Cited by 68Medicinal Plants and Bioactive CompoundsExercise and Physiological ResponsesGinseng Biological Effects and Applications

Effects of Rhodiola rosea supplementation on mental performance, physical capacity, and oxidative stress biomarkers in healthy men

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Jówko, Ewa, Sadowski, Jerzy, Długołęcka, Barbara, Gierczuk, Dariusz, Opaszowski, Benedykt, Cieśliński, Igor·2018·Journal of Sport and Health Science

Abstract

Purpose The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic Rhodiola rosea ( R. rosea ) supplementation on mental and physical performance, as well as hormonal and oxidative stress biomarkers. Methods Twenty-six healthy male students received either R. rosea extract (600 mg/day; RR) or placebo (PL) in a randomized double-blind trial. Prior to supplementation (Term I) and following 4 weeks of supplementation (Term II), the students underwent psychomotor tests for simple and choice reaction time, included in the Vienna Test System. Also, the subjects performed VO 2peak test. Blood samples were obtained before and after the test to measure the hormonal profile (cortisol, testosterone, and growth hormone), as well as the biomarkers of oxidative stress (lipid hydroperoxides, total antioxidant capacity, and superoxide dismutase) and muscle damage (creatine kinase). Results R. rosea ingestion shortened reaction time and total response time. Moreover, a greater relative increase in the number of correct responses was observed in RR group as compared to the PL group. No changes in endurance exercise capacity and hormonal profile were observed after R. rosea ingestion. R. rosea ingestion raised plasma total antioxidant capacity. It did not, however, affect other measured parameters. Conclusion Chronic R. rosea ingestion does not affect physical performance, but can improve the results of some psychomotor tests (simple and choice reaction time) in young, healthy, and physically active men. The improvements in mental performance, however, at least in our study, seem not to be related to changes in cortisol release or antioxidant activity of R. rosea extract. Thus, the specific mechanisms responsible for these effects still need to be elucidated.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jshs.2016.05.005

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  • The intake of Rhodiola rosea is not associated with serious side effects.

    “The intake of Rhodiola rosea is not associated with serious side effects [77,78,79,80,81,82,83,84,85,86].”

    From Plant Adaptogens—History and Future Perspectives (2021) · cites this paper as [78]

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  1. [38]Luzzi R. Belcaro G. Zulli C. Cesarone M.R. Cornelli U. Dugall M. Pycnogenol® supplementation improves cognitive function, attention and mental performance in students Panminerva Med 53 2011 75 82 22108481

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Authors
Jówko, E., Sadowski, J., Długołęcka, B., Gierczuk, D., Opaszowski, B., & Cieśliński, I.
Affiliations
  • Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw (PL)
  • Instytut Sportu (PL)
Corresponding author
Jówko, Ewa
Venue
Journal of Sport and Health Science
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2018-10
Volume
7
Issue
4
Pages
473-480
ISSN
  • 2213-2961 (ISSN-L)
  • 2095-2546
OpenAlex
W2399961654
Cited by
68
References
38
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 4
FWCI
1.56
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of sport and health science/Journal of Sport and Health Science (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport in Biala Podlaska (BW/III/27)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Compounds
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Ginseng Biological Effects and Applications
Keywords
Rhodiola rosea, herbal supplementation, cognitive performance, psychomotor reaction time, physical performance, oxidative stress, total antioxidant capacity, cortisol, testosterone, growth hormone, creatine kinase, muscle damage, endurance exercise capacity, healthy young men

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