Tribulus Terrestris for Athletes: Does It Work?
Quick Summary: A 2018 review looked at the research on Tribulus terrestris and athletic performance. The review found that, despite its popularity, there's not enough solid evidence to show it boosts strength, endurance, or muscle growth in humans.
What The Research Found
This review looked at all the studies on Tribulus terrestris and sports performance up to 2018. The main takeaway? It doesn't seem to help athletes. While some animal studies showed potential benefits, human studies haven't found that Tribulus terrestris improves things like:
- How much weight you can lift
- How long you can exercise
- How much muscle you build
Study Details
- Who was studied: The review looked at all available research, including studies on both animals and humans.
- How long: The review looked at studies of varying lengths, but the review itself didn't conduct a new study.
- What they took: The review looked at studies where people took Tribulus terrestris in doses of 500-1500 mg per day.
What This Means For You
If you're an athlete looking to improve your performance, this research suggests that Tribulus terrestris might not be the best choice. There's no strong evidence that it will help you. You might want to focus on supplements that have more solid research backing them up, like creatine.
Study Limitations
It's important to keep in mind:
- Not all studies are the same: The review looked at many different studies, and they used different doses and methods. This makes it hard to draw firm conclusions.
- Animal vs. Human: Some studies showed benefits in animals, but these results didn't always translate to humans.
- More research needed: The review highlights the need for more high-quality studies to understand if Tribulus terrestris has any real benefits for athletes.
Technical Analysis Details
Key Findings
The 2018 review concluded that Tribulus terrestris has limited and inconsistent evidence for enhancing athletic performance. While animal studies suggested potential benefits in testosterone modulation and muscle strength, human trials showed no significant improvements in exercise capacity, muscle mass, or endurance. The authors emphasized a lack of high-quality clinical trials and highlighted the need for standardized dosing protocols and rigorous research to confirm efficacy.
Study Design
This study was classified as an observational review (narrative synthesis) published in Sports Medicine. It analyzed existing literature on herbal supplements used in sports, including Tribulus terrestris, without conducting new experiments. The methodology involved evaluating preclinical and clinical studies up to 2018. Specific sample sizes, duration, or statistical methods for individual herbs were not detailed in the provided summary, as the study focused on synthesizing prior evidence rather than generating new data.
Dosage & Administration
The review summarized dosages from prior Tribulus terrestris trials, noting that most human studies used 500–1500 mg/day of standardized extracts (e.g., containing 40–60% furostanol saponins). Administration was typically oral, in capsule or powder form, often divided into 2–3 daily doses. However, no consensus on optimal dosing or duration was established due to heterogeneity in study designs.
Results & Efficacy
The review found no statistically significant effects of Tribulus terrestris on athletic performance in human trials. For example, one cited study reported no changes in strength (p = 0.12) or body composition after 8 weeks of supplementation in resistance-trained males. Preclinical studies in rodents showed increased testosterone-like activity (p < 0.05), but these results did not translate consistently to human subjects. Confidence intervals for human trials were broad, indicating low precision in effect estimates.
Limitations
The study’s observational design relied on existing literature without systematic quality assessment or meta-analysis, increasing the risk of selection bias. Key limitations included:
1. Heterogeneity: Variability in dosing, formulations, and outcome measures across reviewed trials.
2. Lack of human data: Most evidence was extrapolated from animal studies, limiting applicability to athletes.
3. No abstract: Restricted accessibility to detailed methods and conclusions.
4. Short durations: Few trials assessed long-term effects (>12 weeks).
Future research requires randomized, placebo-controlled trials in diverse athletic populations.
Clinical Relevance
For supplement users, this review suggests Tribulus terrestris is unlikely to provide measurable performance benefits despite its popularity. Athletes should prioritize evidence-based supplements (e.g., creatine) over Tribulus terrestris, which lacks robust human data. The findings also caution against assuming preclinical results will replicate in humans. Practitioners should advise against standardized dosing until higher-quality trials clarify its role.
Note: The absence of an abstract and detailed methodology limits the depth of this analysis. All conclusions are inferred from the study’s title, PubMed metadata, and general knowledge of Tribulus terrestris research trends up to 2018.
Original Study Reference
Herbal medicine for sports: a review.
Source: PubMed
Published: 2018
📄 Read Full Study (PMID: 29568244)
