Arterial StiffnessNCT07319962
Arterial Stiffness Intercostal Muscle Oxygenation and Aerobic-Anaerobic Capacity in Elite American Football Players
An observational study of Arterial Stiffness and Football Players, run by Gazi University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
American football has become an increasingly popular sport in Türkiye, and one of the key determinants of success in this discipline is the development of strong aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacities. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Arterial Stiffness, Football Players, Muscle Oxygenation
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Jun 2024to 1 Jul 2025
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: Thirty participants, including 15 American football players and 15 healthy controls, were evaluated.
Who may be able to join
- Being a male athlete aged 18-30 years
- Volunteering to participate
- Being a male aged 18-30 years
- Volunteering to participate
Who cannot join
- Having any acute infection, orthopedic, neurological, or sensory problems (hearing, vision, or cooperation difficulties) that could interfere with measurements
- A history of smoking
- A history of alcohol consumption
- A history of COVID-19 infection
- Use of medications or antioxidant supplements
- Included any acute, orthopedic, neurological, or sensory condition that might interfere with the assessments
- Having a regular exercise habit
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Gazi University Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Ankara, Çankaya 06490
Ankara, Çankaya, 06490
About this study
Official title: Investigation of Arterial Stiffness, Intercostal Muscle Oxygenation, Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise Capacity in Elite American Football Players
American football has become an increasingly popular sport in Türkiye, and one of the key determinants of success in this discipline is the development of strong aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacities. Previous research has examined arterial stiffness in various athletic populations, including endurance athletes, wrestlers, badminton players, volleyball players, and soccer players. These studies highlight the importance of detailed cardiovascular and hemodynamic evaluation to identify potential risk groups and to better understand sport-specific physiological adaptations. In sports requiring prolonged physical effort, maximal oxygen uptake is a major determinant of performance, underscoring the need to assess this parameter in elite athletic populations. Although a limited number of studies have investigated aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacities in American football athletes, no research to date has evaluated arterial stiffness or intercostal muscle oxygenation in this group.
The present study aims to investigate arterial stiffness, intercostal muscle oxygenation, aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacity, and upper-extremity endurance in elite American football players compared with sedentary individuals. A cross-sectional study design will be used. Elite male athletes from the Gazi University American Football Team who volunteer to participate will be included, and their results will be compared with age- and sex-matched sedentary individuals. A total of 15 elite male athletes and 15 sedentary participants aged 18-30 years will be enrolled. All participants will undergo standardized assessments of arterial stiffness, intercostal muscle oxygenation, aerobic and anaerobic capacity, and upper-extremity endurance.
Normality of variables will be assessed using visual inspection and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests. Descriptive statistics will be reported as means, standard deviations, and 95% confidence intervals for normally distributed variables, and medians with interquartile ranges (25th-75th percentiles) for non-normally distributed variables. Frequencies and percentages will be used for categorical data. Between-group comparisons will be conducted using the independent samples t-test for normally distributed variables and the Mann-Whitney U test for non-normally distributed variables. Categorical variables will be analyzed using the chi-square test. A p-value of <0.05 will be considered statistically significant.
Read the detailed description
American football is a sport that demands strength, speed, courage, teamwork, and tactical intelligence, and is played with three units-offense, defense, and special teams-over four quarters of 15 minutes each. Beyond technical and tactical training, aerobic and anaerobic power, speed, endurance, body composition, flexibility, coordination, and motor skills are fundamental contributors to performance. From a mechanical perspective, American football is classified as a moderate-dynamic, moderate-static sport, while metabolically it is predominantly anaerobic. Regular physical training plays a critical role in both the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease. Arterial stiffness is an established biomarker of vascular health and an independent determinant of cardiovascular risk. Although the term refers broadly to reduced elasticity, increased rigidity, or diminished distensibility of the arterial wall, all reflect impaired vascular compliance. Progressive arterial stiffening fosters a vicious cycle: rising aortic pressure accelerates vascular damage, promotes left ventricular hypertrophy, increases myocardial oxygen demand, and disrupts diastolic function. Research examining aortic impedance suggests that age-related increases in arterial stiffness occur more slowly in individuals who engage in lifelong regular exercise, although changes that emerge later in life may be irreversible.
