Clinical Research Directory

Blood Parameter Changes Following Aerobic Exercise in Professional Soccer Players

This study aims to investigate acute changes in serum ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels following aerobic exercise in professional soccer players. Twenty professional male soccer players will voluntarily participate in the study. Participants will complete a progressive 20-meter shuttle run test. Venous blood samples will be collected immediately before and after the exercise protocol. Pre- to post-exercise changes in each blood parameter will be analyzed to determine the acute physiological responses to aerobic exercise in professional soccer players.

Effects of Different Exercise Types on Irisin, Leptin, and Ghrelin Levels in Sedentary Women

This interventional study aims to investigate the acute effects of three different exercise modalities-aerobic exercise, anaerobic exercise, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT)-on irisin, leptin, and ghrelin levels in sedentary women. A total of 20 sedentary women will participate in the study. Hormonal responses will be evaluated in relation to the exercise sessions to determine exercise-induced changes in irisin, leptin, and ghrelin and to compare the responses associated with the three exercise modalities.

Effects of Squat Variations on Quadriceps Muscle Thickness and Strength

The study was conducted using a randomized controlled trial design. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of traditional and heel-elevated squat training on quadriceps muscle thickness and knee extensor strength in physically active young women. Participants were randomly allocated to either a traditional squat group or a heel-elevated squat group. Both groups completed an 8-week supervised bodyweight squat-training program performed twice per week. Participants in the heel-elevated squat group performed squats with both heels supported on fixed 5-cm wedges, whereas participants in the traditional squat group performed the same exercise with their feet flat on the floor. Training volume was progressively adjusted throughout the 8-week intervention. Quadriceps muscle thickness was assessed using B-mode ultrasonography, and isokinetic knee extensor strength was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer before and after the intervention. The study aimed to compare changes in quadriceps muscle thickness and knee extensor strength between traditional and heel-elevated squat training.

Effects of Pre-Run Nutritional Supplements During a Fixed-Pace 5 km Treadmill Run

This study will examine how three commonly used pre-run nutritional supplements-caffeine, L-citrulline, and an exogenous ketone supplement-affect physiological and perceptual responses during a fixed-pace 5 km treadmill run in healthy, physically active runners. Participants will complete one screening and baseline visit followed by four experimental visits in a randomized order. At each experimental visit, participants will receive caffeine, L-citrulline, an exogenous ketone supplement, or placebo before completing a fixed-pace 5 km treadmill run. Each participant will receive all four conditions and will therefore serve as their own control. The study will evaluate measures including running economy, heart-rate responses, oxygen consumption, respiratory measures, blood lactate and ketone concentrations, perceived exertion, gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue, energy, and focus. A randomly selected subgroup will also wear a continuous glucose monitor to explore glucose responses during the experimental visits. The study will also assess the feasibility and tolerability of completing repeated treadmill trials under the four supplement conditions.

Effects of Acute Beetroot Juice on Aerobic Performance and Muscle Oxygenation in Amateur Female Soccer Players

Effects of Acute Beetroot Juice on Aerobic Performance and Muscle Oxygenation in Amateur Female Soccer Players

Exercise Intensity and Postprandial Effects of Breaking Sedentary Behavior in Overweight Adults

The purpose of this study is twofold: (1) to determine whether breaking up prolonged sitting with aerobic or sprint cycling breaks reduces postprandial blood glucose, insulin, CRP, and blood pressure, which are established risk markers for cardiometabolic diseases; and (2) to assess substrate oxidation during this period in order to identify which exercise condition promotes the greatest increase in fat oxidation.

Acute Effects of HIIT and MICT on Catestatin Dynamics in Young Males

Physical exercise acts as a major physiological stressor that alters cardiovascular and autonomic homeostasis. Catestatin (CTS), a bioactive peptide derived from chromogranin A (CgA), acts as a potent inhibitor of catecholamine secretion and modulates autonomic cardiovascular tone. However, the acute effects of distinct exercise modalities on circulating CTS dynamics and their associations with post-exercise autonomic recovery remain unclarified. The purpose of this study is to investigate the acute responses of serum catestatin and chromogranin A to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) versus moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in healthy sedentary young males, and to evaluate their potential relationship with post-exercise heart rate recovery (HRR). Participants completed an initial incremental performance test followed by either a single HIIT session or a MICT session on a cycle ergometer. Serial blood samples and continuous cardiovascular measurements were obtained before, immediately after, and throughout a 60-minute post-exercise recovery period.

Effects of a 10-Week High-Intensity Interval Training Programme on Biochemical and Hormonal Responses in Elite Female Futsal Players

This study aims to investigate the biochemical, hormonal, and physiological adaptations to a 10-week periodized high-intensity interval training (HIIT) programme in elite female futsal players. The study will examine changes in aerobic fitness, blood lactate kinetics, muscle damage biomarkers, inflammatory markers, and reproductive hormones throughout the intervention. In addition, the influence of menstrual cycle phases on these physiological responses will be evaluated to improve understanding of sex-specific training adaptations and recovery. The findings are expected to contribute to evidence-based, individualized training and recovery strategies for female futsal athletes.

Using a Personalized Decision Support Tool to Help People With Type 1 Diabetes Manage Exercise

This study evaluates a clinician-facing decision-support toolkit designed to assist adults with type 1 diabetes in preparing for moderate-intensity exercise. The netIOB \& Exercise Toolkit (NEXT) integrates recent glucose data and insulin delivery history to provide individualized suggestions regarding exercise timing, insulin adjustments, and carbohydrate intake. Adults with type 1 diabetes will complete three supervised exercise sessions under different pre-exercise guidance approaches: (A) published consensus-based standard-of-care guidance, (B) usual personal care routines, and (C) guidance informed by the NEXT Toolkit. A healthy adult control group will complete a single supervised exercise session to provide comparative physiologic data.

