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Effects of the Combined Supplementation of Caffeine and Rhodiola Rosea with Resistance Training on Lower Limb Explosive Power in Male Volleyball Players.

  • 2025-02-14
  • Nutrients 17(4)
    • Zhaolong Wang
    • Haoyu Du
    • Huixin Li
    • Kai Zhao
    • Bingran Zhao
    • Yifei Ma
    • Jiashuo Zhang
    • Kangshuo Wu
    • Wei Jiang
    • Chang Liu

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
48 male volleyball athletes
Methods
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design was implemented involving four groups: placebo (CTR), Rhodiola rosea (RHO), caffeine (CAF), and combined (RHO + CAF). Over four weeks, participants engaged in twice-weekly high-intensity lower limb resistance training, with performance evaluated through multiple tests
Blinding
Double-blind
Duration
four weeks
  • Rigorous Journal

Background

This study investigated the effects of combined Rhodiola rosea (RHO) and caffeine (CAF) supplementation on lower limb explosive power and fatigue recovery in volleyball players, aiming to validate their potential synergistic effects.

Methods

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design was implemented involving 48 male volleyball athletes allocated into four groups: placebo (CTR), Rhodiola rosea (RHO), caffeine (CAF), and combined (RHO + CAF). Over four weeks, participants engaged in twice-weekly high-intensity lower limb resistance training, with performance evaluated through multiple tests, including two-step-approach jump height, countermovement jump (CMJ), five-jump test (5 JT), continuous 20 vertical jumps, and intermittent jump recovery alongside Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) assessments.

Results

Results showed that the combined supplementation (RHO + CAF) group exhibited significant improvement across multiple performance metrics. In particular, the combined group demonstrated the highest increases in jump height and the least power decline during high-frequency jumps, outperforming the CTR and other supplementation groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, RHO + CAF supplementation significantly lowered RPE scores, particularly in the final week of training, indicating improved perceived fatigue and recovery.

Conclusions

This study suggests that combining RHO and CAF optimizes high-intensity performance by enhancing explosive power, reducing fatigue, and improving recovery, presenting an effective nutritional strategy for volleyball athletes.

Research Insights

  • Rhodiola→Improved Jump Height

    the combined supplementation (RHO + CAF) group exhibited significant improvement across multiple performance metrics. In particular, the combined group demonstrated the highest increases in jump height

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    not specified
  • Rhodiola→Increased Jump Height

    the combined group demonstrated the highest increases in jump height

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    not specified
  • Rhodiola→Reduced Perceived Exertion

    RHO + CAF supplementation significantly lowered RPE scores, particularly in the final week of training

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    not specified
  • Rhodiola→Reduced Power Decline

    the combined group demonstrated the least power decline during high-frequency jumps

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    not specified
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