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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

Eduard Isenmann
1   Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
2   Department of Fitness and Health, IST University of Applied Science, Dusseldorf, Dusseldorf, Germany
,
Pijus Alisauskas
1   Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
,
Ulrich Flenker
1   Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
,
Jan Schalla
1   Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
,
Patrick Diel
1   Institute for Cardiovascular Research and Sport Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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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


Publication History

Received: 31 July 2022

Accepted: 24 February 2023

Article published online:
30 May 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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