Effects of Combined Rhodiola Rosea and Caffeine Supplementation on Dancesport Performance

NCT07690085 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2026252H
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 48
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study evaluates the effects of caffeine, Rhodiola rosea, and their combined supplementation on dancesport-specific performance in male collegiate dancesport athletes. Forty-eight healthy male athletes aged 18 to 23 years will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: placebo control, caffeine, Rhodiola rosea, or combined Rhodiola rosea plus caffeine. All participants will complete the same four-week standardized cowboy-dance-specific training program. The caffeine group will receive caffeine at 3 mg·kg-¹ before testing, the Rhodiola rosea group will receive Rhodiola rosea at 2.4 g·day-¹ for four weeks, and the combined group will receive both supplementation strategies. The main purpose of this study is to determine whether these supplementation strategies improve cowboy-dance-specific explosive power, movement stability, repeated kicking performance, agility, muscular endurance, and perceived exertion. Main outcomes include the 180-degree kick straight angle, kick recoil angle, trunk anterior-posterior sway amplitude, and 30-second cowboy-kick success rate. Secondary outcomes include qualified kick count, balance, core stability, functional strength, rhythm accuracy, agility tests, hexagon jump performance, and session-RPE.

Conditions

Dancesport Performance

Keywords

Dancesport; Cowboy dance; Caffeine; Rhodiola rosea; Combined supplementation; Exercise performance; Explosive power; Movement stability; Muscular endurance; Agility; Session-RPE

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• 180-degree kick straight angle

  Maximum knee extension angle during the standardized cowboy-dance kick task. Higher values indicate better kick extension quality.

  Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention

• Kick recoil angle

  Maximum recoil angle of the kicking leg after the kick, reflecting braking control and preparation for the next beat. Higher values indicate better recovery control.

  Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention

• Trunk anterior-posterior sway amplitude

  Anterior-posterior trunk sway amplitude during continuous cowboy-dance kicking. Lower values indicate better trunk stability.

  Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention

• 30-second cowboy-kick success rate

  Percentage of qualified kicks completed during a 30-second cowboy-dance kicking task consisting of 32 kicks.

  Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention

Secondary Outcomes (10)

• 30-second cowboy-kick qualified count

  Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention

• Y-Balance Test composite score

  Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention

• Bird-dog core stability hold time

  Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention

• Lunge squat total qualified repetitions

  Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention

• Step-up total qualified repetitions

  Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention

Study Arms (4)

CTR: Placebo Control

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants received placebo capsules matched to the active supplements and completed the standardized four-week cowboy-dance-specific training program.

Dietary Supplement: Placebo; Behavioral: Standardized cowboy-dance-specific training program

CAF: Caffeine

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received caffeine at 3 mg·kg-¹ 30 minutes before testing and completed the standardized four-week cowboy-dance-specific training program

Dietary Supplement: Placebo; Dietary Supplement: Caffeine; Behavioral: Standardized cowboy-dance-specific training program

RHO: Rhodiola Rosea

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received Rhodiola rosea supplementation at 2.4 g·day-¹ for four weeks and completed the standardized four-week cowboy-dance-specific training program.

Dietary Supplement: Placebo; Dietary Supplement: Rhodiola Rosea Capsules; Behavioral: Standardized cowboy-dance-specific training program

RHO+CAF: Combined Supplementation

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received Rhodiola rosea at 2.4 g·day-¹ for four weeks plus caffeine at 3 mg·kg-¹ 30 minutes before testing, while completing the standardized four-week cowboy-dance-specific training program.

Dietary Supplement: Caffeine; Dietary Supplement: Rhodiola Rosea Capsules; Behavioral: Standardized cowboy-dance-specific training program

Interventions

Placebo DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Placebo capsules were matched to the active supplements in appearance, color, size, packaging, timing, and capsule number.

CAF: Caffeine; CTR: Placebo Control; RHO: Rhodiola Rosea

Caffeine DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Caffeine was administered acutely at 3 mg·kg-¹ 30 minutes before testing.

CAF: Caffeine; RHO+CAF: Combined Supplementation

Rhodiola Rosea Capsules DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Rhodiola rosea extract was administered at 2.4 g·day-¹ for four weeks, divided into two daily doses before breakfast and lunch.

RHO+CAF: Combined Supplementation; RHO: Rhodiola Rosea

Standardized cowboy-dance-specific training program BEHAVIORAL

All participants completed the same four-week standardized cowboy-dance-specific training program focusing on rhythm, repeated kicking, kick recoil control, trunk stability, functional strength, agility, and repeated movement quality.

CAF: Caffeine; CTR: Placebo Control; RHO+CAF: Combined Supplementation; RHO: Rhodiola Rosea

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 23 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: This study enrolled male collegiate dancesport athletes to reduce sex-related variability in performance and supplementation responses.
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Completion of PAR-Q screening indicating suitability for high-intensity exercise testing.
• Written informed consent provided before participation.

You may not qualify if:

• Lower-limb, lumbar, or back injury that may interfere with testing. Use of medications or supplements that may interact with caffeine or Rhodiola rosea.
• Contraindication to caffeine or Rhodiola rosea supplementation. Regular intake of coffee, strong tea, energy drinks, other ergogenic supplements, alcohol, or caffeine-containing products within 3 months before enrollment.
• Smoking. Inability to maintain stable training, diet, sleep, and lifestyle habits during the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Beijing Sport University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Beijing Sport University

Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100084, China

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Guest NS, VanDusseldorp TA, Nelson MT, Grgic J, Schoenfeld BJ, Jenkins NDM, Arent SM, Antonio J, Stout JR, Trexler ET, Smith-Ryan AE, Goldstein ER, Kalman DS, Campbell BI. International society of sports nutrition position stand: caffeine and exercise performance. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2021 Jan 2;18(1):1. doi: 10.1186/s12970-020-00383-4.

  PMID: 33388079 RESULT

Related Links

• Meta-analysis on caffeine intake, muscle strength, and power.
• Systematic review on Rhodiola rosea supplementation and exercise.
• https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114523001988
• Systematic review and meta-analysis on strength and conditioning in dance.

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Caffeine

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Xanthines; Alkaloids; Heterocyclic Compounds; Purinones; Purines; Heterocyclic Compounds, 2-Ring; Heterocyclic Compounds, Fused-Ring

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: QUADRUPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Participants, training supervisors, investigators, and outcome assessors were blinded to group allocation. Active supplements and placebo capsules were matched in appearance, color, size, packaging, timing, and capsule number. Randomization codes were kept by an independent researcher who was not involved in training supervision, outcome assessment, or statistical analysis.
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned to one of four parallel groups: placebo control, caffeine, Rhodiola rosea, or combined Rhodiola rosea plus caffeine. All groups completed the same four-week standardized cowboy-dance-specific training program; supplementation differed by group.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 30, 2026
• First Posted: July 8, 2026
• Study Start: April 15, 2026
• Primary Completion: June 10, 2026
• Study Completion: June 18, 2026
• Last Updated: July 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)