Acute aerobic exercise has been shown to transiently improve arterial compliance, with increases of up to 30-40%, returning to baseline approximately one hour after exercise due to enhanced vasodilation. Studies evaluating athletes' brachial and central blood pressure and pulse wave velocity indicate that high-performance sport does not adversely affect arterial stiffness, and proposed reference values may support more detailed cardiovascular and hemodynamic assessment in elite athletic populations. Notably, no studies have specifically examined arterial stiffness in elite American football players. Based on existing evidence, it is anticipated that these athletes will exhibit lower arterial stiffness than sedentary individuals, suggesting reduced cardiovascular risk-a finding that may help identify at-risk groups more accurately.
Assessment of muscle oxygen metabolism in athletes is also crucial. During high-intensity competition, increased ventilatory demand can reduce blood flow to locomotor muscles, contributing to exercise intolerance and premature fatigue. Intercostal muscle oxygenation has been shown to be closely associated with peak oxygen uptake in athletes. As ventilation increases, the metabolic cost of breathing and oxygen consumption rise, elevating the respiratory muscles' oxygen requirements. The ability to adequately deliver oxygen to these muscles is therefore functionally important and merits investigation. However, no studies to date have evaluated intercostal muscle oxygenation in American football players.
Although several studies have explored physical and physiological characteristics across various sports, research specifically examining athletes engaged in American football-particularly in Türkiye, where the sport is expanding at the university level-remains limited. In prolonged athletic activity, maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) is a critical determinant of performance, reflecting the capacity to transport oxygen from inspired air to skeletal muscle mitochondria. At exercise intensities beyond the point at which cardiac output plateaus, the respiratory system must work disproportionately harder to maintain oxygen delivery to active tissues. VO₂max fundamentally represents the oxidative capacity of skeletal muscle mitochondria; higher values support the ability to sustain exercise for longer durations under stable physiological conditions. Aerobic capacity therefore depends on the integrated function of pulmonary, cardiovascular, hematologic, and muscular oxidative systems.
Anaerobic performance also plays a key role in sports requiring high-intensity, short-duration exertion. Energy for such activities is provided primarily through phosphagen and glycolytic pathways, which generate ATP rapidly but in limited quantities, whereas aerobic metabolism produces ATP at a slower rate but with virtually unlimited capacity. The phosphagen system supports explosive movements lasting up to approximately 15 seconds; activities lasting 15-30 seconds rely on both phosphagen and glycolytic pathways; and efforts of around 30 seconds depend almost entirely on glycolysis. Anaerobic performance varies according to individual and environmental factors, but regular training enhances these systems significantly. Athletes with higher anaerobic capacities typically exhibit greater fast-twitch muscle fiber content, larger muscle cross-sectional area, and superior muscle strength-factors that contribute to essential performance attributes such as sprinting and explosive lower-limb force.
Despite the central role of these physiological determinants, no research has examined arterial stiffness in elite American football players, and studies evaluating intercostal muscle oxygenation as well as aerobic and anaerobic capacities in this population are scarce. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate arterial stiffness, intercostal muscle oxygenation, and aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacity in elite American football players and to compare these outcomes with those of sedentary individuals.
- Conditions
- Arterial Stiffness, Football Players, Muscle Oxygenation
- Keywords
- American football, arterial stiffness, muscle oxygenation, aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Elite male American football players | Demographic characteristics were recorded. Inclusion criteria for the elite American football group were being a male athlete aged 18-30 years and volunteering to participate. Exclusion criteria included having any acute infection, orthopedic, neurological, or sensory problems (hearing, vision, or cooperation difficulties) that could interfere with measurements, a history of smoking, alcohol consumption, or COVID-19 infection, and use of medications or antioxidant supplements. Aerobic exercise capacity was evaluated using the Incremental Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT), anaerobic exercise capacity with the Vertical Jump Test, arterial stiffness using the SphygmoCor® XCEL Pulse Wave Analysis (PWA) Arteriograph, and intercostal muscle oxygenation by the Moxy® Muscle Oxygen Monitor. | |
| Health Controls | Demographic characteristics were recorded. The sedentary group (sedentary individuals were defined as those engaging in less than 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity or its equivalent, according to WHO guidelines, inclusion criteria were being a male aged 18-30 years and volunteering to participate, while exclusion criteria included any acute, orthopedic, neurological, or sensory condition that might interfere with the assessments, as well as having a regular exercise habit. Aerobic exercise capacity was evaluated using Incremental Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT), anaerobic exercise capacity with the Vertical Jump Test, arterial stiffness using the SphygmoCor® XCEL Pulse Wave Analysis (PWA) Arteriograph, and intercostal muscle oxygenation by the Moxy® Muscle Oxygen Monitor. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Arterial stiffness
Arterial stiffness was assessed noninvasively using the SphygmoCor XCEL® system (AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia), a device with established validity and reliability for evaluating central hemodynamic parameters. The device provided measures of aortic systolic blood pressure (SBP), aortic pulse pressure (APP), augmentation pressure (AP), augmentation index (AIx), heart rate-corrected augmentation index (AIx@75), aortic diastolic pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and ejection duration (ED).
