Clinical Research Directory

Association Between Pre-Season Physical Capacity and Injury Risk in Professional Soccer Players

This prospective observational study aims to investigate the relationship between pre-season physical capacities and lower-extremity injury risk during the competitive season in professional male soccer players. A total of 28 healthy professional male soccer players aged 18-35 years, with at least five years of training experience, will be included in the study. Participants will undergo comprehensive physical performance assessments during the pre-season period without being assigned to any experimental intervention or additional exercise program. Baseline assessments will include anthropometric measurements, countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, overhead squat assessment, aerobic fitness using the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15 IFT), eccentric hamstring strength using the NordBord system, and hip abduction and adduction strength using the GroinBar system. Inter-limb strength asymmetries will also be evaluated. Following the pre-season assessments, participants will be monitored for lower-extremity injuries during the competitive season. Injury information, including anatomical location, injury type, duration, and recurrence, will be collected from club physiotherapists and coaching staff. The primary objective is to examine whether pre-season physical performance characteristics, particularly hamstring strength, hip muscle strength, and inter-limb strength differences, are associated with subsequent lower-extremity injury occurrence. The findings may contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between pre-season physical capacity and injury risk in professional soccer and may help sports medicine professionals, physiotherapists, and strength and conditioning coaches identify relevant physical performance indicators for athlete monitoring.

Diaphragmatic Kinesio Taping With HIIT in Trained Individuals

This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether diaphragmatic kinesio taping provides additional physiological and functional benefits when added to an 8-week supervised high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program in trained adults. Participants were randomly assigned to HIIT with or without diaphragmatic kinesio taping. Both groups completed the same supervised cycle-ergometer HIIT program three times per week for 8 weeks. Assessments were performed at baseline, week 4, and week 8 and included heart-rate variability, aerobic capacity, anaerobic performance, pulmonary function, balance, functional mobility, and body composition.

Effect of Aerobic Exercise Training on Cardiorespiratory Function in Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury

Background: \- Many people who have traumatic brain injury (TBI) have low levels of physical fitness. Low physical fitness causes severe fatigue that reduces the ability to perform routine daily activities, and may also cause increased depression, anxiety, or sadness. Aerobic exercise, such as treadmill walking or running, improves physical fitness in most people and may also decrease fatigue and improve mood. However, more information is needed to determine if exercise improves these conditions in people who have TBI. Objectives: \- To examine the effect of an aerobic treadmill walking exercise program on physical fitness, fatigue, and mood in people with TBI. Eligibility: \- Individuals between 21 and 45 years of age who had a nonpenetrating traumatic brain injury at least 6 months before participating; able to understand oral and written English language, give informed consent and sign a consent form; are physically inactive (including activities related to both job and recreation); and are able to stand and walk on a treadmill safely without help. Design: * This study requires 4 testing visits and 36 exercise visits over 14 weeks. * The first and third testing visits will last about 4 hours and the second and final testing visits will take about 2 hours. * Testing visits will consist of a medical history and physical examination, completion of questionnaires (about fatigue, daily physical activity, sleep quality, mood, and overall quality of life), tests of thinking and a treadmill exercise test. * Participants will have treadmill exercise training 3 days per week for 12 weeks. Each session includes a check-in, warm-up, treadmill walking at the training heart rate, and cool-down. Thirty-two of the sessions will last for about 1 hour, and four of the sessions will include questionnaires to fill out and will last about one-and-a-half hours. * After completing the exercise training program, participants will have a final testing visit to complete the questionnaires (about fatigue, daily physical activity, sleep quality, mood, and overall quality of life), tests of thinking and a treadmill exercise test.

Velocity-regulated Jump-squat Training and 15-m Swimming Start Performance in Youth Swimmers

This study aims to examine the effects of a structured swimming training intervention on sport performance-related outcomes in 14- to 15-year-old federated swimmers from Club Huracanes. The study will use a single-group pre-post field design. Participants will complete baseline assessments before the intervention and post-intervention assessments after the final training week. The intervention will be integrated into the regular training process and will be supervised by the coaching and research team. Outcomes will include swimming performance-related measures and adherence to the intervention. Safety will be monitored throughout the study, and any adverse events or musculoskeletal complaints will be recorded. Written informed consent from parents or legal guardians and assent from the athletes will be required before participation.

SUSTAINA Study: Effects of Sustainable Diet and Therapeutic Exercise on Health in Young Athletes

The SUSTAINA study aims to evaluate the effects of sustainable dietary programs combined with individualized therapeutic exercise on metabolic health, body composition, and musculoskeletal function in young athletes. Participants will be randomly assigned to different intervention groups receiving tailored exercise training and nutritional guidance based on Mediterranean diet principles. The study will assess physiological, anthropometric, and functional outcomes to identify effective strategies for preventing metabolic and musculoskeletal disorders.

TRX Training Intensity in Male Adolescent Basketball Players

This randomized interventional study aims to compare the effects of low-, moderate-, and high-intensity TRX suspension training on physical performance in male adolescent basketball players. Forty-two athletes aged 15 to 17 years are assigned to one of three TRX training intensity groups and complete an 8-week supervised training program in addition to their regular basketball practice. Outcomes are assessed before and after the intervention and include agility, dual-task agility, balance, upper-extremity muscular endurance, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). The study seeks to determine whether different TRX training intensities produce distinct adaptations in these performance outcomes and to provide evidence for optimizing suspension-training prescription in youth basketball players.

Generation Victoria Cohort 2020s: A Statewide Longitudinal Cohort Study of Victorian Children and Their Parents

Generation Victoria (GenV) is a longitudinal, population-based study of Victorian children and their parents that will bring together data on a wide range of conditions ,exposures and outcomes. GenV blends study-collected, study-enhanced and linked data. It will be multi-purpose, supporting observational, interventional, health services and policy research within the same cohort. It is designed to address physical, mental and social issues experienced during childhood, as well as the antecedents of a wide range of diseases of ageing. It seeks to generate translatable evidence (prediction, prevention, treatments, services) to improve future wellbeing and reduce the future disease burden of children and adults. The GenV Cohort 2020s is open to all children born over a two-year period, and their parents, residing in the state of Victoria Australia. The GenV Cohort 2020s is preceded by an Advance Cohort of children born between 5 Dec 2020 and 3 October 2021, and their parents. This comprises all families recruited at GenV's Vanguard hospital (Joan Kirner Women's and Children's) and at birthing hospitals throughout Victoria as GenV scaled up to commence recruiting for the GenV Cohort 2020s. The Advance Cohort have ongoing and full participation in GenV for their lifetime unless they withdraw but may have less complete data and biosamples.

Effects of Acute Exercise in Fasting and Fed States in Individuals With Different Aerobic Fitness Levels

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of aerobic fitness level, feeding status, and acute exercise on whole-body metabolic fuel utilization and mitochondrial function in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in healthy young men. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Do individuals with high and low aerobic fitness levels differ in fat and carbohydrate oxidation at rest and during exercise following an overnight fast, and do their PBMC mitochondrial responses to acute exercise differ? 2. Does feeding alter fat and carbohydrate oxidation at rest and during exercise compared with the fasted state in individuals with high aerobic fitness? 3. Are PBMC mitochondrial respiration parameters and their exercise-induced changes associated with fat and carbohydrate oxidation during fasted exercise?

Effects of Small-Sided Games and Repeated Sprint Training in Young Soccer Players

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of 6-week Small-Sided Games (SSG) and Repeated Sprint Training (RST) on body composition, anaerobic power, and selected physical performance qualities in young male soccer players. A total of 24 active male soccer players (aged 16 to 20 years) participating in the Regional Amateur League were randomly assigned into three equal groups: Small-Sided Games Group (SSGG) completing a 4 vs. 4 transition possession game 3 days a week in addition to routine training, Repeated Sprint Training Group (RSTG) completing a 20-meter maximal repeated sprint protocol 3 days a week in addition to routine training, and Control Group (CG) continuing only their routine soccer practice schedule. Before and after the 6-week intervention, participants underwent laboratory and field testing to evaluate body composition (body fat percentage, fat-free mass, BMI), acceleration and maximal speed (10m and 20m sprint tests), agility (Illinois Agility Test), explosive lower-body power (countermovement jump), and maximal anaerobic power (30-second Wingate test) to determine which specific training method provides superior athletic adaptations.

