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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07366320

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

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Physical Performance and Fatigue in Competitive Football Players Fatigue Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

China Football Institute, Beijing Sport University

Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100084, China

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 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

Exclusion criteria

  • 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

Treatment and study plan

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.

Other names: Rhodiola

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.

Other names: Placebo capsule

Primary outcomes

  1. Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2 (Yo-Yo IR2) distance

    Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and Week 4

    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.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Best sprint time during repeated sprint test

    Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and Week 4

    Best sprint time (seconds) recorded during a 6 × 30 m repeated sprint test.

  2. Mean sprint time during repeated sprint test

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 4

    Mean sprint time (seconds) calculated across all sprints during a 6 × 30 m repeated sprint test.

  3. Countermovement jump (CMJ) height

    Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and Week 4

    Vertical jump height will be measured using a countermovement jump test to evaluate lower-limb neuromuscular performance before and after the intervention.

  4. Decision-making reaction time

    Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and Week 4

    Reaction time (milliseconds) measured during a computer-based soccer-specific decision-making task. Lower values indicate faster responses.

  5. Blood lactate concentration immediately post-repeated sprint exercise

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

    Capillary blood lactate concentration (mmol/L) measured immediately following a repeated sprint exercise to assess acute metabolic stress.

  6. Decision-making response accuracy

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 4

    Response accuracy (%) measured during a computer-based soccer-specific decision-making task. Higher values indicate better performance.

  7. Blood lactate concentration 3 minutes post-repeated sprint exercise

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 4 (3 minutes post-repeated sprint exercise)

    Capillary blood lactate concentration (mmol/L) measured 3 minutes following a repeated sprint exercise to assess early recovery.

  8. Blood lactate concentration 5 minutes post-repeated sprint exercise

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 4 (5 minutes post-repeated sprint exercise)

    Capillary blood lactate concentration (mmol/L) measured 5 minutes following a repeated sprint exercise to assess late recovery.

  9. Hemoglobin concentration

    Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and Week 4

    Resting hemoglobin concentration (g/L) measured to assess oxygen-carrying capacity.

  10. Hematocrit

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 4

    Resting hematocrit (%) measured to assess oxygen-carrying capacity.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Beijing Sport University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

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

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jan 26, 2026
Registry last updated
Jan 26, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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