Clinical Research Directory

Recovery Modalities and Application Sequence in Elite Female Basketball Players

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of intermittent pneumatic compression, local heat, and mechanical vibration applications on recovery following high-intensity anaerobic exercise in elite female basketball players. Recovery levels of the athletes will be evaluated through blood lactate concentration, countermovement jump performance, perceived recovery status, and perceived muscle soreness. The study will compare the effects of different recovery application sequences on post-exercise recovery indicators.

Effects of Root Extract Ashwagandha (KSM-66) on Perception of Recovery and Muscle Strength in Adolescents Aged 11 to 19 Engaged in Grassroots Football

This study will test whether six weeks of ashwagandha (KSM-66 root extract), helps teenage footballers recover and improve strength. Very little research has looked at young people aged 11 to 19, despite increased usage in this cohort. About 50 to 60 male and female players from grassroots clubs in Sussex, Surrey and Greater London will be randomly assigned to take a daily capsule of either 450 mg ashwagandha or a placebo in an unblinded fashion. Before and after the six weeks, players will do tests at their usual training site: saliva samples to measure the cortisol, grip strength, a 1 km time trial, and short questionnaires on recovery, sleep, stress and soreness. The results will show whether ashwagandha changes stress, strength, performance and perceived recovery over six weeks.

New Zealand Blackcurrant and Recovery in Elite Taekwondo

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effects of short-term supplementation with anthocyanin-rich New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract on exercise-induced muscle damage, oxidative stress, antioxidant status, inflammatory responses, and perceived muscle soreness in elite male taekwondo athletes. Thirty national-level male taekwondo athletes were enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either NZBC extract (CurraNZ®, UK; 600 mg/day providing approximately 210 mg anthocyanins) or a matched placebo for 7 days. Blood samples and muscle soreness ratings were collected at baseline, immediately after exercise, 24 hours after exercise, and after 7 days. The primary outcome was plasma creatine kinase (CK). Secondary outcomes included reactive oxygen species (ROS), total antioxidant capacity (TOAC), protein carbonyls, inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10), and perceived muscle soreness assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS). The study was approved by the Biruni University Clinical Research Ethics Committee (No. 2015-KAEK-80-23-33; December 22, 2023). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.