Effects of 8-Week TRX Suspension Training on Body Composition, Anaerobic Power, and Biomotor Abilities in Young Male Volleyball Players

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an 8-week TRX suspension training program on body composition, anaerobic power, and selected biomotor abilities in young male volleyball players. A total of 26 male volleyball players (aged 14-18 years) were randomly assigned into two groups: an Experimental Group (n = 13) and a Control Group (n = 13). The control group participated solely in their routine volleyball training sessions, while the experimental group performed TRX suspension training twice a week in addition to their routine volleyball training over the 8-week period. Pre- and post-intervention evaluations included body composition metrics, anaerobic power (Wingate anaerobic test), vertical jump height, handgrip strength, leg strength, and a 10-meter sprint test. The findings aim to provide evidence on the efficacy of suspension training for physical performance adaptation in youth volleyball athletes.

Core Strength Training, Anthropometry, and Postural Control in Youth Optimist Sailors

Optimist dinghy sailing is a highly demanding youth watersport characterized by prolonged, high-intensity isometric hiking postures and rapid dynamic weight shifts required to preserve boat trim, balance, and sail power output. The core (lumbar-pelvic-hip complex) functions as the central dynamic link in transferring kinetic forces between the lower limbs and trunk during continuous open-water maneuvers. This study is designed as a 12-week randomized controlled interventional trial to evaluate the effects of a periodized, circuit-based Core Strength Training (CST) program integrated into routine Technical Sailing Training (TST) compared to TST alone. Primary endpoints evaluate adaptations in the anthropometric profile (skinfold thickness, circumferences, muscle mass percentage) and postural control parameters (Center of Pressure displacement and sway velocity measured via computerized force platform posturography) in competitive youth Optimist sailors.

Coordinative Exercise in Preschool Children

This study examined the effects of an 8-week motor-skill-enriched coordinative exercise program on physical fitness, motor competence, and response inhibition in preschool children. Forty-four typically developing children from two pre-existing preschool classes participated. One class completed the exercise program twice per week, with each session lasting 20 minutes, while the other class continued its usual preschool activities. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention. Physical fitness was evaluated using countermovement jump, change-of-direction, and static and dynamic balance tests; motor competence was assessed using the KTK3+ test battery; and response inhibition was assessed using the Early Years Toolbox Go/No-Go task.

Impact of a Mobile Exercise Application on Sleep, Pain, and Fitness in Healthy Adults

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a commercially available mobile exercise application on performance-related physical fitness outcomes and selected health indicators in healthy young adults. A total of 78 participants are randomly assigned to a conventional exercise group (n = 26), a mobile application-based exercise group (n = 26), or a control group (n = 26). Both intervention groups complete an identical six-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program, either supervised or delivered via the 7-Minute Workout® mobile application. The control group receives no intervention. Pre- and post-intervention assessments include muscular endurance (curl-ups, push-ups), lower extremity anaerobic power (vertical jump), and hamstring and lower back flexibility (sit-and-reach), as well as self-reported sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and pain (Visual Analog Scale).

Swedish Physical Activity and Fitness Longitudinal Study

Aging means loss of strength, which can affect the ability to lead an active life and be independent. Physical activity can counteract the loss of strength to some extent, but individual differences are large and the mechanisms are partly unknown. The hypothesis is that changes in the innervation and composition of the muscle may explain the individual differences in strength loss. A group of Swedish men and women have participated in this study of physical performance for almost 50 years, since they were 16 years old. The project will improve the understanding of muscle aging. The findings may help to develop strategies to counteract muscle loss and enable healthy aging and to promote physical activity throughout life

Effects of Tiger Milk Mushroom Supplementation on Physical Performance in Physically Active Adults

This study aims to evaluate the effects of Tiger Milk Mushroom (TMM) supplementation on physical performance and overall wellbeing in physically active adults. Tiger Milk Mushroom (Lignosus rhinocerus) is a medicinal mushroom traditionally used in Southeast Asia for promoting health and vitality. Previous laboratory and clinical studies have suggested that Tiger Milk Mushroom possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties that may support physical function, exercise recovery, and overall health. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 60 physically active adults aged 18 years and above will be randomly assigned to receive either Tiger Milk Mushroom supplementation or a matching placebo for 12 weeks. Participants in the intervention group will consume one capsule of Tiger Milk Mushroom twice daily, while participants in the placebo group will consume matching placebo capsules following the same schedule. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, week 6, and week 12. The study will evaluate physical performance through measurements of muscle strength, heart rate, self-paced walking performance, perceived exertion, and aerobic capacity (VO₂max). Blood samples will be collected to assess biomarkers related to cardiovascular endurance, exercise recovery, inflammation, and general health, including cortisol, total iron-binding capacity, creatine kinase, interleukin-2, and interleukin-6. Participants' stress levels and overall wellbeing will also be assessed using validated questionnaires. The purpose of this study is to determine whether Tiger Milk Mushroom supplementation can support physical performance, exercise capacity, recovery, and overall wellbeing in physically active adults.

