Clinical Research Directory

The Combined Effects of Cordyceps and Fartlek Training on Muscle Recovery and Bone Health in Soccer Players

Purpose of the Study:This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of combining Cordyceps supplementation and fartlek training as a recovery and performance enhancement strategy for soccer players. Muscle injuries often occur when athletes train intensely without adequate recovery. Cordyceps contains bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, while Fartlek training is designed to improve cardiovascular endurance. This study analyses how this combination affects both the physiological recovery and physical performance of soccer players. Research Question: Does the combination of Cordyceps supplementation and Fartlek training effectively reduce muscle damage, decrease oxidative stress, promote bone metabolism, and improve cardiorespiratory fitness in soccer players? Methodology and Biomarkers: To answer this question, the study evaluates specific physiological indicators from the participants' blood samples and physical tests. Muscle damage and recovery are assessed through creatine kinase (CK), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Oxidative stress levels are monitored using superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Bone metabolism and health are measured via bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and osteocalcin (OST). Additionally, improvements in the athletes' aerobic capacity and overall physical performance are determined by measuring their maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max).

Change-of-Direction Repeated Sprints in Adolescent Female Basketball Players

The purpose of this randomized crossover study was to compare the acute effects of repeated-sprint protocols incorporating different numbers of 180-degree changes of direction in adolescent female basketball players. Twenty participants completed three exercise conditions in a randomized, counterbalanced order: 10 × 15-m linear sprints, 10 × 15-m sprints incorporating one 180-degree change of direction, and 10 × 15-m sprints incorporating two 180-degree changes of direction. Each sprint was followed by 30 seconds of passive recovery. Sprint performance, perceived exertion, heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were assessed. The study examined whether increasing the number of changes of direction affected repeated-sprint performance and acute perceptual and cardiovascular responses.

Acute Effects of Different Warm-Up Protocols in Amateur Basketball Players

Brief Summary This randomized controlled trial will compare the immediate effects of three warm-up protocols on physical performance in male amateur basketball players. A total of 45 licensed basketball players aged 15 to 25 years will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: standard dynamic warm-up, dynamic warm-up followed by classical hold-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching, or dynamic warm-up followed by short-duration self-administered PNF stretching. The main outcome will be the change in countermovement jump height. Additional outcomes will include flexibility, knee range of motion, squat jump height, 20-meter sprint time, agility, dynamic balance, and perceived exertion. Measurements will be performed before the assigned warm-up protocol, immediately after the protocol, and 15 minutes after the protocol. The study aims to determine whether short-duration self-PNF stretching can improve flexibility while preserving performance more effectively than classical PNF stretching. Each participant will complete the assigned protocol and all assessments during a single study session.

HME Amino Acid Supplementation for Strength, Performance, and Recovery in Trained Adult Males

This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluates HME (Human Muscle Equivalent), a free-form amino acid supplement formulated to match the amino acid composition of human skeletal muscle, taken at its Health Canada licensed dose (3 g powder plus one 50 mg slow-release beta-alanine capsule daily). Trained adult males (competitive athletes or certified fitness professionals) are randomized to HME or an identical-appearing placebo for 10 weeks: a 2-week supplement-only lead-in followed by 8 weeks of supplement plus supervised resistance training. The primary aim is to estimate the effect of HME on composite maximal strength (1-repetition maximum leg press plus chest press) compared with placebo. Secondary measures include isometric knee-extension strength, countermovement jump height, and subjective recovery.

ACL Mechanical Property Changes in Female Collegiate Basketball Players During a Competitive Season

This prospective cohort study aims to investigate whether the mechanical properties of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) undergo measurable changes throughout a competitive basketball season in female collegiate athletes. Female athletes are at a significantly higher risk for non-contact ACL injuries compared to males. Beyond acute injuries, cumulative stress from high-intensity sports may lead to subclinical alterations in the ligament's biomechanical properties, potentially increasing injury risk. Using non-invasive shear wave elastography (SWE) and countermovement jump (CMJ) tests, the study will monitor 60 elite players before and after the University Basketball League (UBL) season. The findings will help identify potential signs of cumulative loading and contribute to the development of early detection markers for injury risk in female athletes.

TCP-600 Supplementation and Performance Response in Professional Football Players

This study will examine whether a 28-day supplementation protocol containing taurine, caffeine, and phosphatidylserine can help professional male football players maintain physical performance, cognitive function, recovery-related readiness, and selected football-specific perceptual-cognitive performance. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either placebo or a phosphatidylserine-containing multi-ingredient supplement. Before and after the supplementation period, players will complete non-invasive assessments such as sprint testing, reaction-time testing, heart rate variability monitoring, wellness/readiness questionnaires, mental-fatigue measures, and selected football-specific perceptual-cognitive tasks where available. The study is designed as an external validation and extension of responder profiles derived from previous randomized controlled trials. Data from previous trials and this validation cohort will be used to examine whether baseline physical, cognitive, autonomic, fatigue-related, recovery-related, or perceptual-cognitive characteristics can predict which players are most likely to benefit from phosphatidylserine-containing multi-ingredient supplementation.

Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing Retraining in Combat Sport Athletes With Dysfunctional Breathing Patterns

Combat sport athletes often need to maintain a guarded posture, stabilize the trunk, react quickly, and control balance during contact or unexpected movement. These demands may be related not only to strength and conditioning, but also to the coordination between breathing and postural control. The diaphragm is the main muscle for breathing and also contributes to trunk stability through its role in pressure regulation and deep core control. However, dysfunctional breathing patterns, such as upper-chest dominant breathing, reduced lower rib expansion, or poor coordination between the chest and abdomen, may interfere with this function. The purpose of this study is to examine dysfunctional breathing patterns in combat sport athletes and to investigate whether diaphragmatic breathing retraining can improve breathing patterns, diaphragm function, core stability, postural control, and sport-related performance. This study will first screen athletes from combat and non-combat sports to determine the prevalence of dysfunctional breathing. Combat sport athletes will then complete laboratory tests to examine the relationship between breathing pattern, posture, diaphragm function, core stability, and postural control. In the intervention part of the study, combat sport athletes with dysfunctional breathing will be randomly assigned to diaphragmatic breathing retraining plus usual training or usual training only. The study will compare the two groups to determine whether adding diaphragmatic breathing retraining provides additional benefits. The study will also examine whether the changes are maintained after training and whether baseline measures can help identify athletes who respond better to the program.

The Influence of Passive Local Muscle Vibration on Mechanical Power Output and Neuromuscular Activity During Counterbalanced RPE-clamped Cycling: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study is to find out if applying mild mechanical vibration (100 Hz) to the the Achilles and patellar tendons before and during exercise can make cycling feel easier and help athletes generate more power. The researchers also want to test if a new, lightweight wearable sleeve called "Tendo" is just as effective at doing this as a stationary laboratory machine. The study will involve 40 healthy, active student-athletes aged 18 to 26. Each participant will attend three separate testing sessions in a laboratory, with at least 48 hours of rest between sessions. During each 85-minute session, participants will: Complete baseline resting measurements of their muscles and tendons. Ride a stationary exercise bicycle with a covered screen, adjusting their speed and pedaling based only on how hard they feel they are working, using a 0-100 effort scale called Borg CR100. Receive a 10-minute resting tendon vibration. Repeat the cycling test with a short "booster" vibration to see how their performance changes. To understand how the vibration works, the researchers will use harmless skin sensors to measure muscle activity (sEMG), a gentle tapping device to check tendon stiffness (MyotonPRO), and ultrasound imaging to look at tendon structure. Stationary Vibration: High-frequency (100 Hz) vibration from a fixed laboratory machine. Wearable Vibration: High-frequency (100 Hz) vibration from the portable Tendo sleeve. Sham Vibration: A low-frequency (15 Hz) vibration that does not trigger a physiological response, serving as a control to make sure the results are not just due to a placebo effect.

Acute Effects of Bilateral Versus Unilateral Isometric Conditioning Activity on Jump Performance in Volleyball Players

This randomized crossover trial investigates the acute effects of bilateral and unilateral isometric conditioning activity on bilateral and unilateral jump performance in highly trained male volleyball players. Fourteen athletes will complete three experimental conditions in randomized order: bilateral isometric squat conditioning activity (BI), unilateral isometric squat conditioning activity (UNI), and a control condition consisting of low-intensity treadmill walking (CTRL). In both isometric conditions, participants will perform three sets of three maximal 3-second contractions, with 3-minute recovery intervals between sets. Jump performance will be assessed before each experimental condition and at 4, 8, and 12 minutes afterward using bilateral countermovement jumps and single-leg jumps performed separately with each lower limb. The primary aim of the study is to determine whether the mode of isometric conditioning activity, unilateral versus bilateral, influences the magnitude and time course of acute changes in jump performance. An additional objective is to assess whether the effects of the conditioning activity differ between bilateral and unilateral jumping tasks.

