Rhodiola rosea supplementation on sports performance: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

2023-07-26
Phytotherapy research : PTR 37(10)
- Patricia M Sanz-Barrio
- Eric E Noreen
- Laura Gilsanz-Estebaranz
- Jorge Lorenzo-Calvo
- María Martínez-Ferrán
- Helios Pareja-Galeano

PubMed: 37495266
DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7950

Study Design

Type: Systematic Review
Sample size: n = 263
Population: 13 studies with 263 participants (198 men and 65 women between 18 and 65 years old)
Methods: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials; databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library; studies published until March 2023

The aim of this systematic review was to determine whether the supplementation with Rhodiola rosea (RR), an herb that has been used for centuries for its various properties, can have an effect on muscle damage and physical performance. The databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were used to find studies published until March 2023. Randomized controlled trials, healthy participants, and no use of other supplements. The search strategy was conducted by two independent reviewers, and specific information was extracted from the selected studies. Thirteen studies were included with 263 participants (198 men and 65 women between 18 and 65 years old). Two studies followed acute supplementation, 5 chronic, and 6 combined both. The results were heterogenous, having 11 studies with some positive effects, while 2 studies show no effect in variables such as rating of perceive exertion, heart rate, antioxidant capacity, blood lactate, creatine kinase, or C-reactive protein. Two limitations were found, firstly, the difference between supplementation and exercise protocols, and secondly, the existence of unclear or high risk of bias in most of the studies included. Acute supplementation with RR has a positive effect on endurance performance and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Chronic supplementation has a positive effect on anaerobic exercise performance, but not endurance exercise performance. Chronic supplementation may positively impact muscle damage during exercise. However, more high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of RR.

Research Insights

Rhodiola→Improved Anaerobic Exercise Performance
Chronic supplementation has a positive effect on anaerobic exercise performance
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Rhodiola→Improved Endurance
Chronic supplementation has a positive effect on anaerobic exercise performance, but not endurance exercise performance.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Rhodiola→Increased Antioxidant Capacity
The results were heterogenous, having 11 studies with some positive effects, while 2 studies show no effect in variables such as rating of perceive exertion, heart rate, antioxidant capacity, blood lactate, creatine kinase, or C-reactive protein.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Rhodiola→Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels
The results were heterogenous, having 11 studies with some positive effects, while 2 studies show no effect in variables such as rating of perceive exertion, heart rate, antioxidant capacity, blood lactate, creatine kinase, or C-reactive protein.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Rhodiola→Reduced Creatine Kinase Level
The results were heterogenous, having 11 studies with some positive effects, while 2 studies show no effect in variables such as rating of perceive exertion, heart rate, antioxidant capacity, blood lactate, creatine kinase, or C-reactive protein.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Rhodiola→Reduced Heart Rate
The results were heterogenous, having 11 studies with some positive effects, while 2 studies show no effect in variables such as rating of perceive exertion, heart rate, antioxidant capacity, blood lactate, creatine kinase, or C-reactive protein.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Rhodiola→Reduced Lactate Levels
The results were heterogenous, having 11 studies with some positive effects, while 2 studies show no effect in variables such as rating of perceive exertion, heart rate, antioxidant capacity, blood lactate, creatine kinase, or C-reactive protein.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Rhodiola→Reduced Muscle Damage
Chronic supplementation may positively impact muscle damage during exercise.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Rhodiola→Reduced Rating of Perceived Exertion
Acute supplementation with RR has a positive effect on ... rating of perceived exertion (RPE)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small