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

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).

NCT Number	NCT07615478
Lead Sponsor	Macao Polytechnic University
Conditions	Central Fatigue, Altitude Training, Cognitive Impairment, Hydrotherapy, Balneotherapy, Sports Performance
Enrollment	27 participants
Start Date	2026-05-25
Primary Completion	2026-06-25 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-06-25 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-05-29