Muscle Fatigue (C23.888.592.612.612), Athletic Injuries (C26.857.500.124), Recovery of Function (G11.427.698.620), Cryotherapy (E02.095.301.250), Thermotherapy (E02.095.301.750), Soccer (I03.450.642.845.750), Biomarkers (D23.050.301), Thermography (E01.370.350.700.750), Physical Fitness (G11.427.410.698)
Conditions
Keywords
Muscle Fatigue, Recovery Interventions, Fatigue Reduction, Recovery Optimization, Physical Performance
Brief summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate if recovery interventions using cold and hot water immersion can reduce the risk of injuries in amateur soccer players. The main questions it aims to answer are: Do cold water immersions reduce muscle fatigue and improve performance more effectively than hot water immersions? What is the optimal timing and duration for these recovery interventions to maximize their effectiveness? Researchers will compare: Cold Water Immersion (CWI) Hot Water Immersion (HWI) No Immersion (NI) Thermographic Immersion (TI) based on individual thermal profiles Participants will: Undergo thermographic assessments to determine their thermal profiles. Perform physical tests such as isometric strength tests, countermovement jumps (CMJ), and squats with 50% body weight. Complete wellness questionnaires to assess their subjective recovery and fatigue levels. Provide blood and urine samples for biomarker analysis. Participate in recovery interventions (CWI, HWI, or TI) based on their assigned group.
Interventions
Participants undergo five intermittent immersions of 2 minutes each in cold water (11°C), with 2-minute rest periods in between.
Participants undergo a continuous immersion of 18 minutes in hot water (38°C)
OTHERThermography-Guided Immersion (TI)
Based on thermographic assessments, participants with a hypothermic profile (decreased temperature) receive hot water immersion, while those with a hyperthermic profile (increased temperature) receive cold water immersion.
Sponsors
University of Castilla-La Mancha
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Masking description
We selected None (Open Label) for masking in this study for several reasons: Practicality and Feasibility: The interventions (cold and hot water immersions) are easily distinguishable by participants due to their distinct physical sensations, making blinding impractical. Transparency and Compliance: An open-label design allows full transparency with participants, enhancing compliance and cooperation as they understand the procedures and potential benefits. Ethical Considerations: Providing complete information respects participants' autonomy and their right to make informed decisions about their participation, especially for physical interventions affecting their health. Data Collection and Monitoring: The open-label design facilitates easier monitoring and data collection, improving accuracy and reliability without the need for complex blinding procedures. Focus on Objective Measures: The study relies on objective measures (thermography, biomarker analysis, performance tests)
Intervention model description
This study employs a randomized crossover design to evaluate the effects of different recovery interventions on reducing muscle fatigue and improving performance in football players. The interventions include cold water immersion (CWI), hot water immersion (HWI), no immersion (NI), and thermography-guided immersion (TI). Participants are randomly assigned to different intervention sequences, ensuring each participant receives all interventions in a random order. The study is divided into four blocks, each lasting five weeks. During each block, participants undergo one of the recovery interventions. Interventions: CWI: Five intermittent immersions of 2 minutes each in cold water (11°C). HWI: Continuous immersion of 18 minutes in hot water (38°C). NI: No immersion. TI: Based on thermographic assessments, participants receive either CWI or HWI. Outcome measures include muscle fatigue, performance metrics, biomarker levels, and subjective recovery assessments.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Age: Participants must be adults (18 years or older). Gender: Both male and female participants are eligible. Sport: Participants must be amateur football players. Team Membership: Participants must be members of a football team in the Castilla-La Mancha regional category. Consent: Participants must provide written informed consent to participate in the study. Health: Participants must be in good general health, with no chronic illnesses or conditions that would contraindicate participation in physical activity or water immersion.
Exclusion criteria
Injury: Participants who have sustained an injury that prevents them from participating in football activities for at least two weeks during any of the study blocks. Medical Conditions: Participants with medical conditions that contraindicate water immersion (e.g., severe cardiovascular conditions, open wounds, skin infections). Withdrawal: Participants who choose to withdraw from the study at any point. Non-compliance: Participants who do not comply with the study protocol or fail to attend scheduled sessions. Pregnancy: Female participants who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study period.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Isometric Strenght Test (Adductor) | From pre-intervention to 48 hours post-intervention. | Assessed using isometric strength tests for the adductors (N) |
| Squat Performance | From pre-intervention to 48 hours post-intervention. | Assessed using squat performance with 50% body weight (reps) |
| Muscle Fatigue Reduction: | From pre-intervention to 48 hours post-intervention | Evaluated through changes in biomarkers such as creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and myoglobin levels, measured at multiple time points (pre- and post-intervention). |
| Countermovement Jump (CMJ) test | From pre-intervention to 48 hours post-intervention. | Assessed using the countermovement jump (CMJ) test (cm) |
| Isometric Strenght Test (Hamstrings) | From pre-intervention to 48 hours post-intervention. | Assessed using isometric strength tests for the hamstrings (N) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep Quality | At 24 and 48 hours post-intervention. | Description: Assessed using the Wellness Questionnaire, which includes questions on sleep quality. Unit of Measure: Score on a scale (1-10) Details: Higher scores indicate better sleep quality. |
| Thermographic Assessments | From pre-intervention to 48 hours post-intervention. | Monitoring skin temperature changes using thermography to evaluate the effectiveness of the recovery interventions. |
| Overall Well-Being | At 24 and 48 hours post-intervention. | Description: Assessed using the Wellness Questionnaire, which includes questions on overall well-being. Unit of Measure: Score on a scale (1-10) Details: Higher scores indicate better overall well-being. |
| Perceived Recovery | At 24 and 48 hours post-intervention. | Description: Assessed using the Wellness Questionnaire, which includes questions on perceived recovery. Unit of Measure: Score on a scale (1-10) Details: Higher scores indicate better perceived recovery. |
| Stress Levels | At 24 and 48 hours post-intervention. | Description: Assessed using the Wellness Questionnaire, which includes questions on stress levels. Unit of Measure: Score on a scale (1-10) Details: Higher scores indicate higher stress levels. |
| Fatigue | At 24 and 48 hours post-intervention. | Description: Assessed using the Wellness Questionnaire, which includes questions on fatigue. Unit of Measure: Score on a scale (1-10) Details: Higher scores indicate higher levels of fatigue. |
| Muscle Soreness | At 24 and 48 hours post-intervention. | Description: Assessed using the Wellness Questionnaire, which includes questions on muscle soreness. Unit of Measure: Score on a scale (1-10) Details: Higher scores indicate higher levels of muscle soreness. |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Injury Risk Assessment | From baseline (enrollment) to 24 weeks post-intervention. | Examining the association between recovery interventions and injury risk, based on the incidence of injuries recorded during the study period. |
| Concentration of 3-Methylhistidine in Urine | From pre-intervention to 48 hours post-intervention. | Description: Additional analysis of urine samples for markers such as 3-methylhistidine to assess muscle damage and recovery. Unit of Measure: Micrograms per liter (µg/L) |
Contacts
Primary ContactJose Luis Felipe, PhD
Backup ContactAntonio Alonso, MsC
Outcome results
None listed