Clinical Research Directory

Wearable tDCS and Acute Golf Shot Performance

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been investigated as an ergogenic aid for two decades, but most sport evidence comes from laboratory stimulators operated by experimenters. This trial evaluates whether a single 20-minute session of wearable, app-controlled bilateral motor-cortex tDCS (Halo Sport 2, 2 mA) improves full-swing golf shot performance compared with sham stimulation. The study is a double-blind, sham-controlled, parallel-group randomized trial with a pre-test/post-test design in golfers stratified into professional, amateur-high, and amateur-middle skill groups. Each participant attends a single session comprising a 40-shot pre-test, 20 minutes of real or sham stimulation, and a 40-shot post-test, with shots measured by a TrackMan 4 launch monitor across eight standardized club categories. The primary outcomes are change scores (post minus pre) in carry distance, ball speed, smash factor, within-player carry-distance variability, and absolute lateral deviation. Effects will be examined overall and as a function of skill level (categorical group and continuous golf handicap).

Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Physical Function, Muscle Adaptations, and Performance in Roller Skaters

This randomized controlled trial evaluates the effects of adding blood flow restriction training to regular roller skating training on neuromuscular function under non-fatigued and fatigued conditions, muscle morphology, body composition, physiological responses, lower-limb strength, and roller skating performance in competitive roller skaters. Thirty participants aged 18 to 25 years will be randomly assigned to either a blood flow restriction training group or a regular training control group. Both groups will complete the same standardized 10-week roller skating training program. The blood flow restriction training group will wear pressure cuffs individualized according to each participant's arterial occlusion pressure during selected training sessions three times per week, while the control group will complete the same training without blood flow restriction. Before and after the intervention, participants will complete standardized assessments of muscle morphology using musculoskeletal ultrasound, body composition using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and lower-limb strength using handheld dynamometry and one-repetition maximum tests. Physiological responses will be evaluated using blood lactate concentration and heart rate variability. Roller skating performance will be assessed using sprint, repeated-sprint, and endurance skating tests. Neuromuscular function, jump performance, and balance will also be assessed under both non-fatigued and fatigued conditions. Surface electromyography and force-platform data will be collected simultaneously during selected jump and single-leg balance tasks. The Y-Balance Test will be conducted separately without surface electromyography. The study aims to determine whether blood flow restriction training improves muscle and neuromuscular adaptations, body composition, strength, physiological responses, and roller skating performance, and whether it helps roller skaters maintain neuromuscular function, jump performance, and balance during fatigue.

Neuro-Athletic Training on Goalkeeper Performance

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of an 8-week neuro-athletic training (NAT) program on dynamic balance, explosive strength, grip strength, and agility in elite soccer goalkeepers. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving NAT in addition to regular training or a control group continuing standard training. Pre- and post-intervention performance assessments were conducted to determine the effectiveness of the intervention.

Integrated Neuromuscular Training for Repeated Jumping Performance in Collegiate Volleyball Players

This randomized controlled study evaluated whether adding integrated neuromuscular training (INT) to regular volleyball instruction could improve repeated jumping performance in collegiate volleyball players. Thirty-four participants were randomly assigned to an INT group or a control group. Both groups continued the same conventional volleyball instruction, while the INT group also received structured neuromuscular training twice per week for 9 weeks. The INT program included plyometric exercises, strength training, core stabilization, and speed-agility drills. Repeated jumping performance was assessed before the intervention, immediately after the 9-week intervention, and after a further 3-week follow-up period. Participants completed three Continuous Countermovement Semi-Squat Jump (CCSJ) protocols: five consecutive jumps, continuous jumping for 15 seconds, and continuous jumping for 30 seconds. Outcomes included jump height, peak force, mean force, and fatigue index.

Acute Effects of Neuroathletic Training-Integrated Resistance Training in Collegiate Athletes

This study investigated the acute and short-term effects of neuroathletic training (NAT)-integrated resistance training compared with conventional resistance training on physical and neuromuscular performance in collegiate athletes. Fifty-eight collegiate athletes completed two experimental resistance training sessions separated by one week. The conventional resistance training condition was performed first, followed one week later by a NAT-integrated resistance training condition. Both sessions included the same lower-extremity resistance exercises, training volume, intensity, exercise order, and rest intervals. During the NAT-integrated condition, visual, vestibular, gaze-stabilization, and proprioceptive drills were incorporated before selected resistance sets and during rest intervals. Sprint acceleration, bilateral and unilateral jump performance, eccentric hamstring strength, bilateral hamstring maximum difference, and sit-and-reach flexibility were assessed before training, immediately after training, 15 minutes after training, and 30 minutes after training.

