Integrating Halotherapy Into Preseason Training Improves Respiratory and Aerobic Performance in Elite Female Soccer Players

This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week halotherapy intervention on respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, aerobic capacity, and intermittent running performance in elite female soccer players. Participants were randomly assigned to either a halotherapy group or a control group. Both groups followed the same preseason soccer training program, while the halotherapy group additionally received regular halotherapy sessions. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included spirometric measurements, respiratory muscle strength, estimated VO₂max, and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 performance.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Athletic Performance; Respiratory Function; Respiratory Muscle Strength; Aerobic Performance; Elite Female Athletes; Halotherapy
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Halotherapy Group; Other: Control

Detailed Description

Aerobic capacity and respiratory efficiency are critical determinants of performance in elite soccer. Halotherapy, a non-pharmacological intervention involving inhalation of dry salt aerosol in a controlled environment, has been shown to improve pulmonary health in clinical populations; however, evidence in athletic populations remains limited.

This randomized parallel-group trial was conducted during the preseason period of the Turkish Women's First League. Twenty-eight elite female soccer players were randomly allocated to a halotherapy group or a control group. Both groups completed an identical 12-week soccer training program. In addition to training, the halotherapy group underwent 45-minute halotherapy sessions three times per week in a controlled halochamber environment.

Outcome measures included maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP, MEP), pulmonary function parameters (FVC, FEV₁, PEF, MVV), aerobic capacity estimated via the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1, and total distance covered in the Yo-Yo test. Measurements were collected before and after the intervention period. The study aimed to determine whether halotherapy provides additive benefits to standard soccer training in elite female athletes.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 28
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Trabzon, Ordu, Giresun, Rize, Artvin, Gümüşhane
    • Gümüşhane, Trabzon, Ordu, Giresun, Rize, Artvin, Gümüşhane, Turkey (Türkiye), 29600
      • Gumushane Univetsity

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female soccer players aged 18-30 years
• Competing in the Turkish Women's First League
• Minimum of 5 years of competitive soccer experience
• Regular training ≥10 hours per week
• Free from injury at study entry
• Non-smokers
• Not using chronic medication
• Provided written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of respiratory, cardiovascular, or metabolic disease
• Current musculoskeletal injury
• Smoking
• Pregnancy
• Use of medications affecting respiratory or cardiovascular function

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Halotherapy Group; Participants followed the standard preseason soccer training program and additionally received halotherapy. Halotherapy sessions were conducted in a controlled halochamber using a dry salt aerosol generator. Sessions lasted 45 minutes and were performed three times per week for 12 weeks. Aerosol concentration was maintained at approximately 20 mg/m³ with particle size <5 microns. Environmental conditions were controlled (temperature 20-24°C, humidity 40-60%).	Other: Halotherapy Group; Participants followed the standard preseason soccer training program and additionally received halotherapy. Halotherapy sessions were conducted in a controlled halochamber using a dry salt aerosol generator. Sessions lasted 45 minutes and were performed three times per week for 12 weeks. Aerosol concentration was maintained at approximately 20 mg/m³ with particle size <5 microns. Environmental conditions were controlled (temperature 20-24°C, humidity 40-60%).; Other: Control; Participants followed the same standard preseason soccer training program without halotherapy.
No Intervention: CONTROL; Participants followed the same standard preseason soccer training program without halotherapy.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP)	Expiratory muscle strength measured using a portable respiratory pressure meter.	12 week
Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP)	Inspiratory muscle strength measured using a portable respiratory pressure meter.	12 week
Aerobic Capacity (VO₂max estimate)	VO₂max estimated using the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1.	12 week

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)	Measured by spirometry.	12 week
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV₁)	Measured by spirometry.	12 weeks
Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)	Measured by spirometry.	12 week
Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 Distance	VO₂max estimated using the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1.	12 week

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Gümüşhane Universıty

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 5, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 15, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): July 20, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 6, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 6, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 12, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 12, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 6, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Aerobic capacity; Pulmonary function; Non-pharmacological intervention; Respiratory muscle strength; Halotherapy; Elite female soccer players
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Respiration Disorders; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Respiratory Aspiration
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2022/2-3

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data will not be shared because the study involves a small sample of elite athletes from a single professional team, which may increase the risk of indirect participant identification. Additionally, the informed consent obtained from participants did not include explicit permission for public sharing of individual-level data. Data are therefore available only in aggregated form to protect participant confidentiality.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No