Sports Nutritional SciencesNCT07594444
Whey Protein and Adaptogenic Supplementation in Physically Active Females
A study testing Whey protein, Whey Protein With Adaptogenic Blend and Plant Protein Supplement in people with Sports Nutritional Sciences and Recovery, run by Sports Performance and Applied Research in Trials and Analysis at 1 site in United Kingdom.
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 45 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Sports Nutritional Sciences, Recovery, Muscle Strength Recovery
- What is being tested?
- Whey protein, Whey Protein With Adaptogenic Blend and Plant Protein Supplement
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited Kingdom
- Study dates
- 1 Jul 2026to 1 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 45 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Female, aged 18-45 years
- Currently participating in regular structured athletic or physical training (≥3 sessions per week)
- Free from musculoskeletal injury that would prevent testing
- Willing to maintain usual diet and training habits during the study
- Not currently using protein supplements or adaptogenic supplements
Who cannot join
- Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy during the study period
- Known allergy or sensitivity to dairy, pea protein, pumpkin seed, chia seed, ashwagandha, shatavari, or nightshades
- Current use of prescribed medication that may interact with the supplements
- Thyroid disorders, autoimmune conditions, hormone-sensitive conditions, or other medical conditions that may be affected by supplementation
- Diagnosed eating disorder or condition affecting protein metabolism
- Current musculoskeletal injury preventing participation in testing
- Current use of other protein supplements or adaptogens
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United Kingdom1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Strength and Nutrition Ltd
Brighton, East Sussex
Olivia C Coope, PhD(c), 07882461098, livcwalker@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: Whey Protein and Adaptogenic Herb Supplementation in Physically Active Females: A Randomised Controlled Trial
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:
Read more
- 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.
- Conditions
- Sports Nutritional Sciences, Recovery, Muscle Strength Recovery, Muscle Strength, Supplements
- Being tested
- Whey protein, Whey Protein With Adaptogenic Blend, Plant Protein Supplement, Plant Protein With Adaptogenic Blend
- Keywords
- Whey Protein, Plant protein, Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Adaptogens, Sports, Exercise, Active females, physically active females
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Activity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Whey proteinDietary supplement
Also called Grass-Fed Whey Protein, Whey Protein Powder
Participants will consume a whey protein supplement daily for 6 weeks. The supplement will be provided in identical blank tubs. Participants will be instructed to maintain their usual diet and training habits throughout the intervention period.
Whey Protein With Adaptogenic BlendDietary supplement
Also called Ashwagandha and Shatavari Whey Protein, Whey Protein Plus Adaptogens
Participants will consume a whey protein supplement containing ashwagandha KSM-66® root extract (250 mg) and shatavari SRI-81™ root extract (300 mg) daily for 6 weeks. Supplements will be provided in identical blank tubs. Participants will maintain usual diet and training habits during the study.
Plant Protein SupplementDietary supplement
Also called Plant-Based Protein, Vegan Protein Supplement
Participants will consume a plant-based protein supplement daily for 6 weeks. The supplement will be provided in identical blank tubs. Participants will be instructed to maintain their usual diet and training habits throughout the intervention period.
Plant Protein With Adaptogenic BlendDietary supplement
Also called Plant Protein Plus Adaptogens, Ashwagandha and Shatavari Plant Protein
Participants will consume a plant-based protein supplement containing ashwagandha KSM-66® root extract (250 mg) and shatavari SRI-81™ root extract (300 mg) daily for 6 weeks. Supplements will be provided in identical blank tubs. Participants will maintain usual diet and training habits during the study.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Whey protein | Active comparator | Participants will consume a whey protein supplement daily for 6 weeks. Assessments of muscle strength, recovery, stress, wellbeing, dietary intake, and salivary biomarkers will be conducted at baseline and post-intervention. Receives: Dietary Supplement: Whey protein |
| Whey Protein + Adaptogenic Blend | Experimental | Participants will consume a whey protein supplement containing ashwagandha KSM-66® (250 mg) and shatavari SRI-81™ (300 mg) daily for 6 weeks. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and post-intervention. Receives: Dietary Supplement: Whey Protein With Adaptogenic Blend |
| Plant protein | Active comparator | Participants will consume a plant-based protein supplement daily for 6 weeks. Assessments of muscle strength, recovery, stress, wellbeing, dietary intake, and salivary biomarkers will be conducted at baseline and post-intervention. Receives: Dietary Supplement: Plant Protein Supplement |
| Plant Protein + Adaptogenic Blend | Experimental | Participants will consume a plant-based protein supplement containing ashwagandha KSM-66® (250 mg) and shatavari SRI-81™ (300 mg) daily for 6 weeks. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and post-intervention. Receives: Dietary Supplement: Plant Protein With Adaptogenic Blend |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Salivary Cortisol Concentration
Change in salivary cortisol concentration from baseline to post-intervention following 6 weeks of whey protein or plant protein supplementation with or without an adaptogenic herb blend containing ashwagandha KSM-66® and shatavari SRI-81™. Results will be reported in ng/mL.