Impact of Plyometric Training Methods on Athletic Performance and Detraining Processes in Youth Female Soccer Players

Lower extremity strength, explosive power, dynamic balance, and functional range of motion are critical determinants of athletic performance and injury prevention in soccer (football). While plyometric training is widely used to improve these qualities, the comparative effects of bodyweight plyometric training versus externally loaded plyometric training, and the maintenance of these effects during detraining periods, remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of two different plyometric training methods on athletic performance and subsequent detraining processes in young female soccer players. Participants will be randomly assigned to three groups: Bodyweight Plyometric Training Group (BW-PT), External Loading Plyometric Training Group (EL-PT, who will wear vests weighing 10% of their body weight), and Control Group (CG, who will only continue with routine soccer training). Training interventions will be conducted for 6 weeks, immediately followed by a 4-week detraining period. To comprehensively assess athletic performance, the following measurements will be taken at baseline (pre-test), immediately after the training period (post-test), and after the detraining period (maintenance test): Isokinetic muscle strength of knee extensors and flexors (peak torque and force development rate at 60°/s and 120°/s), Jumping performance (standing long jump, vertical jump height, and 15-second repeated jump test), Functional range of motion (via Functional Movement Screen - FMS), Dynamic balance (via Y-Balance Test). The primary objective is to determine which plyometric loading strategy, compared to traditional soccer training, provides superior and longer-lasting physiological and biomechanical adaptations in young female athletes.

Acute Effects of Isometric Conditioning on Sprint, Jump and Change of Direction Performance in Youth Soccer Players

This study aims to examine the acute effects of an isometric conditioning activity on sprinting, jumping, and change-of-direction performance in elite youth soccer players. Twelve male soccer players aged 15-19 years from a professional academy will participate in a randomized crossover study. Each participant will complete two experimental sessions separated by one week. During each session, participants will perform a standardized warm-up followed by baseline performance tests including countermovement jumps, drop jumps, a 30-m sprint test, and a 505 change-of-direction test. After baseline testing, participants will complete one of two conditions in randomized order: (1) an isometric conditioning activity consisting of unilateral standing isometric calf raises, or (2) a control condition consisting of low-intensity treadmill walking. Performance tests will be repeated seven minutes after the intervention to assess acute changes in neuromuscular performance. Jump performance will be assessed using a dual force plate system sampling at 1000 Hz, and sprint performance will be measured using electronic timing gates. The study will be conducted on an indoor athletics runway located in a gymnasium. The results will help determine whether isometric conditioning activities can acutely enhance explosive performance in youth soccer players.

Low-Volume High-Intensity Race-Pace Training in Finswimmers

This single-group case series describe individual responses to a 9-week low-volume, high-intensity race-pace training block in 5 finswimmers from the Antioquia Underwater Activities League (LASA), Colombia. The intervention will be oriented towards race-specific swimming paces and will include repeated swimming efforts prescribed according to each athlete's main competitive event. External training load, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, pace stability, and sport performance were monitored throughout the block. The primary outcome was the change in performance time in each athlete's main competitive event from baseline to post-intervention. The study used an intra-individual descriptive approach and did not include randomisation, a control group, or causal inference.

Phosphatidylserine, Taurine, and Caffeine for Cognitive Fatigue in Professional Football Players

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial will evaluate the effects of 14 days of taurine-caffeine supplementation with or without phosphatidylserine on neurocognitive fatigue resistance, visual search efficiency, and football-specific tactical decision-making in professional male football players. Sixty-two male outfield football players from two professional clubs will be randomized to placebo, taurine plus caffeine, or taurine plus caffeine plus phosphatidylserine. Laboratory and field-based outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after the supplementation period.

Virtual Reality Training on Technical Skills, Training Load and Mental Fatigue in Football

Virtual reality (VR) technology has emerged as a promising supplementary training tool in football, yet no study has simultaneously examined its effects on technical skills, training load, and mental fatigue within a randomized controlled design. This study evaluated the effects of an 8-week Rezzil Index® VR training program on football-specific technical skills, training load (sRPE), and mental fatigue in licensed male football players. Twenty-four male football players (age: 18.82±0.85 years) were randomly assigned to a VR training group (n=12) or a control group (n=12). The VR group completed two supplementary sessions per week using the Rezzil Index® application (HTC Vive Pro and Oculus Quest 2) in addition to regular team training. Football-specific technical skills, mental fatigue (Modified Color-Word Stroop Test), and training load (session RPE) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. The VR group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in all technical skill measures (p\<0.05; d=0.91-1.69, large effects). Rezzil Index® VR training is an effective complementary method for improving football-specific technical skills.

