Clinical Research Directory

Balance, Agility, and Strength in Amateur Badminton Players - Novel Badminton Specific Square-Stepping Exercise

The goal of this study was to determine whether a novel badminton-specific square-stepping exercise (bs-SSE) programme could improve dynamic balance, agility, and ankle strength in amateur badminton players. It also examined whether the programme produced greater improvements than usual activity alone. The main questions it aimed to answer were: Does an 8-week bs-SSE programme improve dynamic balance in amateur badminton players? Does the programme improve agility and ankle dorsiflexor and plantar flexor strength? Are these improvements greater than those seen in players who continue their usual activity? Researchers compared an experimental group that completed the bs-SSE programme with a control group that maintained their usual activity. Outcomes were measured at baseline, week 4, and week 8 using the Y-Balance Test for dynamic balance, the Agility T-test for agility, and a handheld dynamometer for ankle strength. Participants in the bs-SSE group showed significant improvements over time in dynamic balance, ankle strength, and agility, while the control group showed minimal non-significant changes. By week 8, both within-group and between-group comparisons favored the experimental group in several balance reach directions, bilateral dorsiflexion and plantarflexion strength, and agility. Post hoc analysis further showed that the intervention effects were most evident between baseline and week 8, with fewer significant differences at week 4. The findings suggest that the bs-SSE programme is a promising sport-specific training approach for amateur badminton players, with potential benefits for performance enhancement and reduction of sports-related musculoskeletal injury risk.

High-Tempo Warm-Up Music and Anaerobic Power During and After Ramadan Fasting

This study investigates whether standardized high-tempo music used during warm-up affects anaerobic power in trained male soccer players during and after Ramadan fasting. Sixteen players completed four experimental sessions in a 2 × 2 within-participant repeated-measures design combining assessment period (during Ramadan vs. approximately two weeks after Ramadan) and warm-up condition (music vs. no music). Within each assessment period, the order of the music and no-music conditions was randomized. Participants completed a modified FIFA 11+ warm-up with or without a standardized high-tempo music playlist (120-140 bpm), followed by the Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST). The primary outcomes were peak power, mean power, relative peak power, and relative mean power. The study examines whether the effects of warm-up music on anaerobic power differ between Ramadan fasting and post-Ramadan conditions.

Contrast Training and Volleyball Players' Jumping Ability

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of three 10-week training interventions on vertical jump performance in volleyball players. Jump performance was assessed using the countermovement jump with arm swing (CMJ+AS) and drop jumps from heights of 20 cm (DJ20) and 60 cm (DJ60). Forty-two male volleyball athletes were recruited, of whom 38 completed the intervention protocol. Participants were assigned to one of three training groups: (i) contrast training with elastic-band assistance (G-CNT), (ii) traditional contrast training (CNT), or (iii) complex training (CTRL). The interventions lasted 10 weeks and included two training sessions per week. Pre- and post-intervention testing was performed using a Kistler 9286BA force platform. During CMJ+AS, jump height (JH), relative peak power (RPP), countermovement time (CMT), and modified reactive strength index (RSImod) were assessed. During DJ20 and DJ60, jump height (JH), relative peak power (RPP), ground contact time (CT), and reactive strength index (RSI) were assessed. Based on the smallest worthwhile change (SWC) in the tested variables, participants were categorized as positive responders, non-responders, or negative responders.

Acute Effects of Neuroathletic Training-Integrated Resistance Training in Collegiate Athletes

This study investigated the acute and short-term effects of neuroathletic training (NAT)-integrated resistance training compared with conventional resistance training on physical and neuromuscular performance in collegiate athletes. Fifty-eight collegiate athletes completed two experimental resistance training sessions separated by one week. The conventional resistance training condition was performed first, followed one week later by a NAT-integrated resistance training condition. Both sessions included the same lower-extremity resistance exercises, training volume, intensity, exercise order, and rest intervals. During the NAT-integrated condition, visual, vestibular, gaze-stabilization, and proprioceptive drills were incorporated before selected resistance sets and during rest intervals. Sprint acceleration, bilateral and unilateral jump performance, eccentric hamstring strength, bilateral hamstring maximum difference, and sit-and-reach flexibility were assessed before training, immediately after training, 15 minutes after training, and 30 minutes after training.

Effects of Different Caffeine Forms on Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise Performance

This study investigated the effects of different caffeine delivery forms on aerobic and anaerobic exercise performance in healthy adults. Participants completed experimental trials involving caffeine capsule ingestion, caffeine gum chewing, and caffeine mouth rinse conditions. Aerobic performance was assessed using maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), and anaerobic performance was evaluated using the Wingate anaerobic test. The study used a randomized crossover design where each participant completed all experimental conditions.

Effects of Multi-component Exercise on Physical Performance and Sleep Quality in Older Adults

This quasi-experimental study evaluated the effects of an 8-week multi-component group exercise program on physical performance and sleep quality among community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan. Participants were recruited from four community care sites in central Taiwan. The intervention group participated in a structured exercise program consisting of aerobic, resistance, balance, and flexibility training conducted at a university-affiliated senior fitness club, while the control group maintained their usual community activities. Primary outcomes included physical performance and sleep quality. Physical performance was assessed using gait speed, chair stand, arm curl, grip strength, balance, and walking tests. Sleep quality was measured using the Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (CPSQI). Heart rate recovery was evaluated as a secondary outcome. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted to determine the effectiveness of the intervention.

Placebo Effect on Cycling Performance: Laboratory Crossover Study

This study aims to determine the impact of the placebo (PLA) effect on physical and cognitive performance in a controlled laboratory setting. The study investigates how expectations and beliefs about substance intake (caffeine vs. placebo) interact with actual consumption to influence performance and physiological stress markers. Healthy adults (n = 80) will participate in four testing sessions using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design. Physiological stress markers (cortisol and alpha-amylase), heart rate, and performance metrics will be monitored during a standardized cycling exercise protocol. This phase provides the dense mechanistic data required to refine a mathematical model of the placebo effect, offering insights into how individual personality traits and cognitive anchoring influence psychophysiological potential.

Placebo Effect in Field-Based Physical Performance

This study aims to investigate the placebo (PLA) effect on physical performance across different sports disciplines in real-world, field-based settings. The study investigates how participant expectations and beliefs regarding caffeine (CAF) intake influence physical performance and psychomotor function outside the controlled laboratory environment. Healthy, physically active adults (n = 120) from diverse sports backgrounds will be randomly assigned to receive caffeine, placebo, or no intervention. Participants will perform discipline-specific field exercise tests (e.g., running-based protocols or repeated sprint protocols) while physiological responses are monitored using wearable technology. Physical performance outcomes and psychomotor responses will be analyzed to evaluate the real-world impact of the placebo effect and to distinguish the pharmacological effects of caffeine from those driven by psychological expectations across different athletic settings.

Acute Effects of Fibular Repositioning Taping on Balance, Jumping, and Sprint Performance

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the acute effects of fibular repositioning taping on balance, jumping, and sprint performance in healthy individuals. Eligible participants are randomly allocated to one of three groups: fibular repositioning taping, sham taping, or control. Physical performance and dynamic balance are assessed at baseline and after the intervention using functional outcome measures, including jumping tests, a 10-meter sprint test, and the Y Balance Test. The study is designed to determine whether fibular repositioning taping produces short-term changes in selected performance parameters compared with sham taping and no intervention.

Body Composition and Lifestyle Factors in ROTC

This study aims to investigates the relationships between body composition, sleep, diet, and physical fitness in ROTC cadets. Further, it aims to evaluate the accuracy of body composition screening methods and identify lifestyle factors linked to performance. Methods include body composition testing, surveys, accelerometry, and fitness score collection from cadets.

The Effects of Liquid IV's Multi-Ingredient Recovery Supplement on Muscle Recovery Following Exercise

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a multi-ingredient recovery supplement . The research will focus on strength recovery and performance maintenance assessing reductions in soreness and inflammation, as well as muscle repair and damage mitigation. By investigating these key recovery metrics, this study aims to investigate the efficacy of this supplement as a solution for active individuals seeking to optimize post-exercise recovery.

Health Benefits of Dance Exercise

In Greece, people of different age groups, including young children to older adults, participate in dance exercise training. Although it is well-known that regular participation in dancing is associated with benefits such as entertainment, socialization and increased physical activity, the long-term effects of dancing on metabolic and mental health as well as physical performance remain largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a 6-month dancing exercise intervention on metabolic and mental health and physical performance in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Characteristics of Performance in Collegiate Cheerleaders and Dancers

This study aims to investigate performance differences between collegiate cheerleaders and dancers classified as normal weight obese and those classified as normal weight lean. The study will assess differences in physical performance, lifestyle behaviors, muscle quality, and nutrition-related factors between groups. Performance testing, body composition assessment, and questionnaire-based measures will be used to characterize these relationships.

