Hot springs boost altitude training for young athletes?

NCT ID NCT07608887

Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Macao Polytechnic University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether taking hot spring baths (38°C for 20 minutes, three times a week) helps healthy teen athletes adapt to training at 1600 meters altitude. 27 participants were split into three groups: hot spring baths, hot water baths, or standard recovery. Researchers measured heart rate variability, exercise performance, and other markers over 4 weeks. The goal was to see if balneotherapy improves recovery and performance, but the small size and short duration mean results are preliminary.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: balneotherapy (hot spring bathing)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a simple, drug-free way to help athletes recover and perform better during high-altitude training.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early-stage study (27 teens) that only measures short-term effects. Results may not apply to other groups or real-world training.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

27 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Jan 2026

Finished

Mar 2026

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

11 to 17 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Accepted

You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female aged 11-17years * Regular endurance training (≥3 sessions/week) for ≥2 years * No history of altitude exposure \>2000m in the past 3 months * No contraindications to hot water immersion (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, severe cardiovascular disease, open wounds, pregnancy) * Ability to provide written informed consent- Willingness to abstain from other recovery modalities (e.g., massage, cryotherapy, compression garments) during the study period Exclusion Criteria: * History of cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, or endocrine disorders * Current use of medications affecting autonomic function (e.g., beta-blockers, anticholinergics)- History of syncope or heat intolerance * Acute musculoskeletal injury within the past 6 months- Regular use of sauna, hot tub, or spa within the past month * Pregnancy or breastfeeding (for female participants)- Shift work or trans-meridian travel within 2 weeks prior to baseline assessment * Alcohol consumption \>14 units/week or smoking

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

altitude sickness autonomic nervous system disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Altitude sickness Altitude training adaptation Autonomic nervous system Exercise performance Hydrotherapy

Hot springs boost altitude training for young athletes?

What the study statuses mean