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.