Short-Term Rhodiola Rosea: Effects on Hoops Players' Game Time, Fatigue & Performance

NCT07239960 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2024219H
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 48
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate the effects of short-term Rhodiola rosea supplementation on simulated game performance, perceived fatigue, and aerobic capacity in basketball players. The participants will include 48 professional male basketball players aged 18-25 years, all from Beijing Sport University and holding at least a national level-2 athlete certification. The key research questions are as follows: Does Rhodiola rosea supplementation improve the total completion time of simulated games? Does it reduce post-simulation heart rate and perceived fatigue while enhancing aerobic capacity (e.g., maximal oxygen uptake) and antioxidant indicators? To address these questions, researchers will compare the Rhodiola rosea supplementation group (RHO group) with the control group (CTR group). Participants will be required to: Consume Rhodiola rosea supplements or placebos (empty capsules) daily for 28 consecutive days on an empty stomach. Complete simulated game tests-including sprints, defensive slides, and layups-with total completion time and heart rate recovery recorded. Provide blood samples for the measurement of biochemical indicators such as total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase activity, and creatine kinase. Complete a series of physical fitness tests, including the countermovement jump (CMJ) test, 5-km run, YO-YO Intermittent Recovery Test, and maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) test.

Conditions

Healthy

Keywords

Rhodiola; Sports Performance; Fatigue; Basketball Players; Exercise Physiology; Physical Performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Total completion time of the simulated game

  Baseline and after 28 days of supplementation

Secondary Outcomes (11)

• Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)

  Baseline and after 28 days of supplementation

• Heart rate recovery

  Baseline and after 28 days of supplementation

• Total distance in the YO-YO intermittent recovery test

  Baseline and after 28 days of supplementation

• Countermovement jump (CMJ) height

  Baseline and after 28 days of supplementation

• Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max)

  Baseline and after 28 days of supplementation

Study Arms (2)

Rhodiola Supplementation Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will receive daily Rhodiola capsules for 28 days. They will undergo simulated basketball game tests and physical fitness assessments (sprint, endurance, jump tests) before and after the supplementation period.

Dietary Supplement: Rhodiola rosea, L

Placebo Control Group

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants in this arm will receive daily placebo capsules (empty capsules identical in appearance to Rhodiola) for 28 days. They will undergo the same simulated basketball game tests and physical fitness assessments (sprint, endurance, jump tests) before and after the intervention period, without knowing their group assignment.

Other: Placebo Comparator

Interventions

Rhodiola rosea, L DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants in this arm will receive daily capsules containing Rhodiola Rosea for 28 days. The capsules are identical in appearance to placebo capsules. The intervention aims to evaluate the effects of Rhodiola supplementation on basketball players' simulated game performance, sprint times, perceived fatigue, aerobic capacity, and antioxidant markers. Participants will undergo baseline and post-intervention physical fitness assessments, including sprint tests, endurance tests, Countermovement Jump (CMJ), heart rate recovery, and simulated game tasks.

Also known as: Golden Root, Arctic Root, R. rosea

Rhodiola Supplementation Group

Placebo Comparator OTHER

Participants in this arm will receive daily placebo capsules (identical in appearance to Rhodiola capsules) for 28 days. This group serves as a control to compare the effects of Rhodiola supplementation on basketball players' simulated game performance, sprint times, perceived fatigue, aerobic capacity, and antioxidant markers. Participants will complete the same baseline and post-intervention physical fitness assessments as the experimental group.

Placebo Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male basketball players aged 18 years or older
• National Level 2 athletes or above with training experience
• Voluntarily participating and providing written informed consent
• Healthy, without chronic diseases, neuromuscular or musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, or diabetes
• Not using other nutritional supplements or alcohol-containing products during the study, and non-smokers

You may not qualify if:

• Allergy to Rhodiola or study-related substances
• Recent major surgery or injury affecting athletic performance
• Use of antidepressants or stimulant drugs
• Unable to comply with training or intervention requirements during the study
• Any other condition that may compromise safety or data reliability

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Beijing Sport University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Beijing Sport University

Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100084, China

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Fatigue

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: This study uses a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group design. Participants are randomly assigned to either the Rhodiola supplementation group or the placebo group, and both groups receive their respective interventions simultaneously for 28 days.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 14, 2025
• First Posted: November 20, 2025
• Study Start: June 22, 2024
• Primary Completion: September 20, 2024
• Study Completion: December 20, 2024
• Last Updated: November 20, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP
• Time Frame: De-identified individual participant data (IPD) and supporting documentation will be available after publication of the study results, expected around 6 months after study completion.
• Access Criteria: De-identified individual participant data (IPD) and supporting information will be available to qualified researchers upon request by contacting the corresponding author. All shared data will be de-identified to protect participant privacy, and requests will be reviewed to ensure appropriate use for academic and scientific purposes.

Locations

CN (1)