Fight smarter, not harder: breathing retraining may boost combat Athletes' balance and power
NCT ID NCT07717801
First seen Jul 21, 2026 · Last updated Jul 22, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looks at whether combat sport athletes (like boxers and judo fighters) have dysfunctional breathing patterns that hurt their core stability and balance. Researchers will test if a single session of diaphragmatic breathing retraining can improve breathing, diaphragm function, core endurance, agility, and postural control. The trial involves 60 athletes aged 18-50 with at least 2 years of training experience.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- diaphragmatic breathing retraining
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a simple, drug-free way for combat athletes to improve breathing, balance, and performance.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with only 60 participants. The benefits may be small or not last long, and results may not apply to all athletes.
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
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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
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About 60 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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May 2026
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 to 50 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide 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: * Aged between 18 and 50 years. * Currently participating regularly in combat sports, such as taekwondo, boxing, judo, karate, jiu-jitsu, or similar sports, with at least 2 years of training experience. * Training at least 3 times per week. Exclusion Criteria: * Current or major musculoskeletal injury within the past year that may affect testing or training performance. * History of major thoracic, abdominal, or spinal surgery. * Known cardiopulmonary diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or heart disease; neurological disorders; vestibular dysfunction; or other conditions that may affect balance. * Current or recent pregnancy. * Previous participation in breathing training or respiratory therapy, or current use of medications that may affect respiratory or neuromuscular function. * Inability to complete ultrasound assessment, motion analysis, or exercise testing. * Having a subordinate relationship or conflict of interest with the principal investigator or co-investigators, such as being a supervised student, research assistant, employee, or other related personnel.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Department of Physical Therapy, National Cheng Kung University,
RECRUITINGTainan, 701, Taiwan
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