The Effects of Short-Term Shilajit Supplementation on Aerobic Power, Anaerobic Power, Fatigue Index, and Muscle Damage Markers Following Exhaustive Running in Young Taekwondo Athletes
This study aimed to investigate the effects of short-term Shilajit supplementation on: Aerobic and anaerobic capacity, Fatigue index, and Serum biomarkers of muscle damage following exhaustive exercise in competitive young taekwondo athletes
Design
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial design was employed
Settings and conduct
Study conducted at Ilam University's Sports Science Center under research committee supervision.
Randomized allocation of eligible participants into two groups
Double-blind design: Participants and researchers unaware of treatment (Shilajit/placebo)
Identical capsules used to maintain blinding
Continuous monitoring by research team
Immediate adverse effect reporting required
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria
Competitive taekwondo athletes aged 18-29 years
Minimum rank of blue belt certification
No current use of nutritional supplements or performance-enhancing substances
Absence of diagnosed chronic diseases or musculoskeletal disorders.
Provision of written informed consent
Demonstrated compliance with all study protocols
Exclusion Criteria
Failure to meet any of the aforementioned inclusion criteria
Intervention groups
Shilajit Group: Received 500 mg/day of Shilajit extract
Placebo Group: Received an identical-matched placebo
Main outcome variables
Improvement in maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max)
Enhancement of anaerobic power output
Reduction in physiological fatigue index
Decreased serum concentrations of muscle damage biomarkers (CK, LDH)
Accelerated recovery following exhaustive exercise
Comparative efficacy evaluation of Shilajit versus placebo on athletic performance
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20241029063535N1
Registration date:2025-04-10, 1404/01/21
Registration timing:registered_while_recruiting
Last update:2025-04-10, 1404/01/21
Update count:0
Registration date
2025-04-10, 1404/01/21
Registrant information
Name
Hadi Abdi
Name of organization / entity
Payam Noor University
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 84 3222 1052
Email address
abdi.h@pnu.ac.ir
Recruitment status
recruiting
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2025-04-09, 1404/01/20
Expected recruitment end date
2025-05-10, 1404/02/20
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
The Effects of Short-Term Shilajit Supplementation on Aerobic Power, Anaerobic Power, Fatigue Index, and Muscle Damage Markers Following Exhaustive Running in Young Taekwondo Athletes
Public title
The Effects of Short-Term Shilajit Supplementation in Young Taekwondo Athletes
Purpose
Other
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
between the ages of 18 and 29 years
Absence of chronic diseases or musculoskeletal injuries.
No consumption of additional sports supplements or performance-enhancing drugs during the study period.
Provision of written informed consent following detailed explanation of the study protocol.
Minimum of 3 years of regular competitive Taekwondo training, with a rank of at least blue belt proficiency.
Exclusion criteria:
Current or recent (past month) use of: Sports supplements, Performance-enhancing drugs or Corticosteroids.
Prior shilajit supplementation within the preceding 3 months.
Diagnosed chronic medical conditions including, Diabetes mellitus, Hypertension, Thyroid dysfunction, Cardiovascular disorders
Recent (within the past 6 months) musculoskeletal injuries affecting athletic performance.
Recent (past 7 days) consumption of anti-inflammatory or analgesic medications.
Taekwondo rank below blue belt (e.g., white, yellow, or green belts).
Fewer than 3 years of regular competitive taekwondo training.
Declined participation in the exhaustive running protocol.
Did not provide written informed consent.
Documented hypersensitivity to shilajit or its constituent compounds.
Current tobacco use or alcohol consumption.
Age
From 18 years old to 29 years old
Gender
Male
Phase
2-3
Groups that have been masked
Participant
Investigator
Outcome assessor
Sample size
Target sample size:
30
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
Block Randomization
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Double blinded
Blinding description
Participants were randomly allocated to intervention or control groups using a double-blind procedure performed by an independent investigator.
This study does not focus on a specific disease. Instead, it examines the efficacy of Shilajit supplementation in enhancing functional performance metrics and mitigating exercise-induced muscle damage.
ICD-10 code
ICD-10 code description
2
Description of health condition studied
No specific disease is being investigated
ICD-10 code
ICD-10 code description
Primary outcomes
1
Description
Aerobic capacity
Timepoint
Before supplementation (baseline), 24 hours after supplementation.
Method of measurement
The Bruce protocol was employed for assessment of maximal aerobic capacity.
2
Description
Anaerobic power
Timepoint
Before supplementation (baseline), 24 hours after the supplementation.
Method of measurement
The Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) was utilized to assess anaerobic power.
3
Description
Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)
Timepoint
Before supplementation, after supplementation, immediately and 24 hours after an exhaustive running session.
Method of measurement
Using specific kits
Secondary outcomes
empty
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention group: Receiving 500 mg/day of Shilajit