Muscular strength is a result of the amount of energy or ATP’s (fuel) generated during the act of muscular activities and resistance to fatigue. Fatigue decreases the ability of a muscle to generate force and plays a vital role in limiting performance. Enhancement in sustainable, sufficient and timely synthesis of ATP and resistance to the fatigue will boost stamina and better the sportsman’s performance.
Despite strength training, sportsmen do need nutritional supplements to outperform and become successful. Shilajit is one such nutritional supplement which improves voluntary contractile force of a fatigued muscle and acts as a rejuvenator.
Shilajit is a rock exudate found in the sedimentary rocks of Himalayan regions which contains fulvic acid as the main component along with free and conjugated dibenzo-α pyrones and more than 40 minerals. It is considered as Rasayan (revitaliser) in Ayurveda with plentiful benefits and proven to be clinically safe.
Studies report that supplementation with a purified, organic form of Shilajit increases adenosine triphosphate (ATP) availability by improving mitochondrial function. It also increases free testosterone, total testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone in healthy males promoting lean mass and muscular strength proving to be an efficient performance enhancer.
Shilajit also up regulates collagen & connective tissue integrity. Collagen is a structural protein found abundantly in bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. It plays a major role in force transmission from the skeletal muscles and prevention of injury. The collagen up regulation property of Shilajit improves strength and stability of muscles.
To sum up, Shilajit supplementation proves to be beneficial for enhancing muscular strength by improving mitochondrial respiration and re-synthesis of ATP’s thereby restricting fatigue to bring out the best performance.
Dr. Shivanand. B. Kalasannavar M.D. Asst. Professor, Dept. of Agada Tantra, Govt. Ayurved Medical College and Hospital, Mysuru, Karnataka.
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