Rhodiola trial reports strength gains, with mixed results across performance tests
A crossover study found higher leg press strength with rhodiola, but did not report consistent cycling effects or establish a preferred dose.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Short-term rhodiola was linked to improvements in some resistance tests in trained adults, including leg press strength compared with both the no-capsule control and placebo. Cycling results were inconsistent. The abstract does not establish that either dose is better overall, and several reported benefits are comparisons with taking no capsules rather than with placebo.
The abstract omits the actual supplement doses and detailed placebo comparisons for several outcomes. Reported significance in separate dose arms does not establish a difference between those doses.
What researchers found
Leg press single-repetition maximum
Low- and high-dose rhodiola, respectively, versus no capsules on day 7 (both p < 0.001). Placebo comparisons were significant; their effect sizes were not reported.
Several kinds of performance were tested
The study assessed lifting strength, repeated lifting, power, cycling and performance on the Stroop cognitive test. Some lifting measures improved, while cycling showed no consistent response, so the findings varied across tasks.
Cognitive results need comparator context
Stroop scores improved relative to the no-capsule condition. The abstract does not clearly assign those reported score ranges to individual conditions or give the corresponding placebo comparisons, limiting conclusions about a specific cognitive benefit from rhodiola.
The original publication
Dose-Response Effects of Short-Term Rhodiola rosea (Golden Root Extract) Supplementation on Anaerobic Exercise Performance and Cognitive Function in Resistance-Trained Athletes: A Randomized, Crossover, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Study.
Koozehchian MS, Newton AT, Mabrey G et al.
Nutrients · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41374026
- Record checked
AI-assisted research and writing. This explains one selected publication; it is not a complete review of everything known. Our approach.
One more question, understood.
Keep track of the research you’ve explored.