The Anabolic Effect of Fenugreek: A Systematic Review with
                    Meta-analysis

Eduard Isenmann; Pijus Alisauskas; Ulrich Flenker; Jan Schalla; Patrick Diel

doi:10.1055/a-2048-5925

International Journal of Sports Medicine, Inhaltsverzeichnis

Int J Sports Med 2023; 44(10): 692-703
DOI: 10.1055/a-2048-5925

Review

The Anabolic Effect of Fenugreek: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis

Autoren

Eduard Isenmann

¹Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany

²Department of Fitness and Health, IST University of Applied Science, Dusseldorf, Dusseldorf, Germany
Pijus Alisauskas

¹Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
Ulrich Flenker

¹Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
Jan Schalla

¹Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
Patrick Diel

¹Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany

Abstract

The use of plant steroids to improve physical health and performance is becoming increasingly popular. One of these plant steroids is diosgenin, which is mainly available in fenugreek. As a result, some studies have been conducted to improve physical health. Fenugreek extracts are also becoming increasingly popular in the context of athletic performance. Based on these assumptions, a systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the promoting effects of fenugreek on strength performance, body composition, and hormone concentration. Four databases were screened according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The current version of ReviewManager (RevMan) was used for the statistical evaluation. Seven studies with 449 participants (378 male, 71 female) met the inclusion criteria. A small effect of fenugreek was detected for total testosterone (standard mean difference (SMD): 0.32; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.09 0.55), free testosterone (SMD: 0.24; 95% CI: −0.04, 0.52), lean body mass (SMD: 0.19; 95% CI: −0.10, 0.49), fat mass (SMD: −0.19; 95% CI: −0.44, 0.05), and leg press performance (SMD: 0.22; 95% CI: −0.02, 0.47), in male athletes. The meta-analysis shows that chronic application of fenugreek has performance-enhancing and anabolic effects in male athletes, but no statements can be made for female athletes.

Key words

muscle mass - strength training - hypertrophy - performance enhancement - fenugreek - diosgenin

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Referenzen

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