RecruitingNot Applicable

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

China27 participantsStarted 2026-05-25

Plain-language summary

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).

Who can participate

Age range

12 Years – 16 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 12-16 years- Healthy with no serious chronic diseases or skin conditions * At least 1 year of systematic rowing training experience * Currently undergoing centralized altitude training at approximately 1600 meters- No history of systematic hot spring or spa immersion within the past month * No allergy history to sodium bicarbonate or hot spring minerals- Ability to provide written informed assent (participant) and written informed consent (parent/guardian)- No acute infection, fracture, or surgery within the past month * Not currently taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), immunosuppressants, or medications affecting autonomic or cognitive function Exclusion Criteria: * History of cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, endocrine, or neurological disorders- Uncontrolled hypertension or hypotension * History of syncope, heat intolerance, or severe dizziness during hot water immersion- Open wounds, severe eczema, or other skin conditions contraindicating water immersion * Current use of beta-blockers, anticholinergics, stimulants, sedatives, or other medications affecting central nervous system function * Color blindness or uncorrected visual impairment affecting Stroop test performance- Pregnancy (for female participants)- Alcohol consumption or smoking * Shift work or trans-meridian travel within 2 weeks prior to baseline assessment * Any condition deemed by the investigator as unsafe for participation

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

Voluntary Activation

Timeframe: Baseline (Week 0), Week 2, Week 3, Week 4 (post-intervention), Follow-up (Week 1-2 post-altitude)

Central Activation Ratio

Timeframe: Baseline (Week 0), Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Follow-up (Week 5-6 post-altitude)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07615478

SponsorMacao Polytechnic University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-06-25

Contact for this trial

Ziyue Ou, PHD

+8615626121623 p2521734@mpu.edu.mo

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Central Fatigue trials