Effects of Rhodiola rosea on Physical and Decision-Making Performance in Football Players: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

2026-02-24
Nutrients 18(5)
- Yue Dou
- Yaqing Wang
- Wei Zhang
- Yuewei Jiang
- Jiyao Zhang
- Tao Yang
- Ziqi Han
- Yaotong Li
- Chang Liu
- Dingmeng Ren

PubMed: 41829897
DOI: 10.3390/nu18050724

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population: 24 male competitive football players
Methods: randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled 4-week intervention (RHO vs. placebo)
Blinding: Double-blind
Duration: 4 weeks

Rigorous Journal

Objectives: To determine whether four weeks of Rhodiola rosea (RHO) supplementation improves intermittent exercise performance, post-exercise blood lactate concentrations, and decision-making under fatigue in competitive football players. Methods: Twenty-four male competitive football players completed a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled 4-week intervention (RHO vs. placebo). Outcomes included Yo-Yo IR2, repeated-sprint ability (RSA), post-RSA blood lactate (0, 3, 5 min), football-specific technical tests (passing and shooting), a video-based decision-making task (reaction time and accuracy), GPS-derived match running metrics, countermovement jump (CMJ), foot tapping (TAP), and haematological markers. Results: Yo-Yo IR2 performance significantly improved in the RHO group (p = 0.012) and was superior to the placebo group (p = 0.046). For RSA, mean sprint time improved significantly from pre- to post-intervention in the RHO group (p = 0.017), whereas no significant change was observed in the placebo group. Post-intervention, mean sprint time was significantly better in RHO than placebo (p = 0.041), with no between-group difference observed at baseline. Best sprint time showed no between-group difference (p = 0.723). Post-exercise blood lactate concentrations were significantly lower in RHO than placebo at 0, 3, and 5 min (all p < 0.05). Under fatigue, the RHO group demonstrated faster reaction time (p = 0.042) and higher decision accuracy (p = 0.049) than placebo. Additionally, the RHO group showed significant pre- to post-intervention improvements in passing and shooting performance (p < 0.05), with between-group differences observed only for short-pass performance. Match total and high-speed running distances were higher in RHO, accompanied by increases in haemoglobin and haematocrit (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Four weeks of Rhodiola rosea supplementation enhanced high-intensity intermittent performance and decision-making under fatigue, with findings suggesting improved performance maintenance rather than increased peak sprint capacity.

Research Insights

Rhodiola→Improved Attention Span
Under fatigue, the RHO group demonstrated faster reaction time (p = 0.042) and higher decision accuracy (p = 0.049) than placebo.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Rhodiola→Improved Decision Accuracy
Under fatigue, the RHO group demonstrated faster reaction time (p = 0.042) and higher decision accuracy (p = 0.049) than placebo.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Rhodiola→Improved Decision-Making Accuracy
Under fatigue, the RHO group demonstrated faster reaction time (p = 0.042) and higher decision accuracy (p = 0.049) than placebo.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Rhodiola→Improved Decision-Making Reaction Time Under Fatigue
Under fatigue, the RHO group demonstrated faster reaction time (p = 0.042) and higher decision accuracy (p = 0.049) than placebo.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Rhodiola→Improved High-Intensity Intermittent Exercise Performance
Yo-Yo IR2 performance significantly improved in the RHO group (p = 0.012) and was superior to the placebo group (p = 0.046).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Rhodiola→Improved Intermittent Exercise Performance
Yo-Yo IR2 performance significantly improved in the RHO group (p = 0.012) and was superior to the placebo group (p = 0.046).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Rhodiola→Improved Passing Performance
The RHO group showed significant pre- to post-intervention improvements in passing and shooting performance (p < 0.05), with between-group differences observed only for short-pass performance.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Rhodiola→Improved Repeated Sprint Ability
For RSA, mean sprint time improved significantly from pre- to post-intervention in the RHO group (p = 0.017), whereas no significant change was observed in the placebo group.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Rhodiola→Improved Shooting Performance
The RHO group showed significant pre- to post-intervention improvements in passing and shooting performance (p < 0.05)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Rhodiola→Improved Sprint Time
Best sprint time showed no between-group difference (p = 0.723)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Rhodiola→Increased Hemoglobin Levels
increases in haemoglobin and haematocrit (p < 0.05)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Rhodiola→Increased High-Speed Running Distance
Match total and high-speed running distances were higher in RHO
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Rhodiola→Increased Match Total Running Distance
Match total and high-speed running distances were higher in RHO
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Rhodiola→Reduced Blood Lactate
Post-exercise blood lactate concentrations were significantly lower in RHO than placebo at 0, 3, and 5 min (all p < 0.05).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate