Short-term Rhodiola rosea supplementation improves premenstrual symptoms, reaction time, and perceived exertion in female taekwondo athletes: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Background Premenstrual symptoms may negatively influence psychological readiness, cognitive-motor performance, and perceived exertion in female athletes. Rhodiola rosea (RR) is an adaptogenic herb that has been investigated for its potential effects on fatigue, stress tolerance, mood, and exercise-related outcomes. However, its effects on premenstrual symptoms and performance-related responses in female athletes remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of short-term RR supplementation during the estimated symptomatic premenstrual phase on premenstrual symptoms, peripheral serum serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations, reaction time, perceived exertion, and aerobic performance-related indices in female taekwondo athletes with premenstrual syndrome (PMS).Methods In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 24 female taekwondo athletes with moderate-to-severe PMS symptoms were randomly assigned to receive either 500 mg/day of standardised RR extract (n = 12) or placebo (n = 12) for 10 days during the estimated symptomatic premenstrual phase. Premenstrual symptoms were assessed using the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST). Visual reaction time, peripheral serum serotonin and GABA concentrations, time to exhaustion (TTE), estimated VO₂max, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were evaluated before and after the intervention. Data were analysed using analysis of covariance with baseline values as covariates.Results Compared with placebo, RR supplementation significantly reduced several PMS symptoms, including irritability, depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, decreased concentration, hypersomnia, food cravings, crying, skin problems, and abdominal pain (p < 0.05). The RR group demonstrated faster reaction time compared with placebo (adjusted mean difference: −60 ms; p < 0.001). Peripheral serum serotonin and GABA concentrations were significantly higher in the RR group than in the placebo group (p < 0.001). In addition, RR supplementation reduced post-exercise RPE (adjusted mean difference: −1.40 Borg units; p = 0.006). However, no significant differences were observed between groups in TTE or estimated VO₂max (p > 0.05).Conclusion Short-term RR supplementation during the estimated symptomatic premenstrual phase may improve selected PMS symptoms, visual reaction time, and perceived exertion in female taekwondo athletes with PMS. Larger trials with hormonal confirmation of menstrual cycle phase, longer intervention periods, direct physiological measurements, and sport-specific performance assessments are required to confirm these findings.