Lower-Limb Muscle Mass and Cardiovascular and Muscular Performance in Males and Females

The aim of this study will be to examine the relationship between leg muscle mass and muscle strength, aerobic capacity, anaerobic power, and jumping performance in young adults. In addition, these physical performance measures will be compared between male and female participants. Recreationally active young adults will be recruited to participate in the study. Body weight and leg muscle mass will be assessed using a body composition analyzer. Participants will perform isokinetic and isometric leg strength tests, an aerobic fitness test (VO₂max), an anaerobic power test (Wingate), and a countermovement jump (CMJ) test. This study aims to improve the understanding of the effects of leg muscle mass on physical performance and to identify possible differences between males and females. The findings are expected to contribute to exercise prescription, performance assessment, and future research in sports and health sciences.

Effects of Supplementation on Performance in Football Players

This study investigated the effects of short-term supplementation with taurine, caffeine, and phosphatidylserine on physical and cognitive performance in professional male football players. Eighty-one players were randomly assigned to one of three groups: placebo, taurine plus caffeine, or taurine plus caffeine combined with phosphatidylserine. Supplementation was administered for 10 days, with a final dose taken 60 minutes before a standardized 105-minute football training session. Primary and secondary outcomes included sprint performance, reaction time, GPS-derived locomotor variables, and technical and tactical performance indicators. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether combined multi-ingredient supplementation could improve performance and attenuate fatigue-related declines under match-like conditions.

Lower Limb Strength and Power as Predictors of Brain Blood Flow During Exercise

This study aims to investigate the predictive value of lower limb muscle strength and explosive power on exercise-induced prefrontal hemodynamic responses. Using an interpretable machine learning framework (GCAT-Net), the research analyzes how various physical performance indicators-such as isokinetic muscle strength, 1RM leg press, and vertical jump metrics-can predict oxygenated hemoglobin (ΔHbO) changes in the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) during moderate-intensity cycling.

Effects of Conditioning Activities in Female Athletes

This study will investigate how different warm-up strategies affect physical performance in female athletes who practice invasion sports (e.g., soccer, handball, and basketball). Participants will complete three different conditions: a standard warm-up only, a warm-up followed by a performance-enhancing activity, and a warm-up followed by a low-intensity activity designed to simulate the same expectations without real physiological effects. After each condition, athletes will perform tests of vertical jump performance and change-of-direction speed. In addition, participants will report their perceived effort, expectations, muscle soreness, and recovery status. The study will include eighteen female athletes and will be conducted under controlled conditions, including standardized hydration, recovery, and environmental factors. The design will allow comparison of the physical and psychological effects of the different warm-up strategies on performance.

The Acute Effect of Squat Exercises Performed at Different Depths on Muscle Activation and Jump Performance

This study examined the acute effects of different squat depths (partial, parallel, full) on lower extremity muscle activation and jump performance (countermovement jump - CMJ). Fourteen healthy sports science students participated in this randomized crossover study. Participants performed three sets of squats at their 5-repetition maximum (5RM) load across three different depths. Surface electromyography (SEMG) was recorded from the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), and biceps femoris (BF) muscles during each set, while CMJ performance was assessed before and after the squat protocols.

Effects of Six-Week Accentuated Eccentric Load Training on Balance and Strength in Young Football Players

This study aims to investigate the effects of a structured training intervention on selected physical performance parameters in athletes. The primary objective is to determine whether the intervention leads to measurable improvements in performance outcomes such as balance, strength, sprint, change of direction, or jump performance. Participants will undergo baseline performance assessments before the intervention period. Following the baseline testing, participants will complete a supervised training program lasting several weeks. After the intervention, the same performance tests will be repeated under standardized conditions to evaluate changes in performance. All assessments will be conducted by trained researchers using validated measurement tools in a controlled training environment. The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of the training intervention and contribute to the development of evidence-based training strategies for athletes.

COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study: Effects on Falls and Physical Performance

The COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS; NCT02422745) is a randomized clinical trial of cocoa extract supplement (containing a total of 500 mg/d flavanols, including 80 mg. (-)-epicatechins), and a standard multivitamin supplement to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer among men aged 60 years and older and women aged 65 years and older. This ancillary study is being conducted among participants in COSMOS and will examine whether the cocoa extract supplement or the multivitamin supplement improve musculoskeletal health and prevent falls and declining physical performance in the increasing number of older adults in the U.S. with potential for clinical and public health benefits.

Sanghuangporus Sanghuang Supplementation to Improve Anti-Fatigue Performance in Healthy Adults

This clinical study aims to evaluate the anti-fatigue and muscle performance-enhancing effects of Sanghuangporus sanghuang mycelia (SS-MN4) capsules in healthy adults. As muscle mass and function naturally decline with age or sedentary lifestyle, there is growing interest in nutritional interventions that may help preserve physical performance and reduce fatigue. Sanghuangporus sanghuang, a traditional medicinal fungus, contains bioactive compounds such as hispidin, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 60 healthy male participants aged 20 to 35 years with no regular exercise habits. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either SS-MN4 capsules (1000 mg/day) or a placebo for 42 days. The intervention aims to determine whether SS-MN4 improves exercise performance, muscle strength, and biochemical markers related to fatigue and muscle damage. Throughout the study, blood samples, urine samples, exercise tests (e.g., anaerobic power, isometric strength), and body composition analyses (DEXA) will be conducted at multiple time points, including before, during, and after the intervention. In addition, intestinal microbiota analysis and nutritional intake records will be included to assess secondary outcomes. This research will provide scientific evidence for the health benefits of SS-MN4 in reducing exercise-induced fatigue and improving muscle function. The data collected may support future applications for anti-fatigue health food certification in Taiwan and the development of novel functional supplements for global markets.

Effect of Micronized Creatine Monohydrate on Muscle Mass, Strength and Performance in Older Adults Submitted to Total Knee Arthroplasty

Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial with two parallel arms. The main objective is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of creatine supplementation in older adults who have been operated on for total knee arthroplasty and undergoing a usual rehabilitation program. The intervention will consist of daily creatine monohydrate supplementation for 12 weeks. The intervention will start after surgery with a loading dose of 20g/day for 1 week and then continue with a maintenance dose of 5g/day for 11 weeks. Main outcome mesures included muscle mass, muscle strenght, sarcopenia, frailty, functional capacity and physical performance and will be assessed at baseline, 3 and 6 months follow-up.

Timing of Broccoli Sprout Intake to Improve Exercise Performance

This study examines how the timing of intake of a broccoli sprout-based drink (a natural source of isothiocyanates, ITCs) affects physiological responses, recovery, and performance after a standardized endurance cycling session. Healthy, endurance-trained adults (18-64 years) will complete four laboratory visits at the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH): one screening/physiology test visit and three intervention visits in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over design. On intervention visits, participants will ingest either an active broccoli sprout drink (50 g sprouts) or a placebo drink based on alfalfa sprouts (50 g sprouts) according to randomization. The drink will be consumed either approximately 16 hours before exercise (the evening before) or approximately 3 hours before exercise (the morning of the test), enabling comparison of timing in relation to a standardized \~2-hour cycling protocol (individualized intensity) followed by a 10 km cycling time trial. Outcomes include measures of performance, heart rate, perceived exertion and recovery, blood glucose and lactate, and metabolic responses. Venous blood samples are collected at multiple time points before and after exercise and during the subsequent laboratory recovery period, and muscle biopsies are obtained at defined time points to assess muscle metabolism and recovery-related markers. Participants return \~24 hours after exercise for follow-up sampling after an overnight fast, including a glucose tolerance test

Menstrual Cycle and Women's Performance

This study examines how different phases of the menstrual cycle are associated with selected performance and musculoskeletal parameters in physically active women aged 18-35 years. Participants will track their menstrual cycle using a mobile app for approximately 2 months and attend 3 laboratory visits scheduled to specific cycle phases. At each visit, participants will complete non-invasive assessments including lower-limb strength/performance testing, musculoskeletal measurements (muscle and tendon properties), body composition assessment, and symptom-related questionnaires. The goal is to improve understanding of physiological variability across the menstrual cycle and support evidence-based planning of training, testing, and clinical practice in women.