Measured: First Day
Aortic systolic blood pressure (SBP)
Aortic systolic blood pressure (SBP) was assessed noninvasively using the SphygmoCor XCEL® system (AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia), a device with established validity and reliability for evaluating central hemodynamic parameters.
Measured: First Day
Aortic pulse pressure (APP)
Aortic pulse pressure (APP)was assessed noninvasively using the SphygmoCor XCEL® system (AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia), a device with established validity and reliability for evaluating central hemodynamic parameters.
Measured: First Day
Augmentation pressure (AP)
Augmentation pressure (AP) was assessed noninvasively using the SphygmoCor XCEL® system (AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia), a device with established validity and reliability for evaluating central hemodynamic parameters.
Measured: First Day
Heart rate-corrected augmentation index (AIx@75)
Heart rate-corrected augmentation index (AIx@75) was assessed noninvasively using the SphygmoCor XCEL® system (AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia), a device with established validity and reliability for evaluating central hemodynamic parameters.
Measured: First Day
Aortic diastolic pressure (DBP)
Aortic diastolic pressure (DBP) was assessed noninvasively using the SphygmoCor XCEL® system (AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia), a device with established validity and reliability for evaluating central hemodynamic parameters.
Measured: First Day
Mean arterial pressure (MAP)
Arterial stiffness was assessed noninvasively using the SphygmoCor XCEL® system (AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia), a device with established validity and reliability for evaluating central hemodynamic parameters.
Measured: First Day
Heart rate (HR)
Heart rate (HR) was assessed noninvasively using the SphygmoCor XCEL® system (AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia), a device with established validity and reliability for evaluating central hemodynamic parameters.
Measured: First Day
Ejection duration (ED)
Ejection duration (ED) was assessed noninvasively using the SphygmoCor XCEL® system (AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia), a device with established validity and reliability for evaluating central hemodynamic parameters.
Measured: First Day
Muscle oxygenation
Muscle oxygenation was assessed using the Moxy® Monitor (Fortiori Design LLC, Minnesota, USA), a small, lightweight, and wireless near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device that measures local muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) and total hemoglobin (THb) in the capillary bed of the underlying muscle tissue.
Measured: First Day
Aerobic exercise capacity
Maximal exercise capacity was evaluated using the ISWT, a standardized, externally paced, symptom-limited field test that progressively increases walking speed at one-minute intervals.
Measured: First day
Secondary outcomes (2)
Anaerobic exercise capacity
Anaerobic capacity was assessed using the Vertical Jump Test (VJT), a valid and practical field-based method for evaluating lower-limb power and anaerobic performance. The test was performed on a flat, non-slip surface under standardized conditions. Participants stood upright with feet shoulder-width apart and arms fully extended overhead to determine standing reach height. Subsequently, a maximal countermovement jump was performed by rapidly flexing the knees and explosively extending the lower extremities, without using the arms for assistance. Jump reach height was recorded, and vertical jump height was calculated as the difference between standing reach and jump reach. The test was repeated 3-5 times with adequate rest between trials to minimize fatigue, and the highest jump was used for analysis.
Measured: First day
Anaerobic power
Anaerobic power was assessed using a vertical jump test and calculated with a validated formula based on jump height and body mass. Participants performed maximal countermovement vertical jumps following a standardized warm-up. Hands were kept on the hips to minimize upper-extremity contribution. Jump height was measured using a validated system, and the highest value obtained was used for analysis. Anaerobic power (W) was calculated as √(4.9 × body mass [kg]) × √(jump height [m]). This method provides an indirect but reliable estimation of lower-extremity anaerobic power and reflects the ability to generate high power output during short-duration explosive movements.
Measured: First day
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 Jan 2026
- Study start1 Jun 2024
- Primary completion1 Jun 2025
- Study completion1 Jul 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (7)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Arterial StiffnessStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Gazi UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Retrospective
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Gazi University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Meral Boşnak Güçlü, Gazi University
- Investigators
- Betül Yoleri, MSc, Study chair, Gazi UniversityMeral Boşnak Güçlü, Prof, Study director, