NCT07366320

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

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

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 24 (actual)
• Sponsor: Beijing Sport University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Male
• Age: 18 Years – 30 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

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.

Detailed description

This study is a prospective, double-blind supplementation study conducted in competitive male football players to examine the effects of short-term Rhodiola rosea intake on physical and cognitive performance under regular training conditions. Participants continue their habitual football training while receiving either Rhodiola rosea supplementation or a placebo for four weeks. Performance assessments are conducted before and after the intervention period under standardized conditions. The study aims to explore whether Rhodiola rosea supplementation may support adaptations related to high-intensity exercise performance, neuromuscular function, and decision-making ability in competitive football players.

Conditions

• Physical Performance and Fatigue in Competitive Football Players

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT	Rhodiola rosea extract	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.
OTHER	Placebo	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.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-08-30
• Primary completion: 2025-09-27
• Completion: 2025-10-04
• First posted: 2026-01-26
• Last updated: 2026-01-26

Locations

1 site across 1 country: China