CompletedNot Applicable

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

China27 participantsStarted 2026-01-25

Plain-language summary

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.

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 11-17 years- 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 * No color blindness or uncorrected visual impairment that would affect Stroop test performance Exclusion Criteria: * History of cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, or endocrine disorders * Current use of medications affecting autonomic function or cognition (e.g., beta-blockers, anticholinergics, stimulants, sedatives) * History of syncope, heat intolerance, or neurological disorders * 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 * History of traumatic brain injury, stroke, or psychiatric disorders

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.

1This trial is already completed — does that mean results are available, and if so, what did they find about whether bicarbonate spring water immersion actually helped with cognitive performance and brain blood flow in young athletes at altitude?
2My child is an adolescent rower who does altitude training camps — based on what this trial was measuring, like reaction time tests and brain oxygen levels, is there any evidence from studies like this one that cold or mineral water immersion should be part of their recovery routine?
3The trial looked specifically at sex-stratified results, meaning they analyzed boys and girls separately — does that matter for my child's situation, and should I ask the researchers or their coach whether the findings apply differently depending on sex?
4Since this trial measured cerebral oxygenation and brain blood flow during hypoxia, are there any warning signs we should watch for in a young athlete training at altitude that might suggest their brain isn't coping well with the low-oxygen environment?
5Are there standard recovery approaches already recommended for adolescent athletes doing altitude training that we should consider first, before looking at something like bicarbonate spring water immersion that may still have limited evidence behind it?

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

Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT)

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.

Stroop Test Performance

Cerebral Oxygenation (fNIRS)

Timeframe: Baseline, Week 2, Week 5

Cerebral Blood Flow Velocity (TCD)

Timeframe: Baseline, Week 2, Week 4

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07608913

SponsorMacao Polytechnic University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-02-26

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Altitude Training Adaptation trials