Effect of Hot Spring Therapy on Autonomic Nervous System and Exercise Performance During Altitude Training
23 de junio de 2026 actualizado por: Ziyue Ou, Macao Polytechnic University
A Randomized Controlled Trial to Investigate the Effects of Balneotherapy on Cardiac Autonomic Regulation and Exercise Performance in Healthy Adolescents Undergoing Real 1600-meter Altitude Training and Athlete Training.
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.
Descripción general del estudio
Estado
Terminado
Condiciones
Tipo de estudio
Intervencionista
Inscripción (Actual)
27
Fase
- No aplica
Contactos y Ubicaciones
Esta sección proporciona los datos de contacto de quienes realizan el estudio e información sobre dónde se lleva a cabo este estudio.
Ubicaciones de estudio
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Macao, Porcelana
- Macao Polytechnic University
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Criterios de participación
Los investigadores buscan personas que se ajusten a una determinada descripción, denominada criterio de elegibilidad. Algunos ejemplos de estos criterios son el estado de salud general de una persona o tratamientos previos.
Criterio de elegibilidad
Edades elegibles para estudiar
- Niño
Acepta Voluntarios Saludables
Sí
Descripción
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
Plan de estudios
Esta sección proporciona detalles del plan de estudio, incluido cómo está diseñado el estudio y qué mide el estudio.
¿Cómo está diseñado el estudio?
Detalles de diseño
- Propósito principal: Tratamiento
- Asignación: Aleatorizado
- Modelo Intervencionista: Asignación paralela
- Enmascaramiento: Único
Armas e Intervenciones
Grupo de participantes/brazo |
Intervención / Tratamiento |
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Comparador activo: Natural Recovery Group
Control group participants will undergo the same altitude training protocol (altitude 1600 meters) for 4 weeks.
After each training session, participants will receive standard recovery procedures, including 20 minutes of passive rest in a thermoneutral environment (room temperature 24°C), supplemented with mild hydration and self-selected stretching.
No hydrothermal intervention will be provided.
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Control group participants will undergo the same altitude training protocol (altitude 1600 meters) for 4 weeks.
After each training session, participants will receive standard recovery procedures, including 20 minutes of passive rest in a thermoneutral environment (room temperature 24°C), supplemented with mild hydration and self-selected stretching.
No hydrothermal intervention will be provided.
Otros nombres:
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Comparador activo: Hot water immersion group
The hot water immersion group will undergo a 4-week altitude training at 1600 meters above sea level.
Subjects will receive a 20-minute hot water immersion (daily tap water, 38°C±1°C) in a standardized indoor hot spring facility.
The immersion protocol involves soaking the body below the chest for 20 minutes, followed by a 10-minute rest before leaving the facility.
Three times per week.
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The hot water immersion group will undergo a 4-week altitude training at 1600 meters above sea level.
Subjects will receive a 20-minute hot water immersion (daily tap water, 38°C±1°C) in a standardized indoor hot spring facility.
The immersion protocol involves soaking the body below the chest for 20 minutes, followed by a 10-minute rest before leaving the facility.
Three times per week.
Otros nombres:
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Experimental: Hot Spring Immersion Group
The hot spring immersion group will undergo a 4-week high-altitude training at an altitude of 1600 meters.
Subjects will receive a 20-minute hot spring therapy (natural hot spring water, 38°C ± 1°C) in a standardized indoor hot spring facility.
The immersion protocol involves soaking the body below the chest for 20 minutes, followed by a 10-minute rest before leaving the facility.
Three times per week.
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The hot spring immersion group will undergo a 4-week high-altitude training at an altitude of 1600 meters.
Subjects will receive a 20-minute hot spring therapy (natural hot spring water, 38°C ± 1°C) in a standardized indoor hot spring facility.
The immersion protocol involves soaking the body below the chest for 20 minutes, followed by a 10-minute rest before leaving the facility.
Three times per week.
Otros nombres:
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¿Qué mide el estudio?
Medidas de resultado primarias
Medida de resultado |
Medida Descripción |
Periodo de tiempo |
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Heart Rate Variability (HRV) - RMSSD
Periodo de tiempo: 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.
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Root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) between normal heartbeats, measured from a 5-minute seated ECG recording in a quiet, temperature-controlled (22-24°C) room after 15 minutes of rest.
A higher RMSSD value indicates stronger parasympathetic activity.
Unit: milliseconds (ms).
Baseline, Week 2, Week 3 (post-intervention).
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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.
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Medidas de resultado secundarias
Medida de resultado |
Medida Descripción |
Periodo de tiempo |
|---|---|---|
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HRV - SDNN
Periodo de tiempo: 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.
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Standard deviation of NN intervals (normal-to-normal R-R intervals), reflecting overall autonomic modulation.
Unit: milliseconds (ms).
Baseline, Week 2, Week 3, Week4, post-tests
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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.
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Peripheral Oxygen Saturation (SpO2)
Periodo de tiempo: one month.