Bench Press During Squat Conditioning and PAPE

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether adding a moderate-load bench press exercise during the recovery periods between sets of back squats affects subsequent jumping performance in competitive male basketball players. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does adding bench press exercise during recovery periods affect countermovement jump height following the squat conditioning activity? Does adding bench press exercise affect the timing and magnitude of the post-activation performance enhancement response? Researchers will compare a squat-only group with a squat plus bench press group to see if performing bench press exercise during the recovery periods affects subsequent jumping performance. Participants will: Perform three sets of three back squat repetitions at 85% of their one-repetition maximum, with 3-minute recovery periods between sets. Participants in the squat plus bench press group will additionally perform three bench press repetitions at 75% of their one-repetition maximum during the recovery periods. Perform countermovement jumps before the conditioning activity and 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes after the final squat set.

Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Neuromuscular Function and Performance in Artistic Jump Rope Athletes

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate whether blood flow restriction training can improve physical function and sports performance in artistic jump rope athletes. The study will include 30 healthy artistic jump rope athletes aged 18 to 25 years. The main questions this study aims to answer are: 1. Does blood flow restriction training improve neuromuscular function compared with conventional training? 2. Does blood flow restriction training improve muscle strength, power, body composition, physiological responses, and artistic jump rope performance? Researchers will compare participants receiving blood flow restriction training with participants performing conventional training to determine whether blood flow restriction training provides additional benefits. Participants will complete an 8-week training program and undergo assessments before and after the intervention, including muscle function tests, physical performance tests, body composition measurements, and physiological response evaluations.

Effects of Microdosed Plyometric Training on Lower-Limb Neuromuscular Function and Sport-Specific Performance in Rope-Skipping Athletes

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare two ways of scheduling plyometric training in rope-skipping athletes. The study will examine whether short and frequent training sessions have different effects on lower-limb muscle function, rope-skipping performance, and perceived fatigue compared with longer training sessions performed less often. Approximately 60 rope-skipping athletes will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. Both groups will continue their regular rope-skipping training and complete an additional 8-week plyometric training program. One group will perform short plyometric training sessions five days per week. The other group will perform concentrated plyometric training sessions twice per week. The exercise content, weekly training volume, and training progression will be kept as similar as possible between the two groups. Researchers will assess lower-limb muscle function and rope-skipping-specific performance before and after the intervention. Training attendance, completion, perceived exertion, muscle soreness, and adverse events will also be recorded. The study aims to determine whether distributing plyometric training across more frequent and shorter sessions produces different training effects from concentrating the training into fewer sessions.

Myofascial Line Training Effects on Mobility and Endurance in Adolescent Football Players

This study compared the effects of two myofascial chain training programs - the Superficial Posterior Line (PL) and the Spiral Line (SL) - on joint mobility and myofascial isometric endurance in adolescent male football players. Thirty-eight licensed male players (ages 15-16) were enrolled in a randomized crossover trial consisting of two 6-week training phases (12 weeks total), with follow-up measurements at week 16. Each program was delivered twice weekly in 30-minute sessions alongside regular club training. Joint mobility was assessed using goniometry (shoulder flexion, hip flexion, hip extension, popliteal angle), and myofascial isometric endurance was evaluated using the Bunkie Test across five lines (APL, PPL, PSL, LSL, MSL).

Load-Matched Unilateral Versus Bilateral Squat Training in Elite Youth Futsal Players

This randomised controlled trial compared the effects of two load-matched squat training modalities on physical performance in elite youth futsal players. Seventeen players from the Antioqueña regional futsal squad in Colombia were randomly allocated to either a unilateral squat training group or a bilateral squat training group. Both groups completed a six-week velocity-based training programme, with two supervised sessions per week, while continuing their usual futsal training. Training intensity was prescribed using mean propulsive velocity targets across three two-week blocks. The main outcomes were countermovement jump height, single-leg countermovement jump height for the right and left limbs, 10-metre sprint time, and estimated squat one-repetition maximum. Secondary descriptive data included 20-metre sprint time. The study aimed to determine whether unilateral squat training produced superior adaptations compared with bilateral squat training when training load was objectively standardised.

Effect of Plant vs Animal Protein Supplementation on Body Composition in Youth Soccer Players

This prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial investigates the comparative effects of plant-based protein (soy and rice blend) versus animal-based protein (whey) supplementation on body composition parameters in elite male youth soccer players. Twenty-five players (ages 16-18.7 years) from Udinese Calcio's Primavera (U-19) category are randomized into three groups: Plant Protein Group (n=8), Animal Protein Group (n=9), and Placebo Group (n=8). The intervention consists of post-training protein supplementation (17g protein/dose) administered within 15-30 minutes after each training session over a 4-week microcycle during the competitive season. Body composition is assessed using a multi-compartmental model including anthropometry (ISAK protocol), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).