Dancesport Performance
Conditions
Keywords
Dancesport, Cowboy dance, Caffeine, Rhodiola rosea, Combined supplementation, Exercise performance, Explosive power, Movement stability, Muscular endurance, Agility, Session-RPE
Brief summary
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.
Detailed description
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.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPlacebo
Placebo capsules were matched to the active supplements in appearance, color, size, packaging, timing, and capsule number.
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTCaffeine
Caffeine was administered acutely at 3 mg·kg-¹ 30 minutes before testing.
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTRhodiola Rosea Capsules
Rhodiola rosea extract was administered at 2.4 g·day-¹ for four weeks, divided into two daily doses before breakfast and lunch.
BEHAVIORALStandardized cowboy-dance-specific training program
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.
Sponsors
Beijing Sport University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Participants, training supervisors, investigators, and outcome assessors were blinded to group allocation. Active supplements and placebo capsules were matched in appearance, color, size, packaging, timing, and capsule number. Randomization codes were kept by an independent researcher who was not involved in training supervision, outcome assessment, or statistical analysis.
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly assigned to one of four parallel groups: placebo control, caffeine, Rhodiola rosea, or combined Rhodiola rosea plus caffeine. All groups completed the same four-week standardized cowboy-dance-specific training program; supplementation differed by group.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 23 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
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.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 180-degree kick straight angle | Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention | Maximum knee extension angle during the standardized cowboy-dance kick task. Higher values indicate better kick extension quality. |
| Kick recoil angle | Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention | 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. |
| Trunk anterior-posterior sway amplitude | Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention | Anterior-posterior trunk sway amplitude during continuous cowboy-dance kicking. Lower values indicate better trunk stability. |
| 30-second cowboy-kick success rate | Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention | Percentage of qualified kicks completed during a 30-second cowboy-dance kicking task consisting of 32 kicks. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 30-second cowboy-kick qualified count | Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention | Number of qualified kicks completed during the 30-second cowboy-dance kicking task. |
| Y-Balance Test composite score | Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention | Composite dynamic balance score derived from the Y-Balance Test. |
| Bird-dog core stability hold time | Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention | Effective hold time during the standardized bird-dog core stability task. |
| Lunge squat total qualified repetitions | Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention | Total number of qualified repetitions completed across four sets of lunge squat exercise. |
| Step-up total qualified repetitions | Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention | Total number of qualified repetitions completed across four sets of step-up exercise. |
| 45-second high-knee rhythm accuracy | Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention | Percentage of rhythm-accurate movements during the 45-second high-knee task. |
| 505 change-of-direction best time | Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention | Best completion time in the 505 change-of-direction test. Lower time indicates better agility. |
| Illinois agility run best time | Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention | Best completion time in the Illinois agility run. Lower time indicates better agility. |
| Hexagon jump best time | Baseline and immediately after 4-week intervention | Best completion time in the hexagon jump test. Lower time indicates better multidirectional jumping ability. |
| Session-RPE | Immediately after post-intervention testing | Rating of perceived exertion recorded after completion of the testing session. |
Countries
China
Outcome results
None listed