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

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.

NCT Number	NCT07608913
Lead Sponsor	Macao Polytechnic University
Conditions	Altitude Training Adaptation, Cognitive Function, Cerebral Hemodynamics, Exercise Performance, Hydrotherapy, Balneotherapy, Hypoxia
Enrollment	27 participants
Start Date	2026-01-25
Primary Completion	2026-02-26 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-03-08 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-08-04