Vitamin D and Physical Activity on Bone Health

This research will examine the effectiveness of vitamin D or placebo (the placebo is a tablet that looks like Vitamin D study drug, but has no Vitamin D study drug in it), with and without physical activity (walking and progressive resistance exercise), in treating bone loss in women who have undergone treatment for breast cancer. The investigators would also like to find out if the physical activity program improves cardiovascular fitness, energy expenditure, muscular strength, muscle mass, and balance. One hundred five (105) subjects are expected to take part in this study. The investigators don't know if bone loss in breast cancer survivors should be treated differently than bone loss in other women.

Active Schools in Chile: Impact on Fitness, Physical Activity, and Sports Participation

Study Rationale: Currently, a significant proportion of children in Chile do not meet recommended physical activity levels, which may adversely affect their health and development. The school environment provides an ideal setting to promote healthy habits. This study was designed to evaluate whether a school-based program incorporating physical activity, sports, and health education can improve physical fitness and increase the time children dedicate to physical activity practice. Objective: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of a two-year school-based intervention on physical activity levels, muscular fitness (measured by upper body, lower body, and abdominal muscular strength), and sports participation among Chilean schoolchildren. How the study works: This is a single-arm cluster intervention study incorporating a pre-post design. Participating schools were allocated in a specialized program focused on physical activity and the promotion of sports practice throughout two school years. What was measured: At baseline and after the two-year intervention, the following outcomes were assessed: Physical Activity Levels: Measured via accelerometry; Muscular Fitness: Assessed through muscular strength tests, including upper limb strength (handgrip strength using a dynamometer), lower limb strength (standing long jump test), and abdominal strength (60-second curl-up test). Sports Participation: Evaluated through self-reports of involvement in organized sports. Researchers compared pre- and post-intervention data between the intervention to determine if children in the special program showed significantly greater improvements compared to those in the standard routine.

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.

Effects of Policosanol and Exercise on Fitness and Lipids in People With Elevated Blood Lipids

This study will evaluate the effects of policosanol supplementation, concurrent exercise training, and their combination on physical fitness, muscle recovery, inflammatory markers, and blood lipid profiles in adults with elevated blood lipids who are not currently indicated for lipid-lowering medication. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups for 12 weeks: policosanol plus exercise training, policosanol alone, placebo plus exercise training, or placebo without structured exercise training. Participants assigned to the supplementation groups will take policosanol 5 mg per day, while those assigned to the placebo groups will take a matching placebo. Participants assigned to the exercise groups will complete a standardized concurrent exercise training program combining aerobic and resistance exercise. The study will compare changes in physical fitness, lipid profiles, and selected blood biomarkers before and after the intervention. The findings may help determine whether low-dose policosanol, alone or combined with exercise training, can support cardiometabolic health and physical fitness in adults with dyslipidemia.

Effects of Magnesium and Spinning Training on Echocardiographic, Inflammatory, and Aerobic Outcomes

Regular aerobic exercise may improve cardiorespiratory fitness while modulating systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. Spinning, as a structured indoor cycling modality, provides a practical aerobic exercise model with adjustable intensity and duration, but its effects on redox balance, inflammatory status, aerobic capacity, and cardiac functional parameters may vary according to individual recovery and nutritional status. Magnesium is an essential micronutrient involved in energy metabolism, muscle contraction-relaxation, ion regulation, and inflammatory and oxidative pathways; therefore, magnesium use may be relevant to exercise adaptation and recovery. This study aims to evaluate the associations of magnesium use and spinning training with oxidative stress, inflammation, aerobic capacity, and cardiac parameters. In this context, biochemical markers related to oxidative/antioxidant status and inflammation, aerobic performance indicators, and echocardiographic cardiac function parameters will be assessed together. The study is expected to provide real-world evidence on whether magnesium use in individuals participating in spinning training is associated with more favorable redox, inflammatory, aerobic, and cardiac profiles.

Mobile-Based Gamified Physical Activity in Secondary Education

Physical activity (PA) is critical for children's physical, psychological, social and cognitive health. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that children aged 5-17 engage in 60 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per day. However, 81% of children worldwide, 58% of children in Turkey, and 80% of adolescents do not meet these recommendations. Physical inactivity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and metabolic disorders, causing millions of deaths each year. Therefore, school-based interventions offer an important opportunity to improve children's PA, health-related physical fitness, and physical literacy (3F) levels. In recent years, the concept of physical literacy and mobile-based gamification applications have come to the fore. Gamification increases motivation and improves PA levels through elements such as points, badges, levels, and leaderboards. The literature indicates that gamified applications have positive effects on step count and exercise habits. However, research on physical fitness and literacy dimensions remains limited. In this context, the aim of the project is to examine the effects of a 12-week gamified mobile-based physical activity programme on 3F in secondary school students. The research will be conducted with 54 students at a state secondary school in Bursa, and participants will be divided into three groups: the gamified experimental group (GE), the non-gamified experimental group (NG), and the control group (CG). The physical activity programme will consist of daily step targets and weekly exercises, and students will be monitored via the mobile application called 'Time to Move' and a portfolio notebook. The gamification group will use points, badges, levels and a leaderboard, and physical activity homework will also be assigned outside of school. The study will include pre-tests, post-tests and 12-week follow-up measurements. The unique value of the project lies in fostering PA habits through a gamified mobile application, determining 3F levels and examining their effects on these levels, and ensuring the sustainable monitoring of a school-based programme with the support of a mobile application and portfolio. The main objective of the research is to support behavioural change in secondary school students, make PA a lifestyle, and foster healthy living habits in the long term.

Effects of Moderate-intensity Interval Aerobic Exercise (MIIAE) on Inflammatory, Immune, Metabolic, Physical Fitness, and Quality of Life Parameters in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy.

Breast cancer and its treatment with radiotherapy may be associated with systemic inflammatory, hematological, cardiac, body composition, functional and quality-of-life alterations. Exercise has emerged as a non-pharmacological strategy with potential benefits during oncological treatment; however, further evidence is needed regarding the effects of supervised moderate-intensity interval aerobic exercise during radiotherapy. This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of a supervised moderate-intensity interval aerobic exercise programme on systemic inflammatory and immune-derived hematological indices, cardiac biomarkers, body composition, muscle strength, lower-limb power, sleep quality and breast cancer-specific quality of life in women with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy. Participants will be allocated to either an experimental group performing supervised moderate-intensity interval aerobic exercise during radiotherapy or to a control group receiving usual care without structured exercise during the study period. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after completion of the intervention period.

Effects of Aerobic-Based Virtual Reality Exercise Training and Traditional Aerobic Exercise Training on Physical Fitness, Functional Capacity and Cognitive Function in Individuals With Down Syndrome

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of aerobic-based virtual reality exercise training and traditional aerobic exercise training on physical fitness, functional capacity, cognitive functions and quality of life in individuals with Down syndrome.

Comparison of the Cognitive, Dual-task and Physical Effects of 6 Programs With Older Adults

While the association of physical and/or motor and/or cognitive components with training can generate synergistic effects and thus create an efficient cognitive enrichment program, very few studies have focused on finding an optimal combined program for older adults. According to the model of Herold and his colleagues, there are two modalities of simultaneous combined training: Thinking While Moving (TwM), when the additional cognitive task is not linked to the motor task, and Moving While Thinking (MwT), when the cognitive task is integrated into the motor task. They assume the latter approach is the most promising for improving cognitive reserve. Nevertheless, to the investigators' knowledge, only one study has compared these two modalities in older adults and none has broadened the question by comparing several MwT trainings. The goal of this interventional study will be to compare the cognitive, dual-task, and physical effects of 6 physical and/or cognitive programs in healthy but inactive older adults. The main questions it will aims to answer are: * Will the Moving While Thinking and Thinking While Moving programs have the same effects? * If they have different effects, which will be the best way to improve cognitive, dual-task, and physical functions? The study is being set up between 2023 and 2025 to compare the cognitive, dual- ask and physical effects of 6 programs (3 months, 2 sessions of 1 hour per week). Three experimental MwT programs will be studied: Immersive and interactive wall exergames (I2WE), Complex Cognitive and Motor Activities (2CMA), and exergames with Switch (EXER). They will be compared to an experimental TwM program of stationary bike simultaneous to the Switch (Video games + bike) and 2 control programs: inactive video games (VG) and stationary bike (BIKE). A control group (CON) will be also created. Cognitive, dual-task, and physical pre-tests (before the program), post-tests (after the program), and retention tests (3 months after the end of the program) will be realized to evaluate the effects of the programs.