Sports Performance, Sports Recovery
Conditions
Keywords
Aromatherapy, Post-exercise recovery, Complementary therapy, Athletic recovery
Brief summary
This study aims to investigate the effect of aromatherapy using lavender oil on recovery speed and cardiovascular parameters in healthy athletes following aerobic exercise. Participants will perform aerobic exercise using the Bruce treadmill protocol and will be randomly assigned to either an aromatherapy group (inhaling lavender essential oil) or a control group (no aromatherapy). Heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, perceived exertion, and fatigue levels will be measured before and after exercise. The study seeks to determine whether aromatherapy contributes to faster physiological recovery and reduced fatigue following exercise.
Detailed description
Aromatherapy has gained popularity as a complementary approach in sports science, with claims of improving relaxation, reducing fatigue, and enhancing recovery. Lavender essential oil, in particular, has been associated with cardiovascular modulation and reduced perception of exertion. However, its efficacy in post-exercise recovery among athletes remains under-investigated. This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the physiological and perceptual effects of lavender aromatherapy in athletes following aerobic exertion. Participants aged 15-35 with at least 6 months of regular sports participation will be included. The intervention group will receive inhalation-based lavender oil aromatherapy for 5 minutes after completing the Bruce treadmill protocol, while the control group will rest without aromatherapy. Primary and secondary outcomes include heart rate recovery, blood pressure, oxygen saturation (SpO₂), Borg RPE score, and fatigue severity. Data will be collected at baseline, immediately after exercise, and at 5-minute intervals during recovery. The findings are expected to provide insights into the use of non-pharmacological recovery strategies in athletic populations.
Interventions
OTHERAromatherapy
Participants inhaled lavender essential oil (3 drops in 100 ml water) via diffuser during a 15-minute post-exercise recovery period following the Bruce treadmill protocol.
OTHERPlacebo Diffuser (No Essential Oil)
Participants were exposed to plain water vapor (100 ml of water without essential oil) via diffuser for 15 minutes during post-exercise recovery.
Sponsors
Bezmialem Vakif University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SCREENING
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
12 Years to 14 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Aged between 12 and 14 years Actively engaged in organized sports training (minimum 2 times per week) Medically cleared to participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity No known cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, or metabolic conditions Provided informed assent and obtained written parental/guardian consent
Exclusion criteria
Known allergy to lavender or any component of aromatherapy oils Use of medications that may alter cardiovascular responses (e.g., beta-blockers) History of cardiac disease, hypertension, or arrhythmia Acute or recent musculoskeletal injury (within the last 3 months) Acute upper respiratory tract infection during the assessment week Inability to complete treadmill exercise testing or follow instructions
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Heart Rate Recovery | Baseline, immediately post-exercise, and at 5 and 15 minutes after recovery | Heart rate was measured using a fingertip pulse oximeter. Participants remained seated and still during the measurements to ensure accuracy. The device provided real-time heart rate readings, recorded manually by the researcher. |
| Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure | Baseline, immediately post-exercise, and at 5 and 15 minutes after recovery | Blood pressure was measured with a calibrated manual sphygmomanometer and a standard stethoscope using the auscultatory method. All measurements were taken from the left arm, with the participant in a seated position, after at least one minute of rest. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂) | Baseline, immediately post-exercise, and at 5 and 15 minutes after recovery | Oxygen saturation was assessed using a non-invasive fingertip pulse oximeter. The sensor was placed on the index finger of the dominant hand, and values were recorded once a stable reading was obtained. |
| Rating of Perceived Exertion | Immediately post-exercise and after 15 minutes of recovery | Participants were asked to rate their level of exertion using the Borg 6-20 scale. The scale was visually presented, and participants pointed to the value that best represented their perceived effort. This method is validated and widely used in exercise science. |
| Fatigue Severity Score | Before exercise and after 15 minutes of recovery | The FSS questionnaire was administered in printed form. Participants completed the 9-item scale independently in a quiet environment. Each item was scored on a 7-point Likert scale, and the total score was calculated by averaging all responses. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed