Effects of Four-Week Rhodiola Rosea Supplementation on Physical Fitness, Neuromuscular Performance, and Decision-Making in Competitive Football Players

NCT07366320 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2025619H
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study investigates whether four weeks of Rhodiola rosea supplementation can improve physical fitness, neuromuscular performance, and decision-making ability in competitive male football players. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either Rhodiola rosea or a placebo while continuing their regular football training. Before and after the four-week intervention, all participants complete a series of tests, including aerobic fitness, repeated sprint ability, jumping performance, reaction time, and soccer-specific decision-making tasks. Blood samples are also collected to assess fatigue and recovery-related markers. The purpose of this study is to determine whether Rhodiola rosea supplementation can enhance performance and cognitive function under high-intensity training and competition conditions.

Conditions

Physical Performance and Fatigue in Competitive Football Players

Keywords

Rhodiola rosea; Soccer; Football players; Dietary supplement; Repeated sprint ability; Decision making; Fatigue; Randomized controlled trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2 (Yo-Yo IR2) distance

  The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2 (Yo-Yo IR2) will be used to assess high-intensity intermittent endurance capacity. The total distance completed during the test will be recorded at baseline and after 4 weeks of Rhodiola rosea or placebo supplementation.

  Time Frame: Baseline and Week 4

Secondary Outcomes (10)

• Best sprint time during repeated sprint test

  Time Frame: Baseline and Week 4

• Mean sprint time during repeated sprint test

  Baseline and Week 4

• Countermovement jump (CMJ) height

  Time Frame: Baseline and Week 4

• Decision-making reaction time

  Time Frame: Baseline and Week 4

• Blood lactate concentration immediately post-repeated sprint exercise

  Baseline and Week 4 (immediately post-repeated sprint exercise)

Study Arms (2)

Rhodiola rosea Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received Rhodiola rosea supplementation for 4 weeks in addition to their regular football training.

Dietary Supplement: Rhodiola rosea extract

Placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants consumed placebo capsules identical in appearance to Rhodiola rosea for 4 weeks.

Other: Placebo

Interventions

Rhodiola rosea extract DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Participants assigned to this intervention will receive Rhodiola rosea extract for 4 weeks in addition to their regular football training. The supplement will be administered orally in capsule form at a dose of 2,400 mg per day, given twice daily. The extract is standardized to salidroside, providing a total of 12 mg salidroside per daily dose. The capsules contain starch as excipient and gelatin as the capsule shell. All supplements are sourced from the same production batch to ensure consistency throughout the intervention period. Adherence will be monitored by capsule count and compliance logs.

Also known as: Rhodiola

Rhodiola rosea Group

Placebo OTHER

Participants assigned to this intervention will receive placebo capsules identical in appearance, taste, and packaging to the Rhodiola rosea capsules for 4 weeks in addition to their regular football training. The placebo contains inert ingredients and is administered orally following the same dosing schedule as the Rhodiola rosea group.

Also known as: Placebo capsule

Placebo

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male competitive football players aged 18-30 years
• Regular participation in structured football training (≥3 sessions per week)
• Free from musculoskeletal injury for at least 3 months prior to the study
• Not using any nutritional supplements or ergogenic aids for at least 4 weeks before enrollment
• Willing to maintain habitual diet and training throughout the study
• Provided written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• History of cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, or endocrine disease
• Use of Rhodiola rosea, caffeine, or other performance-enhancing supplements within the past 4 weeks
• Current smoking or substance abuse
• Known allergy to herbal supplements
• Any injury or illness that could affect physical performance or safe participation

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Beijing Sport University: lead

Study Sites (1)

China Football Institute, 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 Officials

• Dingmeng Ren, PhD

  Beijing Sport University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Both participants and outcome assessors were blinded to group allocation. Supplements and placebo were identical in appearance and packaging.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Graduate Student

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned to either Rhodiola rosea supplementation or placebo in a parallel two-arm design.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 9, 2026
• First Posted: January 26, 2026
• Study Start: August 30, 2025
• Primary Completion: September 27, 2025
• Study Completion: October 4, 2025
• Last Updated: January 26, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)