass. As an example, relative energy intake was approximately 23.5–25 kcals per kilogram of body mass, and protein intake was ~1.2–1.3 g of protein per kilogram of body mass/day. While potentially adequate, both of these values are lower than recommended amounts to optimize changes in lean mass during resistance exercise training [24,25]. In addition, while weekly contact with subjects was used to gauge compliance with the exercise program, workouts were not strictly supervised by study personnel, and this could have impacted the changes we observed in our study.



Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) is an Ayurvedic herb belonging to the Solanaceae family. Previous reports have categorized Withania somnifera as having “rasayana” (rejuvenator), longevity, and revitalizing properties [1,2,3], but these reports have yet to be fully substantiated using well-controlled, scientific investigations. Ashwagandha has previously been studied in therapeutic areas surrounding cognitive, mood, psychomotor, joint health [2], antioxidation [3], and anti-inflammation. While a firm understanding of many mechanisms of action is not yet present, ashwagandha contains bioactive compounds, including alkaloids (withanine, withasomnin), lactones (withanolides), and glycosides (sitoindosides) that may account for these purported physiological effects [1]. Ashwaganda has also been recognized as having “adaptogenic” properties, which may support a favorable response to the physical and mental stressors of a high-intensity exercise program [1]. Human clinical and animal data in dosages, ranging from 250 to 1000 mg/day, suggest that there is a wide range of physiological effects that may lead to ergogenic benefits, including but not limited to: anxiolytic [4], analgesic [5], anti-inflammatory, anabolic, cardiopulmonary, and antioxidant effects [6]. However, it is important to note that the composition of different Withania somnifera extracts depend upon which type of extraction method is used and what part of the plant is undergoing the extraction technique [7]. Limited research has examined the impact of root extracts or other combinations of the plant for their impact on various outcomes.

Right, so much more research is needed before any conclusions are drawn, and better structured/monitored studies.

I will say my interest is growing stronger, but there are tons of factors I'm wondering about, for example: we know reducing stress levels and better sleep are going to automatically have a positive impact on strength, body composition, and lot's of other reported benefits. So, maybe Ash does have a positive effect on stress and/or sleep, or maybe it's placebo which also will create a positive outcome (we know placebo effect is valid), but I wonder if someone who already does a good job of mitigating stress and aiding sleep, either through best practices or other substances, is going to get any benefit from something like Ash....just one thought process I have when it comes to Ash.

[Juice2544]