CompletedNot Applicable

Effect of Hot Spring Therapy on Autonomic Nervous System and Exercise Performance During Altitude Training

China27 participantsStarted 2026-01-10

Plain-language summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of balneotherapy (hot spring bathing) on cardiac autonomic nervous system function and exercise performance in healthy athletes undergoing high-altitude training. Participants will be randomly assigned to the intervention group (receiving hot spring baths three times per week (38°C, 20 minutes) combined with high-altitude training), the control group (receiving routine recovery protocols combined with high-altitude training), or the hot water immersion group (receiving hot water baths three times per week (38°C, 20 minutes) combined with high-altitude training). Primary outcome measures include heart rate variability (HRV) indices and exercise performance indicators. Secondary outcomes include blood lactate, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), and subjective fatigue. These findings may provide evidence for non-pharmacological interventions to enhance high-altitude training adaptation and exercise recovery.

Who can participate

Age range

11 Years – 17 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female aged 11-17years * Regular endurance training (≥3 sessions/week) for ≥2 years * No history of altitude exposure \>2000m in the past 3 months * No contraindications to hot water immersion (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, severe cardiovascular disease, open wounds, pregnancy) * Ability to provide written informed consent- Willingness to abstain from other recovery modalities (e.g., massage, cryotherapy, compression garments) during the study period Exclusion Criteria: * History of cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, or endocrine disorders * Current use of medications affecting autonomic function (e.g., beta-blockers, anticholinergics)- History of syncope or heat intolerance * Acute musculoskeletal injury within the past 6 months- Regular use of sauna, hot tub, or spa within the past month * Pregnancy or breastfeeding (for female participants)- Shift work or trans-meridian travel within 2 weeks prior to baseline assessment * Alcohol consumption \>14 units/week or smoking

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) - RMSSD

Timeframe: Baselines were measured at the formal start of the experiment, at night during the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks (post-intervention) after ascending the plateau, and post-tests were conducted one week after descending the plateau.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07608887

SponsorMacao Polytechnic University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-03-07

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Altitude Training Adaptation trials