An interventional study of Placebo and Caffeine in Dancesport Performance, sponsored by Beijing Sport University. Completed at 1 site in China. Open to male participants aged 18 Years to 23 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-08.
Sponsored by Beijing Sport University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Other
This study evaluates the effects of caffeine, Rhodiola rosea, and their combined supplementation on dancesport-specific performance in male collegiate dancesport athletes. Forty-eight healthy male athletes aged 18 to 23 years will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: placebo control, caffeine, Rhodiola rosea, or combined Rhodiola rosea plus caffeine. All participants will complete the same four-week standardized cowboy-dance-specific training program. The caffeine group will receive caffeine at 3 mg·kg-¹ before testing, the Rhodiola rosea group will receive Rhodiola rosea at 2.4 g·day-¹ for four weeks, and the combined group will receive both supplementation strategies.
The main purpose of this study is to determine whether these supplementation strategies improve cowboy-dance-specific explosive power, movement stability, repeated kicking performance, agility, muscular endurance, and perceived exertion. Main outcomes include the 180-degree kick straight angle, kick recoil angle, trunk anterior-posterior sway amplitude, and 30-second cowboy-kick success rate. Secondary outcomes include qualified kick count, balance, core stability, functional strength, rhythm accuracy, agility tests, hexagon jump performance, and session-RPE.
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study is designed to examine the effects of caffeine, Rhodiola rosea, and combined supplementation on cowboy-dance-specific performance in male collegiate dancesport athletes. The study uses a four-arm design with 48 participants randomly assigned equally to placebo control, caffeine, Rhodiola rosea, or combined Rhodiola rosea plus caffeine groups.
All participants will complete a standardized four-week cowboy-dance-specific training program. The training program focuses on dance-specific rhythm, repeated kicking, kick recoil control, trunk stability, lower-limb explosive actions, functional strength, agility, and repeated movement quality. The control group will receive placebo capsules. The caffeine group will receive caffeine at 3 mg·kg-¹ before testing. The Rhodiola rosea group will receive Rhodiola rosea at 2.4 g·day-¹ for four weeks. The combined supplementation group will receive Rhodiola rosea for four weeks and caffeine before testing.
Performance will be assessed at baseline and immediately after the four-week intervention. Primary outcomes include the 180-degree kick straight angle, kick recoil angle, trunk anterior-posterior sway amplitude, and 30-second cowboy-kick success rate. Secondary outcomes include 30-second qualified kick count, Y-Balance Test composite score, bird-dog core stability hold time, lunge squat and step-up qualified repetitions, 45-second high-knee rhythm accuracy, 505 change-of-direction time, Illinois agility run time, hexagon jump time, and session-RPE.
This study aims to clarify whether caffeine mainly supports rapid movement initiation and agility, whether Rhodiola rosea mainly supports movement stability and perceived load regulation, and whether combined supplementation provides broader benefits for cowboy-dance-specific movement quality.
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Inclusion Criteria Male collegiate student aged 18 to 23 years. At least 3 years of systematic dancesport training experience. Stable dancesport training exposure, at least 3 sessions per week. Ability to complete the 4-week cowboy-dance-specific training program and pre/post performance testing.
Completion of PAR-Q screening indicating suitability for high-intensity exercise testing.
Written informed consent provided before participation.
Exclusion Criteria Current or previous neuromuscular disease, severe cardiovascular disease, or musculoskeletal injury affecting lower-limb or trunk performance.
Lower-limb, lumbar, or back injury that may interfere with testing. Use of medications or supplements that may interact with caffeine or Rhodiola rosea.
Contraindication to caffeine or Rhodiola rosea supplementation. Regular intake of coffee, strong tea, energy drinks, other ergogenic supplements, alcohol, or caffeine-containing products within 3 months before enrollment.
Smoking. Inability to maintain stable training, diet, sleep, and lifestyle habits during the study.
Participants received placebo capsules matched to the active supplements and completed the standardized four-week cowboy-dance-specific training program.
Dietary Supplement: Placebo · Behavioral: Standardized cowboy-dance-specific training program
Participants received caffeine at 3 mg·kg-¹ 30 minutes before testing and completed the standardized four-week cowboy-dance-specific training program
Dietary Supplement: Placebo · Dietary Supplement: Caffeine · Behavioral: Standardized cowboy-dance-specific training program
Participants received Rhodiola rosea supplementation at 2.4 g·day-¹ for four weeks and completed the standardized four-week cowboy-dance-specific training program.
Dietary Supplement: Placebo · Dietary Supplement: Rhodiola Rosea Capsules · Behavioral: Standardized cowboy-dance-specific training program
Participants received Rhodiola rosea at 2.4 g·day-¹ for four weeks plus caffeine at 3 mg·kg-¹ 30 minutes before testing, while completing the standardized four-week cowboy-dance-specific training program.
Dietary Supplement: Caffeine · Dietary Supplement: Rhodiola Rosea Capsules · Behavioral: Standardized cowboy-dance-specific training program
Placebo capsules were matched to the active supplements in appearance, color, size, packaging, timing, and capsule number.
Caffeine was administered acutely at 3 mg·kg-¹ 30 minutes before testing.
Rhodiola rosea extract was administered at 2.4 g·day-¹ for four weeks, divided into two daily doses before breakfast and lunch.
All participants completed the same four-week standardized cowboy-dance-specific training program focusing on rhythm, repeated kicking, kick recoil control, trunk stability, functional strength, agility, and repeated movement quality.
180-degree kick straight angle
Maximum knee extension angle during the standardized cowboy-dance kick task. Higher values indicate better kick extension quality.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention
Kick recoil angle
Maximum recoil angle of the kicking leg after the kick, reflecting braking control and preparation for the next beat. Higher values indicate better recovery control.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention
Trunk anterior-posterior sway amplitude
Anterior-posterior trunk sway amplitude during continuous cowboy-dance kicking. Lower values indicate better trunk stability.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention
30-second cowboy-kick success rate
Percentage of qualified kicks completed during a 30-second cowboy-dance kicking task consisting of 32 kicks.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention
30-second cowboy-kick qualified count
Number of qualified kicks completed during the 30-second cowboy-dance kicking task.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention
Y-Balance Test composite score
Composite dynamic balance score derived from the Y-Balance Test.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention
Bird-dog core stability hold time
Effective hold time during the standardized bird-dog core stability task.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention
Lunge squat total qualified repetitions
Total number of qualified repetitions completed across four sets of lunge squat exercise.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention
Step-up total qualified repetitions
Total number of qualified repetitions completed across four sets of step-up exercise.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention
45-second high-knee rhythm accuracy
Percentage of rhythm-accurate movements during the 45-second high-knee task.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention
505 change-of-direction best time
Best completion time in the 505 change-of-direction test. Lower time indicates better agility.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention
Illinois agility run best time
Best completion time in the Illinois agility run. Lower time indicates better agility.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention
Hexagon jump best time
Best completion time in the hexagon jump test. Lower time indicates better multidirectional jumping ability.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention
Session-RPE
Rating of perceived exertion recorded after completion of the testing session.
Time frame: Immediately after post-intervention testing
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data will not be publicly shared because of participant privacy and ethics restrictions. De-identified summary data may be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author.
This study is completed, as verified in Jun 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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