Neural Mobilization After Upper Extremity Fatigue in Amateur Athletes

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the acute effects of neural mobilization and dynamic stretching after upper extremity fatigue on upper extremity performance and hand-eye coordination in amateur athletes. Participants were amateur athletes aged 18 to 25 years who regularly participated in sports involving active use of the upper extremity. After baseline assessment, all participants completed a standardized upper extremity fatigue protocol. They were then randomly allocated to one of three groups: neural mobilization, dynamic stretching, or passive rest. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after fatigue, and after the assigned recovery intervention or rest period. The study aimed to determine whether active recovery strategies, particularly neural mobilization, provide greater short-term recovery of upper extremity performance and hand-eye coordination compared with passive rest.

Unilateral Compound Training Reduces Lower-Limb Strength Asymmetry and Enhances Athletic Performance in Female Handball Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Lower-limb strength asymmetry is common among female handball players and may negatively affect athletic performance while increasing injury risk. This randomized controlled trial was designed to investigate the effects of a six-week unilateral compound training program on lower-limb strength asymmetry, isokinetic muscle strength, hamstring-to-quadriceps ratio, body composition, and physical performance in competitive female handball players. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving unilateral compound training in addition to regular handball training or a control group continuing regular handball training only. It was hypothesized that unilateral compound training would reduce strength asymmetry and improve neuromuscular performance compared with regular training alone.

Neuroscience-Based Exercise Training in Female Volleyball Players

24 volunteer professional female volleyball players (aged 16-21), licensed in the Turkish Volleyball Federation (TVF) Women's Volleyball League 2 and 3, will be included in the study. Participants will be randomized into intervention (n=12) and control (n=12) groups using www.randomizer.org. The intervention group will receive an 8-week (3 days/week) neuro-athletic exercise training program, including eye warm-up exercises and volleyball-specific visual and motor coordination stations, in addition to their regular training. The control group will continue with regular training only. Both groups will have equal total training time. Visual attention and decision-making strategies will be measured with a wearable eye-tracking system (Pupil Labs Invisible) during a serve task. Cortical activation (oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin levels) in the frontal cortex during the same serve task will be measured simultaneously with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Sport-specific physical fitness will be evaluated with the T-Agility Test, radar gun serve speed measurement, VERT wearable jump analysis system, Y-Balance Test, and sit-and-reach test. All assessments will be conducted before training begins and after the 8-week program. The study aims to determine whether neuro-athletic exercise training improves cortical activation, visual attention, decision-making processes, and sport-specific physical fitness parameters in professional female volleyball players, compared to a control group receiving regular training only.

Effects of Afternoon Napping, Caffeine, and Standardised Active Recovery on Evening Athletic Performance

This study evaluated whether afternoon napping, caffeine ingestion, and a standardised active recovery and nutritional protocol could influence evening physical and cognitive performance in healthy university athletes. Participants completed five experimental conditions in a randomised crossover design: placebo without napping, napping with placebo, caffeine without napping, napping combined with caffeine, and napping combined with caffeine plus a standardised active recovery and nutritional protocol. The nap opportunity lasted 90 minutes and caffeine was administered at 5 mg/kg body mass. The main outcome was repeated agility performance. Additional outcomes included sprint performance, jumping performance, reaction time, subjective sleepiness, sleep characteristics during the nap opportunity, and selected physiological measures. The study also explored whether responses differed according to sex and chronotype.

Sequence-Dependent Performance Adaptations Following Myofascial Chain Training in Youth Football Players

This study looked at whether the order of two different types of muscle-and-connective-tissue ("myofascial chain") training affects how young football players improve their jumping power and balance. Forty male football players, aged 15 to 16, took part. Players were split into two groups by chance. One group did "posterior chain" training first, then switched to "spiral chain" training. The other group did the trainings in the opposite order. Each training phase lasted six weeks, and players kept doing their normal team practice at the same time. Jumping power and balance were measured four times: before training started, after the first six weeks, after the second six weeks, and again four weeks after training ended. The goal was to find out if starting with one type of training instead of the other leads to bigger, faster, or longer-lasting improvements. This information may help coaches design better training programs for young athletes.

