# Ashwagandha Does Not Enhance the Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training on Selected Energy Metabolism Parameters in Young Healthy Men

PMID: 41156498
Journal: Nutrients
Published: 2025 Oct 16
Authors: Charmas M, Jówko E, Długołęcka B, Klusiewicz A, Przybylska I, Galczak-Kondraciuk A

## Question

Does 600 mg/day ashwagandha extract enhance the effects of an 8-week supervised rowing HIIT program on body composition, lipid profile, adiponectin, asprosin, and irisin in healthy young men?

## Summary

Healthy young men completed 8 weeks of rowing HIIT while taking either ashwagandha extract or placebo. HIIT changed selected exercise-related hormone responses, but ashwagandha did not add clear benefits for body composition, lipid profile, or the measured energy-metabolism hormones.

## Population

- Healthy male physical education students who were not competitive athletes
- Sample size: 38
- Age: Ashwagandha 20.3 +/- 0.8 years; placebo 20.8 +/- 1.8 years
- Sex: Men only
- Fitness level: Young healthy non-competitive students, not regularly trained in the prior 12 months
- Health status: Healthy, with chronic disease and recent injuries excluded

## Methodology

- Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled supplementation trial with supervised HIIT in both groups
- 8 weeks
- University exercise laboratory/training setting
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Ashwagandha plus rowing HIIT.
- Modality: Rowing ergometer.
- Work intervals: 1.5 minutes.
- Recovery: 1.5 minutes at 70 W.
- Sets or repetitions: 5-7 intervals.
- Intensity: 75-95% Pmax by study week.
- Session duration: About 15-21 minutes of interval/recovery work.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 8 weeks.
- Progression: Increase intensity and then interval count across 8 weeks; ashwagandha 600 mg/day.
- Placebo plus rowing HIIT.
- Modality: Rowing ergometer.
- Work intervals: 1.5 minutes.
- Recovery: 1.5 minutes at 70 W.
- Sets or repetitions: 5-7 intervals.
- Intensity: 75-95% Pmax by study week.
- Session duration: About 15-21 minutes of interval/recovery work.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 8 weeks.
- Progression: Same HIIT progression with placebo capsules.

## Outcomes

### Supplement effect
Status: no clear change
Ashwagandha did not add significant benefits beyond placebo for body composition, lipid profile, or measured energy-metabolism hormones.

Supplement effects were not significant for the main health and metabolism outcomes.

### Lipid profile
Status: no clear change
The 8-week HIIT block did not significantly change lipid profile.

Reported p>0.05.

### Hormone responses
Status: mixed
HIIT was associated with lower resting adiponectin and higher irisin after exercise/recovery, while asprosin showed no clear significant effect.

Significant term/time effects were reported for adiponectin and irisin.

## Practical Insights

- Do not present ashwagandha as a proven add-on for HIIT metabolic benefits based on this study.
- The rowing protocol is a reproducible ergometer progression but not directly bodyweight-friendly.
- Surrogate hormone changes should be described cautiously for consumer workout guidance.

## Limitations

- Small sample of healthy young men.
- No non-exercise control group.
- Short 8-week intervention.
- Surrogate lipid and hormone outcomes.
- Adherence and adverse-event details were not reported.

## Safety And Adherence

- No adverse-event outcomes were reported in the extracted article.
- Participants were screened for health, injury, medication, substance, and supplement factors.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41156498/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17203245) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12566838/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.