Clinical Research Directory

Clinical Trial of Lactiplantibacillus Plantarum Dad-13 on Gut Microbiota Profile and Performance in Adolescent Athletes

The aim of this research is to analyze the effect of a Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Dad-13 supplementation on the gut microbiota profile and performance of adolescent athletes.

EEG-Guided Binaural Beat Audio to Reduce Performance-Related Stress and Improve Cognition

Performance-related stress can impair sustained attention, inhibitory control, and memory. This randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled parallel-arm trial evaluates whether a 30-minute EEG-guided binaural beat audio intervention reduces subjective stress/performance anxiety and improves cognition, and whether it changes task-related brain reactivity measured by fMRI. The intervention uses real-time single-electrode EEG recorded over the left prefrontal cortex to dynamically adjust binaural beat frequencies to guide the brain toward a target state; the sham condition uses non-binaural music delivered through identical headphones. Adult music majors preparing for an upcoming concert will complete pre- and post-intervention fMRI sessions during cognitive/music tasks (Stop Signal Reaction Task, Music Reading Task, Music Memory Retrieval Task) and complete visual analog scales (VAS) assessing performance anxiety, stress, and related subjective states. The primary outcomes include fMRI task-related activity in stress-regulation regions (dlPFC, amygdala, hippocampus), behavioral inhibition indices from the stop-signal task, music memory retrieval accuracy, and VAS-reported stress/performance anxiety.

MAGIA H3S Point of Care Test Performance for HIV, HBV, HCV, and Syphilis Screening in Pregnant Women in DR Congo

Performance study to evaluate the clinical performance of the In-Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device MagIA H3S (a Multiplex Point-of-Care test for the combined detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B and C and Syphilis) from pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) services in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This study aligns with the WHO 2022-2030 strategy for the integrated elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis.

Effects of Root Extract Ashwagandha (KSM-66) on Physiological Stress, Perception of Recovery and Muscle Strength in Youth Elite Footballers

This trial examines if six weeks of taking 450 mg Ashwagandha root extract affects exercise performance and recovery in youth male elite football players. Ashwagandha root extract is increasingly used by athletes, but controlled research in adolescent athletes is limited and the majority of evidence is in an adult population. This study will assess short-term responses in youth players. Participants will be randomly assigned to take either Ashwagandha root extract or a placebo once daily for six weeks. Players will complete training-based tests, provide saliva samples and complete a short, validated questionnaire on perception of wellness. Any adverse events will be documented and reported.

BFR Rope Training in Male Volleyball Players

The study will be conducted during the preparatory period of the volleyball players and will span eight weeks. Throughout this period, athletes will continue their regular volleyball training four days per week, while the experimental group (n = 10) will perform rope training with blood flow restriction (BFR) twice per week, and the control group (n = 10) will perform the same rope training without BFR. Assessments will be carried out at the beginning of the 8-week period (pre-test) and at the end of the intervention (post-test). For both groups, all exercises will target the upper-extremity muscle groups. During the study, participants will be instructed to avoid consuming any medications, engaging in additional strenuous physical activities, and using any techniques or ergogenic aids that might influence the results. In both testing sessions, a standardized warm-up protocol will be implemented, consisting of a 5-minute treadmill run at 9 km/h on a Sprint Runner device (Hoggan Health Industries, Draper, UT), followed by 3 minutes of light full-body stretching. This warm-up procedure will be applied consistently across both groups to ensure standardization.

Effects of Pilates Training on Ankle Proprioception, Postural Control and Performance in Footballers With Chronic Ankle Instability

This study aims to contribute to the effects of Pilates training on ankle proprioception, postural control, and performance in football players with chronic ankle instability. Eighty eight participants will be randomly allocated into two groups and will receive both Pilates and balance training for eight weeks. it is hypothesized that the group that will receive Pilates taring will produce greater improvements as compared to other group.

The Leksand Hockey Trial on Grip Strength

This project, titled The Leksand Hockey Trial on Grip Strength, investigates whether grip strength is related to performance in professional hockey players. Grip strength is already known to reflect general health and muscle function, and it plays a key role in ice hockey, where players rely on strong hands and forearms for stick handling, shooting, and physical challenges on the ice. Despite this, no clinical study has yet explored whether stronger grip strength leads to better on-ice performance. In this pilot study, we will first examine if there is a correlation between grip strength and key performance indicators such as game score (a combined measure of offensive and defensive contribution), number of shots on goal, and shooting precision. Grip strength will be measured using a standardized protocol and professional players from SHL, SDHL, and HockeyAllsvenskan will be included. Performance data will be collected before and after the grip strength assessment. Additionally, injuries sustained during the study period will be recorded and monitored as an outcome measure. We will investigate whether there is any correlation between grip strength and injury incidence to assess if stronger grip strength may influence injury risk or resilience in professional hockey players. In the second part of the study, players will follow a grip-strength training program to determine whether improvements in grip strength lead to better performance. If a link is found, grip strength could be used as a simple and reliable proxy for player performance and may justify the inclusion of specific grip training in professional hockey conditioning programs. This study aims to fill a knowledge gap in elite sports science and could help optimize training and evaluation methods in professional ice hockey.

