Recovery Optimization Intervention to Reduce the Risk of Injuries in Soccer Players

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.

Conditions

• 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)

Interventions

OTHER

Cold Water Immersion (CWI)

Participants undergo five intermittent immersions of 2 minutes each in cold water (11°C), with 2-minute rest periods in between.

OTHER

Hot water immersion (HWI)

Participants undergo a continuous immersion of 18 minutes in hot water (38°C)

OTHER

Thermography-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 & Collaborators

• University of Castilla-La Mancha

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Jose Luis Felipe, PhD · University of Castilla-La Mancha

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

40 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-05-01

Primary Completion

2025-06-01

Completion

2025-09-01