Effect of Reactive Balance Training Versus Conventional Balance Training on Dynamic Stability and Change-of-Direction Performance in Competitive Tennis Players

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the effectiveness of reactive balance training versus conventional balance training on dynamic stability and change of direction performance. Participants will be randomly allocated into two groups. Each group will receive its respective intervention over a 6-week period. Outcome measures, including dynamic stability assessed by the Y-Balance Test and change-of-direction performance measured using the 505 Agility Test, will be evaluated at baseline and after the intervention. The study is designed to determine which training approach is more effective in improving balance and functional performance.

Acute Effects of Post-Exercise Hyperoxia on Recovery in Cycling

This study examines whether exposition to hyperbaric oxygen after a road-race simulation can help competitive cyclists recover and perform better the following day. Hyperbaric oxygen, which involves breathing oxygen inside a pressurized chamber, is used as a recovery method in elite and professional sport. Its effectiveness, however, remains controversial: despite this widespread use, there is a lack of solid scientific evidence that a single HBO session after strenuous endurance exercise actually improves recovery, or that clarifies how the amount of oxygen exposure influences any benefit. The study includes healthy male road cyclists between 18 and 40 years of age who compete at the national level in Belgium. After completing a fatiguing cycling session, each participant is randomly assigned to one of four groups receiving different levels of oxygen exposure during recovery. Two groups breathe oxygen under increased pressure inside a chamber at either 2.5 or 1.4 atmospheres absolute. A third group breathes oxygen at normal pressure. The fourth group receives a sham condition that reproduces the treatment setting without active oxygen exposure. The study is double-blind, meaning that neither the participants nor the researchers assessing the outcomes know which condition each participant receives. The main goal is to determine whether a single session of post-exercise HBO improves next-day endurance performance, and whether higher oxygen exposure produces greater effects. The researchers also collect blood samples and physiological measurements to better understand how the body recovers.

Effects of Core and Inspiratory Muscle Training on Muscle Oxygenation and Athletic Performance İn Young Soccer Players

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effects of core training and inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on muscle oxygenation and athletic performance in youth male soccer players aged 15-18. A total of 54 healthy soccer players will be included and randomly assigned into three equal groups: the Control Group, the Core Training Group, and the Core Training + IMT Group. All interventions will be implemented for 8 weeks in addition to routine soccer training sessions. Assessments will be performed at baseline (Week 0), mid-intervention (Week 4), and post-intervention (Week 8). The primary outcome measures of the study are aerobic capacity assessed by the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 and muscle oxygenation parameters monitored via near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) using a MOXY monitor. Secondary outcome measures include sprint performance, agility, dynamic balance, core muscle strength and endurance, inspiratory muscle strength, lower extremity explosive power, and soccer-specific technical performance tests. Overall, this study aims to reveal the combined effects of core training and inspiratory muscle training on muscle oxygenation, respiratory functions, aerobic capacity, and soccer performance, while explaining the underlying physiological mechanisms in youth athletes.

Squat Jump Performance and Chiropractic Ankle Manipulation

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if chiropractic ankle manipulation can improve squat jump performance. It will also learn about the relationship among chiropractic ankle manipulation, ankle range of motion, and squat jump performance. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does chiropractic ankle manipulation increase squat jump height? * Is there a relationship among chiropractic ankle manipulation, ankle range of motion, and squat jump performance? Researchers will compare squat jump performance between subjects who receive chiropractic ankle manipulations with control subjects to see if ankle chiropractic manipulation works to improve squat jump performance. Participants will: * Visit the research laboratory for one testing session to measure ankle range of motion and squat jump performance, before and after their randomly assigned intervention arm * Receive either a chiropractic ankle manipulations or rest quietly as the control condition during the testing session.

UCLA Magnesium Formulation Athlete Study

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will compare magnesium glycinate, magnesium L-threonate, and placebo in UCLA varsity athletes. Participants will complete a baseline monitoring period followed by 4 weeks of blinded nightly supplementation. WHOOP or study-approved wearable data will be used to evaluate sleep efficiency, total sleep time, sleep consistency, heart rate variability, resting heart rate, and recovery metrics. Baseline and final testing will assess selected reaction and physical performance outcomes. The primary outcome is change in WHOOP-derived sleep efficiency from baseline week to final treatment week.