Whey Protein and Adaptogenic Supplementation in Physically Active Females

Sports Performance and Applied Research in Trials and Analysis60 enrolled

Overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether whey protein or plant protein supplements, with or without an adaptogenic herb blend, can improve strength, recovery, stress, and wellbeing in active females. The adaptogenic blend contains ashwagandha root extract and shatavari root extract. The main questions the study aims to answer are: * Do whey protein and plant protein supplements improve muscle strength and recovery in physically active females? * Does adding ashwagandha and shatavari improve stress, recovery, sleep, and wellbeing compared with protein alone? * Are there differences between whey protein and plant protein when combined with the adaptogenic blend? Researchers will compare four supplement groups: * Whey protein * Whey protein with ashwagandha and shatavari * Plant protein * Plant protein with ashwagandha and shatavari Participants will: * Take their assigned supplement daily for 6 weeks * Attend testing sessions before and after the intervention * Complete questionnaires about recovery, sleep, stress, soreness, and digestive health * Provide saliva samples to measure stress, hormone, immune, and inflammation markers * Complete muscle strength tests, including handgrip strength and push-up testing * Complete a 24-hour dietary recall. The study includes physically active females aged 18 to 45 years who regularly participate in structured training.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

DOUBLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Sports Nutritional Sciences

Interventions

Whey proteinDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants will consume a whey protein supplement daily for 6 weeks. The supplement will be provided in identical blank tubs. Participants will be instructed to maintain their usual diet and training habits throughout the intervention period.

Whey Protein With Adaptogenic BlendDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants will consume a whey protein supplement containing ashwagandha KSM-66® root extract (250 mg) and shatavari SRI-81™ root extract (300 mg) daily for 6 weeks. Supplements will be provided in identical blank tubs. Participants will maintain usual diet and training habits during the study.

Plant Protein SupplementDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants will consume a plant-based protein supplement daily for 6 weeks. The supplement will be provided in identical blank tubs. Participants will be instructed to maintain their usual diet and training habits throughout the intervention period.

Plant Protein With Adaptogenic BlendDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants will consume a plant-based protein supplement containing ashwagandha KSM-66® root extract (250 mg) and shatavari SRI-81™ root extract (300 mg) daily for 6 weeks. Supplements will be provided in identical blank tubs. Participants will maintain usual diet and training habits during the study.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 45 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Female, aged 18-45 years * Currently participating in regular structured athletic or physical training (≥3 sessions per week) * Free from musculoskeletal injury that would prevent testing * Willing to maintain usual diet and training habits during the study * Not currently using protein supplements or adaptogenic supplements Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy during the study period * Known allergy or sensitivity to dairy, pea protein, pumpkin seed, chia seed, ashwagandha, shatavari, or nightshades * Current use of prescribed medication that may interact with the supplements * Thyroid disorders, autoimmune conditions, hormone-sensitive conditions, or other medical conditions that may be affected by supplementation * Diagnosed eating disorder or condition affecting protein metabolism * Current musculoskeletal injury preventing participation in testing * Current use of other protein supplements or adaptogens

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Salivary Cortisol Concentration

Change in salivary cortisol concentration from baseline to post-intervention following 6 weeks of whey protein or plant protein supplementation with or without an adaptogenic herb blend containing ashwagandha KSM-66® and shatavari SRI-81™. Results will be reported in ng/mL.