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.
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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
24
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.
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.
China Football Institute, Beijing Sport University
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China
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: Time Frame: Baseline and Week 4
Best sprint time during repeated sprint test
Best sprint time (seconds) recorded during a 6 × 30 m repeated sprint test.
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and Week 4
Mean sprint time during repeated sprint test
Mean sprint time (seconds) calculated across all sprints during a 6 × 30 m repeated sprint test.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
Countermovement jump (CMJ) height
Vertical jump height will be measured using a countermovement jump test to evaluate lower-limb neuromuscular performance before and after the intervention.
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and Week 4
Decision-making reaction time
Reaction time (milliseconds) measured during a computer-based soccer-specific decision-making task. Lower values indicate faster responses.
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and Week 4
Blood lactate concentration immediately post-repeated sprint exercise
Capillary blood lactate concentration (mmol/L) measured immediately following a repeated sprint exercise to assess acute metabolic stress.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4 (immediately post-repeated sprint exercise)
Decision-making response accuracy
Response accuracy (%) measured during a computer-based soccer-specific decision-making task. Higher values indicate better performance.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
Blood lactate concentration 3 minutes post-repeated sprint exercise
Capillary blood lactate concentration (mmol/L) measured 3 minutes following a repeated sprint exercise to assess early recovery.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4 (3 minutes post-repeated sprint exercise)
Blood lactate concentration 5 minutes post-repeated sprint exercise
Capillary blood lactate concentration (mmol/L) measured 5 minutes following a repeated sprint exercise to assess late recovery.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4 (5 minutes post-repeated sprint exercise)
Hemoglobin concentration
Resting hemoglobin concentration (g/L) measured to assess oxygen-carrying capacity.
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and Week 4
Hematocrit
Resting hematocrit (%) measured to assess oxygen-carrying capacity.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 4
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