An interventional study of Rhodiola rosea, L and Placebo Comparator in Healthy, sponsored by Beijing Sport University. Completed at 1 site in China. Open to male participants aged 18 Years to 25 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-11-20.
Sponsored by Beijing Sport University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Other
This study aims to evaluate the effects of short-term Rhodiola rosea supplementation on simulated game performance, perceived fatigue, and aerobic capacity in basketball players. The participants will include 48 professional male basketball players aged 18-25 years, all from Beijing Sport University and holding at least a national level-2 athlete certification.
The key research questions are as follows:
Does Rhodiola rosea supplementation improve the total completion time of simulated games? Does it reduce post-simulation heart rate and perceived fatigue while enhancing aerobic capacity (e.g., maximal oxygen uptake) and antioxidant indicators?
To address these questions, researchers will compare the Rhodiola rosea supplementation group (RHO group) with the control group (CTR group). Participants will be required to:
Consume Rhodiola rosea supplements or placebos (empty capsules) daily for 28 consecutive days on an empty stomach.
Complete simulated game tests-including sprints, defensive slides, and layups-with total completion time and heart rate recovery recorded.
Provide blood samples for the measurement of biochemical indicators such as total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase activity, and creatine kinase.
Complete a series of physical fitness tests, including the countermovement jump (CMJ) test, 5-km run, YO-YO Intermittent Recovery Test, and maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) test.
This study is a randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial aimed at evaluating the effects of short-term Rhodiola rosea supplementation on simulated game performance, perceived fatigue, physical fitness indicators, and biochemical parameters in professional basketball players. The study participants included 48 male basketball players from Beijing Sport University, all of whom were national level 2 athletes or above, ensuring a consistent training background and sports experience. The experimental design employed a strict randomization method, dividing participants into a Rhodiola rosea supplementation group (RHO group) and a control group (CTR group), with double-blind measures implemented to minimize potential bias. For example, the RHO group received a daily dose of 2.4 g of Rhodiola rosea extract (containing 0.5 g of salidroside per 100 g of raw material), while the CTR group consumed identical-looking empty capsules. All supplements were administered in a fasted state, twice daily, 30 minutes before breakfast and lunch, accompanied by an equal volume of water to control for placebo effects. Additionally, participants' daily dietary intake, including total calories, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, was recorded throughout the study period to exclude nutritional factors as potential confounders.
In terms of experimental procedures, participants first completed baseline health assessments and physical measurements, followed by a 28-day supplementation period. Key testing sessions included simulated game testing, physical fitness tests, and blood sample collection. The simulated game test record the total time taken by participants to complete the simulated game, which includes common on-court movements such as sprints, defensive slides, and step-backs. Physical fitness tests covered multiple dimensions: the vertical jump test (CMJ) ; the YO-YO intermittent recovery test; the maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) test; the 5 km running test; heart rate monitoring used Polar HR monitors, with data recorded before and after tests to assess fatigue recovery.
Blood sample collection was conducted before the simulated game, with participants fasting for 8-12 hours. Venous blood samples were collected uniformly between 8:00 and 8:30 AM, followed by centrifugation to separate plasma and red blood cells, which were stored at -80°C for subsequent analysis. Biochemical indicators included plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, and creatine kinase (CK) activity. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 26) and GraphPad Prism (version 9.0), with continuous variables presented as mean ± standard deviation. Normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and a 2×2 mixed-design ANOVA [group (CTR vs. RHO) × time (pre-test vs. post-test)] was employed to evaluate intervention effects.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants in this arm will receive daily Rhodiola capsules for 28 days. They will undergo simulated basketball game tests and physical fitness assessments (sprint, endurance, jump tests) before and after the supplementation period.
Dietary Supplement: Rhodiola rosea, L
Participants in this arm will receive daily placebo capsules (empty capsules identical in appearance to Rhodiola) for 28 days. They will undergo the same simulated basketball game tests and physical fitness assessments (sprint, endurance, jump tests) before and after the intervention period, without knowing their group assignment.
Other: Placebo Comparator
Participants in this arm will receive daily capsules containing Rhodiola Rosea for 28 days. The capsules are identical in appearance to placebo capsules. The intervention aims to evaluate the effects of Rhodiola supplementation on basketball players' simulated game performance, sprint times, perceived fatigue, aerobic capacity, and antioxidant markers. Participants will undergo baseline and post-intervention physical fitness assessments, including sprint tests, endurance tests, Countermovement Jump (CMJ), heart rate recovery, and simulated game tasks.
Also known as: Golden Root, Arctic Root, R. rosea
Participants in this arm will receive daily placebo capsules (identical in appearance to Rhodiola capsules) for 28 days. This group serves as a control to compare the effects of Rhodiola supplementation on basketball players' simulated game performance, sprint times, perceived fatigue, aerobic capacity, and antioxidant markers. Participants will complete the same baseline and post-intervention physical fitness assessments as the experimental group.
Total completion time of the simulated game
Time frame: Baseline and after 28 days of supplementation
Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
Time frame: Baseline and after 28 days of supplementation
Heart rate recovery
Time frame: Baseline and after 28 days of supplementation
Total distance in the YO-YO intermittent recovery test
Time frame: Baseline and after 28 days of supplementation
Countermovement jump (CMJ) height
Time frame: Baseline and after 28 days of supplementation
Maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max)
Time frame: Baseline and after 28 days of supplementation
5 km running time
Time frame: Baseline and after 28 days of supplementation
Plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC)
Time frame: Baseline and after 28 days of supplementation
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity
Time frame: Baseline and after 28 days of supplementation
Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration
Time frame: Baseline and after 28 days of supplementation
Creatine kinase (CK) activity
Time frame: Baseline and after 28 days of supplementation
BMI(kg/m^2)
Time frame: Baseline and after 28 days of supplementation
Plan to share: Yes — De-identified individual participant data (IPD) from this study will be made available to other researchers for academic purposes upon reasonable request, following publication of the study results. Data sharing will comply with privacy regulations and institutional guidelines.
Supporting information: Study protocol, Sap
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