Acute Effects of Different Warm-Up Protocols in Competitive Young Swimmers

Several warm-up strategies are commonly employed by athletes to optimize athletic performance and minimize the risk of injury. Recently, Post-Activation Performance Enhancement (PAPE) has been demonstrated to be effective in improving athletic performance. Nevertheless, the difference with the general warm-up is still unclear and poorly studied. Conventionally, short-term performance improvements achieved after brief periods of maximal activity have been attributed to PAP, a muscle memory mechanism that generates involuntary and short-lived effects (\~28 seconds). This condition appears to be activated only by a history of localized maximal contractions. In the literature, various conditioning protocols with differing durations and intensities have been explored, often finding conflicting results in terms of athletic performance. In swimming, few PAPE warm-up protocols outside the pool have been studied, despite their potential usefulness considering the waiting times before competitions. Therefore, this study explores the effects of three different warm-up protocols in young swimmers. Specifically, different exercise protocols will be included in the athletes' usual warm-up routine, aimed at improving athletic performance through PAPE effects. In line with existing literature, the performance parameters examined are the countermovement jump (CMJ) and the times recorded for covering race distances ( 25 m, 50 m, 100 m). In addition, skin temperature, heart rate (HR), muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2), and perceived exertion (RPE) are also measured after the protocols to investigate possible relationships with performance measures. Nevertheless, the primary aim of this study is to compare different warm-up protocols in young swimmers to maximize their athletic performance.

External Iliac Artery Endofibrosis in Cycling

A data request will be made regarding the tests conducted by the subject related to their performance, as well as the results of the medical diagnostic tests performed. The requested data/variables pertain to physical performance: power output on the pedals during training sessions, tests, and competitions, as well as medical tests during the diagnostic process.

Chronic Grape Extract in Crosstraining Athletes: A Randomized Crossover Trial

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of cronic GSE intake in crosstraining may have a favorable impact on biochemical markers, recovery, and performance.

Effects of Combined Training Protocol in Volleyball Players

The 12-week training will take place during the preparation period. At the beginning and end of the 12-week period, vertical jump test, 60 seconds countermovement jump (CMJ) test, change of direction (T-Agility) test, sprint test, YO-YO (level-1) test will be applied in terms of performance test. In terms of skill testing, service test and spiking test protocols will be applied. Players will perform plyometric (PL) or jump rope (JR) training with the same amount of total training time in each training session. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) will be obtained using (CR6-20). All players will also complete the short form of the physical activity enjoyment scale (PACES).

Impact of Delivery Method Elite Athletes.

Labor itself can occur spontaneously vaginally, with the help of extraction methods, or via cesarean section. It can also be planned or awaited for the spontaneous onset of uterine contractions. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages regarding potential damage to the pelvic floor and its stability in vaginal delivery or extraction methods, or concerning the stability of the abdominal wall with subsequent wound healing after a cesarean section. The aim of the study is to retrospectively and prospectively determine the impact of the method of delivery on the performance of female athletes through a questionnaire study. Investigators would like to answer the question of whether cesarean delivery means a later return to training for athletes, whether pregnancy is problematic for female athletes in relation to their BMI, and whether pregnancy often signifies the end of a sports career for female athletes. The questionnaire also includes questions regarding overall women's health-menstrual cycle, incontinence, and mental health of female athletes. Prospectively, the questionnaire will be sent to all female athletes who meet representation limits once a year and for two years after retiring from the national team.

Post-activation Performance Enhancement in Soccer Players:

This study will be conducted in a randomised, crossover design. Soccer players will participate in two test sessions 48 hours apart. The athletes will be pre-tested in the professional direction change test and after the PAPE protocol of the group they are included in is applied, they will be taken to the professional direction change test at 15th second, 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th minutes.

Comparison of Upper Extremity Functional Performance in Hemophilic and Healthy Children

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the functional performance of the upper extremity joints (scapula, shoulder, elbow, and wrist) in haemophilic children and compare muscle strength and ADL limitations with healthy children.

Effect of Acute Phenylcapsaicin Intake on Trained Cross-Training Athletes

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of acute phenylcapsaicin intake during a cross-training session on perceived exertion, performance, and recovery in cross-training athletes.

Acoustic Stimulation During Restricted Sleep After Sleep Deprivation

The purpose of this study is to determine if brief sounds or tones presented within a restricted period of recovery sleep after a period of sleep deprivation will enhance restorative properties and improve performance during a subsequent period of wakefulness.

Effects of Specialised Physical Education in Volleyball on Middle School Students' Physical Fitness and Performance

Physical education stands as a collaborative, bilateral activity essential for the development and improvement of young people's physical qualities and plays a pivotal role in youth sports promotion. Volleyball offers a blend of aerobic and anaerobic exercises, developing muscle strength, bone density, cardiovascular health, and fine-tuning the nervous system. It is effective in improving physical attributes such as strength, speed, agility, endurance, and coordination, which are crucial for holistic student development and success in the standardized PE entrance examinations for senior high school. Recent trends have highlighted a decline in physical fitness among youth, as evidenced by rising obesity rates and increasing failure rates in fitness assessments. To counteract this, the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China 2021 has initiated a shift towards "specialised physical education," integrating health knowledge with basic and specialised motor skills training. This innovative educational model hopes to improve student physical fitness across educational tiers. Therefore, this study chose volleyball specialised physical education as an intervention to study the effect of physical fitness and The PE entrance examination for senior high school performance of middle school students.