Measured: Baseline and Week 6
Secondary outcomes (9)
Handgrip Strength
Change in maximal handgrip strength measured using a CAMRY dynamometer from baseline to post-intervention.
Measured: Baseline and Week 6
Upper Body Muscular Endurance
Change in upper body muscular endurance assessed using the 90-degree push-up test protocol from baseline to post-intervention.
Measured: Baseline and Week 6
Perceived Recovery and Wellbeing
Participants will complete the Hooper Index Questionnaire, which assesses four domains: sleep quality, fatigue, stress, and muscle soreness. Each domain is rated on a 10-point Likert scale ranging from 1 to 10, with total scores ranging from 4 to 40. Higher scores indicate poorer wellbeing and recovery status, whereas lower scores indicate better perceived wellbeing and recovery.
Measured: Baseline and Week 6
Salivary DHEA-S Concentration
Salivary DHEA-S concentration will be measured from saliva samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques. Results will be reported in ng/mL.
Measured: Baseline and Week 6
Perceived Gastrointestinal Health
Change in gastrointestinal symptoms and digestive comfort assessed using a gastrointestinal distress questionnaire.
Measured: Baseline and Week 6
Dietary Intake
Dietary intake assessed using a 24-hour dietary recall to evaluate habitual nutritional intake during the study period.
Measured: Baseline and Week 6
Salivary Oestradiol Concentration
Salivary oestradiol concentration will be measured from saliva samples using ELISA. Results will be reported in pg/mL.
Measured: Baseline and Week 6
Salivary Secretory Immunoglobulin A (sIgA) Concentration
Salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) concentration will be measured from saliva samples using ELISA. Results will be reported in µg/mL.
Measured: Baseline and Week 6
Salivary C-reactive Protein Concentration
Salivary C-reactive protein will be measured from saliva samples using ELISA. Results will be reported in pg/mL.
Measured: Baseline to Week 6
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted18 May 2026
- Study start1 Jul 2026
- Primary completion20 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Sports Nutritional SciencesStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to 1 of 4 parallel groups: whey protein, whey protein with adaptogenic blend, plant protein, or plant protein with adaptogenic blend. Participants will remain in their assigned group for the full 6-week intervention period. Baseline and post-intervention assessments will be conducted to compare changes between groups and over time.
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Sports Performance and Applied Research in Trials and Analysis
- Sponsor type
- Research network
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Olivia Charlotte Coope, Sports Performance and Applied Research in Trials and Analysis
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07594444
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- ASH-WHEY-001
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 12 May 2026
- Last updated
- 15 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared with other researchers. Data collected in this study will be anonymised and retained only for the duration of analysis before permanent deletion, in accordance with the study protocol, participant consent, and UK GDPR requirements.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Whey Protein and Adaptogenic Herb Supplementation in Physically Active Females: A Randomised Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07594444
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ASH-WHEY-001
- Conditions
- Sports Nutritional Sciences, Recovery, Muscle Strength Recovery, Muscle Strength, Supplements
- Keywords
- Whey Protein, Plant protein, Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Adaptogens, Sports, Exercise, Active females
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Sports Performance and Applied Research in Trials and AnalysisResearch network
- Study start
- 1 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 18 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 4
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to 1 of 4 parallel groups: whey protein, whey protein with adaptogenic blend, plant protein, or plant protein with adaptogenic blend. Participants will remain in their assigned group for the full 6-week intervention period. Baseline and post-intervention assessments will be conducted to compare changes between groups and over time.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Whey protein | Active comparator | Dietary Supplement: Whey proteinParticipants will consume a whey protein supplement daily for 6 weeks. Assessments of muscle strength, recovery, stress, wellbeing, dietary intake, and salivary biomarkers will be conducted at baseline and post-intervention. |
| Whey Protein + Adaptogenic Blend | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: Whey Protein With Adaptogenic BlendParticipants will consume a whey protein supplement containing ashwagandha KSM-66® (250 mg) and shatavari SRI-81™ (300 mg) daily for 6 weeks. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and post-intervention. |
