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.

2021-11-07
Nutrients 13(11)
- Diego Fernández-Lázaro
- Juan Mielgo-Ayuso
- Miguel Del Valle Soto
- David P Adams
- Jerónimo J González-Bernal
- Jesús Seco-Calvo

PubMed: 34836225
DOI: 10.3390/nu13113969

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size: n = 30
Population: 30 healthy CrossFit®-trained males
Methods: randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial; 770 mg of TT supplementation or placebo daily for 6 weeks
Blinding: Single-blind
Duration: 6 weeks
Funding: Unclear

Rigorous Journal

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.

Research Insights

Tribulus→Improved Back Squat Performance
There were no significant group x time interactions for the outcomes of the study except for testosterone levels and bench press performance
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
770 mg/day
Tribulus→Improved Bench Press Performance
There were no significant group x time interactions for the outcomes of the study except for testosterone levels and bench press performance
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
770 mg/day
Tribulus→Improved CrossFit Total Performance
There were no significant group x time interactions for the outcomes of the study except for testosterone levels and bench press performance
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
770 mg/day
Tribulus→Improved Deadlift Performance
There were no significant group x time interactions for the outcomes of the study except for testosterone levels and bench press performance
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
770 mg/day
Tribulus→Improved Grace Performance
There were no significant group x time interactions for the outcomes of the study except for testosterone levels and bench press performance
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
770 mg/day
Tribulus→Increased Testosterone Level
There were no significant group x time interactions for the outcomes of the study except for testosterone levels and bench press performance
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
770 mg/day
Tribulus→Reduced Body Fat Mass
There were no significant group x time interactions for the outcomes of the study except for testosterone levels and bench press performance
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
770 mg/day
Tribulus→Reduced Body Mass
There were no significant group x time interactions for the outcomes of the study except for testosterone levels and bench press performance
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
770 mg/day
Tribulus→Reduced Cortisol Levels
There were no significant group x time interactions for the outcomes of the study except for testosterone levels and bench press performance
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
770 mg/day
Tribulus→Reduced Fat Mass
There were no significant group x time interactions for the outcomes of the study except for testosterone levels and bench press performance
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
770 mg/day