Effect of Hot Spring Therapy on Autonomic Nervous System and Exercise Performance During Altitude Training

Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of balneotherapy (hot spring bathing) on cardiac autonomic nervous system function and exercise performance in healthy athletes undergoing high-altitude training. Participants will be randomly assigned to the intervention group (receiving hot spring baths three times per week (38°C, 20 minutes) combined with high-altitude training), the control group (receiving routine recovery protocols combined with high-altitude training), or the hot water immersion group (receiving hot water baths three times per week (38°C, 20 minutes) combined with high-altitude training). Primary outcome measures include heart rate variability (HRV) indices and exercise performance indicators. Secondary outcomes include blood lactate, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), and subjective fatigue. These findings may provide evidence for non-pharmacological interventions to enhance high-altitude training adaptation and exercise recovery.

Conditions

• Altitude Training Adaptation
• Autonomic Nervous System
• Hydrotherapy
• Exercise Performance
• Altitude Sickness

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Control Group：Natural Recovery

Control group participants will undergo the same altitude training protocol (altitude 1600 meters) for 4 weeks. After each training session, participants will receive standard recovery procedures, including 20 minutes of passive rest in a thermoneutral environment (room temperature 24°C), supplemented with mild hydration and self-selected stretching. No hydrothermal intervention will be provided.

BEHAVIORAL

Hot water immersion group

The hot water immersion group will undergo a 4-week altitude training at 1600 meters above sea level. Subjects will receive a 20-minute hot water immersion (daily tap water, 38°C±1°C) in a standardized indoor hot spring facility. The immersion protocol includes whole-body immersion up to the neck for 20 minutes, followed by a 10-minute rest before leaving the facility. Three times per week.

BEHAVIORAL

hot spring immersion group

The hot spring immersion group will undergo a 4-week high-altitude training at an altitude of 1600 meters. Subjects will receive a 20-minute hot spring therapy (natural hot spring water, 38°C ± 1°C) in a standardized indoor hot spring facility. The immersion protocol includes whole-body immersion to the neck for 20 minutes, followed by a 10-minute rest before leaving the facility. Three times per week.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Macao Polytechnic University

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

11 Years

Max Age

17 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-05-25

Primary Completion

2026-06-25

Completion

2026-06-25

Countries

• China

Study Locations