Modality-Specific Heart Rate Differences at Ventilatory Thresholds During Unified Ramp Testing

The purpose of this study was to investigate the heart rate bias between cycling and treadmill exercise at ventilatory thresholds. This was a randomized crossover trial involving 23 healthy participants. Each participant performed both cycling and treadmill exercise tests in a randomized order. The primary outcome was to determine the difference in heart rate response at the first and second ventilatory thresholds between the two exercise modalities. We hypothesized that there is a fixed bias in heart rate response, which may have implications for exercise prescription in clinical and rehabilitation settings.

IL-6 and Cortisol Responses to Cycling Exercise

This study aimed to investigate salivary interleukin-6 (IL-6) and cortisol responses following short-term and long-term cycling exercise in team athletes with different cardiorespiratory fitness levels. Participants completed a Wingate anaerobic cycling test and a YMCA submaximal cycling test in a randomized crossover design separated by a seven-day washout period. Saliva samples were collected before exercise, immediately after exercise, and 30 minutes after exercise to determine IL-6 and cortisol concentrations. The study also examined whether cardiorespiratory fitness level influenced the magnitude of these physiological responses.

Effects of Whole-Body HIIT and Moderate Continuous Exercise on Immune Function

This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week Whole-Body High-Intensity Interval Training (WB-HIIT) program compared with Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) on immune function in recreationally active young adults. Participants were randomly assigned to either WB-HIIT or MICT groups. Immune-related biomarkers and performance outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention. The study sought to determine whether different exercise modalities produce distinct adaptations in immune function.

Comparison of Training Intensity Distribution Models in Recreational Distance Runners

This study aims to compare the effects of three different training intensity distribution (TID) models-polarized, threshold, and pyramidal-on physiological and performance adaptations in recreational distance runners. Twenty-four participants will be assigned to one of the three training interventions and will complete an 8-week structured running program based on the respective TID approach. The primary objective is to determine whether different TID models elicit distinct changes in key physiological markers and endurance performance. The study seeks to answer whether a specific intensity distribution strategy provides superior adaptations in recreational runners when training is prescribed over a controlled intervention period.

Acute Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Warm-up on Muscular Performance and Pulmonary Function in Natural Bodybuilders

The present study aims to investigate the acute effects of inspiratory muscle warm-up (IWU) on 1RM performance in professional natural bodybuilders. The hypothesis is that IWU will lead to an increase in the pressure-generating capacity of the inspiratory muscles, thereby resulting in improved 1RM strength performance. The anticipated findings are expected to contribute not only to the enhancement of maximal strength performance but also to the improvement of exercise efficiency through increased respiratory muscle endurance. It is submitted that these outcomes may ultimately provide insights into the long-term sustainability of professional athletes' performance. Twenty male athletes who had competed in national and international professional natural bodybuilding competitions were recruited for this study. The participants had an average experience in natural bodybuilding of 3.21 years, with a standard deviation of ± 1.44 years, and trained for more than five hours per week. The data collection period commenced in July 2025. The study was designed as a randomized controlled experimental trial. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups by a computerized program at three visits after the trial, based on their first measurement: inspiratory warm-up (IWU) group or control (CON) group.

SPORT-SPECIFIC HIIT IN ELITE KICKBOXERS

This study examines how sport-specific high-intensity interval training (HIIT) affects the body in elite kickboxers. Participants are randomly assigned to either a HIIT training group or a control group. The HIIT group performs supervised sport-specific training for eight weeks, while the control group continues their usual training. Blood samples are collected before and after the training period. The main goal of this study is to determine whether HIIT changes levels of exercise-related proteins such as apelin and irisin. These proteins may reflect how the body adapts to intense training. The findings may help researchers and coaches better understand the effects of high-intensity training and may support the development of safer and more effective training programs for athletes.

Molecular Indicators of Systematic Fitness

The goal of this study is to characterize associations between cardiorespiratory fitness, as measured by VO₂max/VO₂peak, and blood-based molecular measurements in adults. This is an observational study where research staff measures VO₂max/VO₂peak and collects fasted, resting blood samples on the same day. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Can a multi-analyte blood panel accurately predict directly measured VO₂max/VO₂peak? 2. How do these blood-based features vary across age, sex, and self-reported or documented physical activity profiles? 3. Are the predictor analytes able to capture changes in VO₂max/VO₂peak caused by a self-directed intervention (e.g., training for a marathon)? 4. What is the analytic reliability of the predictor biomarkers?

The Effect of a Training Programme in the Variation of Fitness Parameters, Physiological, Hematological and Biochemical Indicators of Soccer Players During the Preseason Period

The goal of this study is to investigate the effects of varying friendly match-play exposure during the late pre-season on physiological, biochemical, and performance adaptations in soccer players. It is hypothesized that (i) significant changes will occur across the pre-season in both the extended- and limited-play groups when analysed independently; (ii) distinct group-specific adaptations will emerge by the end of the preparatory period; and (iii) match-play exposure, when analysed across all participants, will be significantly correlated with physiological and performance outcomes at pre-season completion. Players from a randomly selected team will be assessed at three time points: pre-season start, mid-pre-season (MPS), and pre-competition phase (PC). Assessments will include anthropometry, physical performance, and markers of muscle damage, inflammation, hormonal status, and haematology. Based on the total match-play time of 8 friendly games during the late pre-season, players will be retrospectively categorised into extended-play (EP) and limited-play (LP) cohorts.time of 8 friendly games during the late pre-season, players will be retrospectively categorised into extended-play (EP) and limited-play (LP) cohorts.