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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.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Recovery Group | Active Comparator | 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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| Hot water immersion group | Active Comparator | 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 includes whole-body immersion up to the neck for 20 minutes, followed by a 10-minute rest before leaving the facility. Three times per week. |
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| Hot Spring Immersion Group | Experimental | 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 includes whole-body immersion to the neck for 20 minutes, followed by a 10-minute rest before leaving the facility. Three times per week. |
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| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control Group：Natural Recovery | Behavioral | 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. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) | 5-minute PVT measuring sustained attention and psychomotor vigilance. Outcome variables: mean reciprocal response time (1/RT). Administered via standardized software on a tablet/computer. Unit: second. | 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 | Computerized Stroop Color-Word Test measuring executive function and cognitive inhibition. Outcome variables: reaction time (ms). Administered in a quiet, temperature-controlled room (22-24°C). Unit: milliseconds (ms). | 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. |
| Cerebral Oxygenation (fNIRS) | Changes in oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HbR) in the prefrontal cortex during cognitive tasks, measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) with a multichannel system. Outcome: relative changes in HbO and HbR concentrations. Unit: micromolar (μM). | Baseline, Week 2, Week 5 |
| Cerebral Blood Flow Velocity (TCD) | Mean blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and anterior cerebral artery (ACA) measured by transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) with 2MHz probe. Measurements taken in supine position after 10 minutes of rest. Outcome: mean velocity (cm/s). Unit: centimeters/second (cm/s). | Baseline, Week 2, Week 4 |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO2max) | Maximal oxygen uptake measured using a portable metabolic analyzer during a graded exercise test on a rowing ergometer. Test protocol: incremental ramp test to exhaustion. Unit: mL/kg/min. | Baseline, Week 5 |
| 1000-Meter Running Test |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ziyue Ou, PHD | Contact | 15626121623 | 395356506@qq.com |
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| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Macao Polytechnic University | Recruiting | Macao | China |
| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22752345 | Background | 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. | |
| 2034749 | Background | MacLeod CM. Half a century of research on the Stroop effect: an integrative review. Psychol Bull. 1991 Mar;109(2):163-203. doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.109.2.163. No abstract available. |
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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.
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| Hot water immersion group | Behavioral | 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 includes whole-body immersion up to the neck for 20 minutes, followed by a 10-minute rest before leaving the facility. Three times per week. |
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| hot spring immersion group | Behavioral | 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 includes whole-body immersion to the neck for 20 minutes, followed by a 10-minute rest before leaving the facility. Three times per week. |
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1000-meter maximal effort running test on a standard 400m track or treadmill. Total completion time recorded. Unit: seconds (s). |
| Baseline, Week 3, Week4 |
| Peripheral Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) | Resting peripheral oxygen saturation measured via fingertip pulse oximeter after 10 minutes of seated rest. Unit: percentage (%). | one month. |
| 23675496 | Background | Ando S, Hatamoto Y, Sudo M, Kiyonaga A, Tanaka H, Higaki Y. The effects of exercise under hypoxia on cognitive function. PLoS One. 2013 May 10;8(5):e63630. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063630. Print 2013. |
| 25705824 | Background | 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. |
| 21944673 | Background | Ohori T, Nozawa T, Ihori H, Shida T, Sobajima M, Matsuki A, Yasumura S, Inoue H. Effect of repeated sauna treatment on exercise tolerance and endothelial function in patients with chronic heart failure. Am J Cardiol. 2012 Jan 1;109(1):100-4. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2011.08.014. Epub 2011 Sep 23. |
| 24282195 | Background | 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. |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D000860 | Hypoxia |
| D000532 | Altitude Sickness |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D012818 | Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory |
| D012816 | Signs and Symptoms |
| D013568 | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms |
| D012120 | Respiration Disorders |
| D012140 | Respiratory Tract Diseases |
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