The Effects of 6 Weeks of Tribulus terrestris L. Supplementation on Body Composition, Hormonal Response, Perceived Exertion, and CrossFit® Performance: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Department of Cellular Biology, Histology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Campus of Soria, University of Valladolid, 42003 Soria, Spain. Neurobiology Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain. Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain. Department of Morphology and Cell Biology, University of Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, Spain. Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), 33011 Oviedo, Spain. Dual Enrollment Program, Point University, Savannah, GA 31419, USA. Physiotherapy Department, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), Campus de Vegazana, University of Leon, 24071 Leon, Spain. Visiting Researcher of Basque Country University, Psychology Department, Faculty of Medicine, 48900 Leioa, Spain.

Nutrients. 2021;(11)
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Abstract

Tribulus terrestris L. (TT) supplementation have been shown to enhance sports performance in many but not all studies. Moreover, data regarding the potential impact of TT supplementation on CrossFit® endurance is limited. This study aimed to determine whether TT supplementation improve body composition, hormonal response, and performance among CrossFit® athletes. In a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial, a total of 30 healthy CrossFit®-trained males were randomly allocated to receive either 770 mg of TT supplementation or a placebo daily for 6 weeks. Body mass, fat mass, fat composition, testosterone and cortisol levels, and CrossFit® performance (5 common Workouts of the Day: back squat, bench press, dead lift, Grace, and CrossFit® Total) were assessed before and after intervention. There were no significant group x time interactions for the outcomes of the study except for testosterone levels and bench press performance (p < 0.05). TT supplementation did not impact enhance performance or body composition in CrossFit® male athletes. However, TT supplementation may act as a testosterone booster helping the recovery after physical loads and mitigating fatigue.

Methodological quality

Publication Type : Randomized Controlled Trial

Metadata

MeSH terms : Hormones