| Plant protein | Active comparator | Dietary Supplement: Plant Protein SupplementParticipants will consume a plant-based protein supplement daily for 6 weeks. Assessments of muscle strength, recovery, stress, wellbeing, dietary intake, and salivary biomarkers will be conducted at baseline and post-intervention. |
| Plant Protein + Adaptogenic Blend | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: Plant Protein With Adaptogenic BlendParticipants will consume a plant-based protein supplement containing ashwagandha KSM-66® (250 mg) and shatavari SRI-81™ (300 mg) daily for 6 weeks. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and post-intervention. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 45 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Female, aged 18-45 years
- Currently participating in regular structured athletic or physical training (≥3 sessions per week)
- Free from musculoskeletal injury that would prevent testing
- Willing to maintain usual diet and training habits during the study
- Not currently using protein supplements or adaptogenic supplements
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy during the study period
- Known allergy or sensitivity to dairy, pea protein, pumpkin seed, chia seed, ashwagandha, shatavari, or nightshades
- Current use of prescribed medication that may interact with the supplements
- Thyroid disorders, autoimmune conditions, hormone-sensitive conditions, or other medical conditions that may be affected by supplementation
- Diagnosed eating disorder or condition affecting protein metabolism
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Whey proteinAlso: Grass-Fed Whey Protein, Whey Protein PowderParticipants will consume a whey protein supplement daily for 6 weeks. The supplement will be provided in identical blank tubs. Participants will be instructed to maintain their usual diet and training habits throughout the intervention period. | Dietary supplement | Whey protein |
| Whey Protein With Adaptogenic BlendAlso: Ashwagandha and Shatavari Whey Protein, Whey Protein Plus AdaptogensParticipants will consume a whey protein supplement containing ashwagandha KSM-66® root extract (250 mg) and shatavari SRI-81™ root extract (300 mg) daily for 6 weeks. Supplements will be provided in identical blank tubs. Participants will maintain usual diet and training habits during the study. | Dietary supplement | Whey Protein + Adaptogenic Blend |
| Plant Protein SupplementAlso: Plant-Based Protein, Vegan Protein SupplementParticipants will consume a plant-based protein supplement daily for 6 weeks. The supplement will be provided in identical blank tubs. Participants will be instructed to maintain their usual diet and training habits throughout the intervention period. | Dietary supplement | Plant protein |
| Plant Protein With Adaptogenic BlendAlso: Plant Protein Plus Adaptogens, Ashwagandha and Shatavari Plant ProteinParticipants will consume a plant-based protein supplement containing ashwagandha KSM-66® root extract (250 mg) and shatavari SRI-81™ root extract (300 mg) daily for 6 weeks. Supplements will be provided in identical blank tubs. Participants will maintain usual diet and training habits during the study. | Dietary supplement | Plant Protein + Adaptogenic Blend |
Primary outcome
Salivary Cortisol Concentration
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Change in salivary cortisol concentration from baseline to post-intervention following 6 weeks of whey protein or plant protein supplementation with or without an adaptogenic herb blend containing ashwagandha KSM-66® and shatavari SRI-81™. Results will be reported in ng/mL.
9 secondary outcomes
Handgrip Strength
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Upper Body Muscular Endurance
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Perceived Recovery and Wellbeing
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Salivary DHEA-S Concentration
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Perceived Gastrointestinal Health
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Dietary Intake
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Salivary Oestradiol Concentration
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Salivary Secretory Immunoglobulin A (sIgA) Concentration
Time frame: Baseline and Week 6
Salivary C-reactive Protein Concentration
Time frame: Baseline to Week 6
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared with other researchers. Data collected in this study will be anonymised and retained only for the duration of analysis before permanent deletion, in accordance with the study protocol, participant consent, and UK GDPR requirements.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Whey protein, Whey Protein With Adaptogenic Blend and Plant Protein Supplement in people with Sports Nutritional Sciences and Recovery, run by Sports Performance and Applied Research in Trials and Analysis at 1 site in United Kingdom.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United Kingdom. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Each site lists its own contact: choose the nearest one under Trial locations. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Salivary Cortisol Concentration (time frame: Baseline and Week 6). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Oct 2026.