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Resting peripheral oxygen saturation measured via fingertip pulse oximeter after 10 minutes of seated rest.
Unit: percentage (%)
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one month.
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Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
Periodo de tiempo: one month.
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Borg 6-20 scale rating of perceived exertion recorded immediately after each training session.
Higher scores indicate greater subjective effort.
Unit: score (6-20).
Daily during intervention
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one month.
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Maximum oxygen uptake
Periodo de tiempo: The baseline measurement was taken before the official start of the experiment, and the post-test was conducted one week after descending from the plateau.
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Testing maximum oxygen uptake on a rowing ergometer combined with a cardiopulmonary function tester.
Protocol: Using a graded incremental protocol to test maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max).
Units: mL·kg-1 ·min-1.
Baseline, Week 5.
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The baseline measurement was taken before the official start of the experiment, and the post-test was conducted one week after descending from the plateau.
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30-second anaerobic power.
Periodo de tiempo: The tests are scheduled before entering the plateau (baseline), during the 4th week of plateau training, and 1 week after leaving the plateau.
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Perform a 30-s all-out test on a rowing ergometer.
Protocol: sprint at maximum effort to measure the 30-second average power.
Record power.
Units: watt.
Baseline, Week 4，1 week after altitude training.
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The tests are scheduled before entering the plateau (baseline), during the 4th week of plateau training, and 1 week after leaving the plateau.
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Colaboradores e Investigadores
Aquí es donde encontrará personas y organizaciones involucradas en este estudio.
Patrocinador
Publicaciones y enlaces útiles
La persona responsable de ingresar información sobre el estudio proporciona voluntariamente estas publicaciones. Estos pueden ser sobre cualquier cosa relacionada con el estudio.
Publicaciones Generales
- Laukkanen T, Khan H, Zaccardi F, Laukkanen JA. Association between sauna bathing and fatal cardiovascular and all-cause mortality events. JAMA Intern Med. 2015 Apr;175(4):542-8. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.8187.
- Stanley J, Peake JM, Buchheit M. Consecutive days of cold water immersion: effects on cycling performance and heart rate variability. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2013 Feb;113(2):371-84. doi: 10.1007/s00421-012-2445-2. Epub 2012 Jul 3.
- Buchheit M, Simpson BM, Garvican-Lewis LA, Hammond K, Kley M, Schmidt WF, Aughey RJ, Soria R, Sargent C, Roach GD, Claros JC, Wachsmuth N, Gore CJ, Bourdon PC. Wellness, fatigue and physical performance acclimatisation to a 2-week soccer camp at 3600 m (ISA3600). Br J Sports Med. 2013 Dec;47 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):i100-6. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2013-092749.
- Jdidi H, Dugue B, de Bisschop C, Dupuy O, Douzi W. The effects of cold exposure (cold water immersion, whole- and partial- body cryostimulation) on cardiovascular and cardiac autonomic control responses in healthy individuals: A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression. J Therm Biol. 2024 Apr;121:103857. doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2024.103857. Epub 2024 Apr 18.
- Michalsen A, Ludtke R, Buhring M, Spahn G, Langhorst J, Dobos GJ. Thermal hydrotherapy improves quality of life and hemodynamic function in patients with chronic heart failure. Am Heart J. 2003 Oct;146(4):728-33. doi: 10.1016/S0002-8703(03)00314-4.
Fechas de registro del estudio
Estas fechas rastrean el progreso del registro del estudio y los envíos de resultados resumidos a ClinicalTrials.gov. Los registros del estudio y los resultados informados son revisados por la Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina (NLM) para asegurarse de que cumplan con los estándares de control de calidad específicos antes de publicarlos en el sitio web público.
Fechas importantes del estudio
Inicio del estudio (Actual)
10 de enero de 2026
Finalización primaria (Actual)
7 de marzo de 2026
Finalización del estudio (Actual)
8 de marzo de 2026
Fechas de registro del estudio
Enviado por primera vez
14 de mayo de 2026
Primero enviado que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad
19 de mayo de 2026
Publicado por primera vez (Actual)
27 de mayo de 2026
Actualizaciones de registros de estudio
Última actualización publicada (Actual)
26 de junio de 2026
Última actualización enviada que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad
23 de junio de 2026
Última verificación
1 de enero de 2026
Más información
Términos relacionados con este estudio
Palabras clave
Términos MeSH relevantes adicionales
Otros números de identificación del estudio
- 202502AS100005
Plan de datos de participantes individuales (IPD)
¿Planea compartir datos de participantes individuales (IPD)?
INDECISO
Descripción del plan IPD
The current research project has not yet been completed, and the data have not been publicly released.
After publication, sharing will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Información sobre medicamentos y dispositivos, documentos del estudio
Estudia un producto farmacéutico regulado por la FDA de EE. UU.
No
Estudia un producto de dispositivo regulado por la FDA de EE. UU.
No
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