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

<b>Objectives</b>: To determine whether four weeks of <i>Rhodiola rosea</i> (RHO) supplementation improves intermittent exercise performance, post-exercise blood lactate concentrations, and decision-making under fatigue in competitive football players. <b>Methods:</b> 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. <b>Results</b>: Yo-Yo IR2 performance significantly improved in the RHO group (<i>p</i> = 0.012) and was superior to the placebo group (<i>p</i> = 0.046). For RSA, mean sprint time improved significantly from pre- to post-intervention in the RHO group (<i>p</i> = 0.017), whereas no significant change was observed in the placebo group. Post-intervention, mean sprint time was significantly better in RHO than placebo (<i>p</i> = 0.041), with no between-group difference observed at baseline. Best sprint time showed no between-group difference (<i>p</i> = 0.723). Post-exercise blood lactate concentrations were significantly lower in RHO than placebo at 0, 3, and 5 min (all <i>p</i> < 0.05). Under fatigue, the RHO group demonstrated faster reaction time (<i>p</i> = 0.042) and higher decision accuracy (<i>p</i> = 0.049) than placebo. Additionally, the RHO group showed significant pre- to post-intervention improvements in passing and shooting performance (<i>p</i> < 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 (<i>p</i> < 0.05). <b>Conclusions:</b> Four weeks of <i>Rhodiola rosea</i> supplementation enhanced high-intensity intermittent performance and decision-making under fatigue, with findings suggesting improved performance maintenance rather than increased peak sprint capacity.