Short-Term Rhodiola Rosea for Anaerobic Performance and Cognitive Function in Resistance-Trained Adults

NCT07225413 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: JSU-EPNL-2025-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 27
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study will evaluate whether 7 days of Rhodiola rosea (golden root) supplementation can improve resistance-exercise performance and cognitive function in resistance-trained men and women. Participants will complete four 7-day periods in a randomized, double-blind, crossover order: (1) no-capsule control, (2) placebo, (3) low-dose Rhodiola rosea, and (4) high-dose Rhodiola rosea. On day 7 of each period, they will report to the laboratory for performance testing that includes bench press and leg press 1-repetition maximum (1RM), a third set to failure at 60% 1RM, Tendo-derived mean and peak power, a 30-second Wingate test, and the paper-and-pencil Stroop Color-Word Test for executive function. Secondary outcomes include ratings of perceived exertion, readiness to perform (visual analog scale), and heart rate and blood pressure measured at rest and 1 minute after exercise. The central hypothesis is that short-term Rhodiola rosea, compared with control and placebo, will produce small but measurable improvements in strength, set-to-failure volume, and Stroop performance, with minimal changes in hemodynamics.

Conditions

Healthy Volunteers

Keywords

Rhodiola rosea; Golden root; Adaptogen; Dietary supplements; Resistance training; Strength training; Anaerobic performance; Wingate test; Executive function; Stroop Color-Word Test; Sports performance; Cognitive performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Load volume (kg) during 3rd set to failure at 60% 1RM

  Participants performed bench presses and leg presses at 60% of their familiarization 1RM. On the 3rd set, they lifted to volitional failure; load volume was calculated as load (kg) × repetitions. Values after administration of low- and high-dose Rhodiola rosea were compared with those of the placebo and control groups.

  Day 7 of each 7-day period

• Wingate anaerobic test peak power

  Participants completed a 30-s Wingate test on a cycle ergometer; peak power (W) was recorded. Values after low- and high-dose Rhodiola rosea were compared with those of the placebo and control to assess the effects on anaerobic performance.

  Day 7 of each 7-day period

• Executive function (Stroop Color-Word Test)

  The paper-and-pencil Stroop Color-Word Test is administered (Word, Color, and Color-Word, 45 s each). The total number of correct responses across the three sections is recorded. Higher scores indicate better executive control.

  Day 7 of each 7-day period

Secondary Outcomes (10)

• Readiness to Perform (Visual Analog Scale, 0-100 mm)

  Day 7 of each 7-day period

• Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) after resistance exercise

  Day 7 of each 7-day period

• Resting Heart Rate

  Day 7 of each 7-day period

• 1-Minute Post-Exercise Heart Rate

  Day 7 of each 7 days (1-min post-bench press; 1-min post-leg press; 1-min post-Wingate).

• Resting Systolic Blood Pressure

  Day 7 of each 7 days (pre-test).

Study Arms (4)

No-Capsule Control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants complete a 7-day control period during which no capsules are administered. On day 7 they report to the lab for testing (bench press and leg press 1RM, third set to failure at 60% 1RM, Tendo power, 30-s Wingate, and Stroop Color-Word Test), plus HR/BP and RPE. This arm is always completed first to establish baseline performance.

Placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants ingest placebo capsules once daily for 7 days. On day 7, \~60 minutes after the final dose, they complete the same performance and cognitive testing battery (resistance exercises, Wingate, Stroop, HR/BP, RPE). This arm controls for expectancy and capsule intake.

Dietary Supplement: Placebo capsules

Low-Dose Rhodiola rosea

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants ingest low-dose Rhodiola rosea (e.g., 200 mg/day) for 7 days. On day 7, \~60 minutes after dosing, they complete the laboratory testing session (bench/leg press 1RM and 60% to failure, Tendo power, 30-s Wingate, Stroop test, HR/BP, RPE) to determine whether short-term low-dose RR improves strength, muscular endurance, anaerobic performance, or executive function relative to control and placebo.

Dietary Supplement: Rhodiola rosea (low dose)

High-Dose Rhodiola rosea

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants ingest high-dose Rhodiola rosea (e.g., 1,500 mg/day) for 7 days. On day 7, \~60 minutes after dosing, they perform the identical performance and cognitive testing battery. This arm allows for comparison of a higher RR dose with low-dose, placebo, and control groups to assess dose-response effects on resistance performance and Stroop outcomes.

Dietary Supplement: Rhodiola rosea (high dose)

Interventions

Rhodiola rosea (low dose) DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants will ingest a low-dose Rhodiola rosea extract (≈approximately 200 mg/day) once daily for 7 consecutive days. On day 7, \~60 minutes after the final dose, they will complete the exercise and cognitive testing battery (bench press, leg press, set to failure at 60% 1RM, Tendo power, 30-s Wingate, Stroop test, HR/BP, RPE). This intervention is used to determine whether short-term, lower-dose RR improves resistance performance and executive function compared with placebo and control.

Also known as: Rhodiola rosea extract 200 mg

Low-Dose Rhodiola rosea

Rhodiola rosea (high dose) DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants will ingest a high-dose Rhodiola rosea extract (≈approximately 1,500 mg/day) once daily for 7 consecutive days. On day 7, \~60 minutes after the final dose, they will complete the same performance and cognitive testing battery. This arm allows dose-response comparison with the low-dose RR, placebo, and no-capsule control conditions.

High-Dose Rhodiola rosea

Placebo capsules DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants will ingest matching placebo capsules once daily for 7 days. On day 7, \~60 minutes after capsule ingestion, they will complete the full testing battery. This intervention controls for expectancy, capsule handling, and timing.

Placebo

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Weeks - 40 Weeks
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Adults 18-40 years old
• ≥2 years of consistent resistance training, including bench press and leg press/squat
• Able to complete all four 7-day conditions and Day-7 testing in a crossover design
• Willing to abstain from other performance supplements during the study
• Provided written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosed metabolic, cardiovascular, or thyroid disorders
• Cardiac arrhythmias
• Current prescription drugs with possible cardiovascular or neurocognitive effects
• Smoking
• Known or suspected sensitivity to Rhodiola rosea
• Regular alcohol intake \>12 drinks/week
• Recent musculoskeletal injury that could limit resistance-exercise testing

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Jacksonville State University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Exercise Physiology and Nutrition Laboratory (EPNL) at Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville, Alabama, 36265, United States

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor of Kinesiology; Program Coordinator, Human Performance & Nutrition; Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 31, 2025
• First Posted: November 6, 2025
• Study Start: February 1, 2022
• Primary Completion: October 17, 2022
• Study Completion: December 31, 2022
• Last Updated: November 6, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)