Clinical Research Directory

Effects of Bicarbonate Spring Water Immersion on Cognitive Reliability and Post-Maximal Exercise Recovery in Adolescent Rowers During Altitude Training: A Sex-Stratified Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of hot spring bath therapy on cognitive function recovery, cerebral hemodynamics, and athletic performance in athletes undergoing altitude training. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a hot spring intervention group, a hot water control group, or a blank control group. The hot spring intervention group receives hot spring baths (38°C, 20 minutes) combined with altitude training; the hot water control group receives hot water baths (38°C, 20 minutes) combined with altitude training; and the blank control group receives standard recovery procedures combined with altitude training. Primary outcome measures include cognitive performance assessments (Stroop test, psychomotor vigilance test) and cerebral hemodynamic indicators (functional near-infrared spectroscopy, transcranial Doppler ultrasound). Secondary outcomes included exercise capacity (maximal oxygen uptake, triathlon performance, 500-meter test), blood lactate, and hematological parameters (white blood cells, neutrophils, platelets). These findings may provide evidence for non-pharmacological interventions to enhance cognitive recovery and brain adaptation during altitude training.

Effect of Hot Spring Therapy on Central Fatigue Elimination During Altitude Training

This randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of hot spring balneotherapy on central fatigue elimination in adolescent rowers undergoing altitude training at approximately 1600 meters (Tengchong, Yunnan). Thirty adolescent athletes (aged 12-16 years) will be stratified by sex and randomly allocated to three groups: Group A (natural recovery, no immersion), Group B (38°C pure water immersion), and Group C (38°C sodium bicarbonate hot spring immersion). Interventions will be administered 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The primary outcomes are central fatigue indices including voluntary activation (VA) and central activation ratio (CAR). Secondary outcomes encompass cognitive function (Stroop test, Psychomotor Vigilance Test), cerebral hemodynamics (functional near-infrared spectroscopy, transcranial Doppler ultrasound), exercise performance (maximal oxygen uptake, 1000m test, 500m test), blood lactate, and hematological parameters (white blood cells, neutrophils, platelets).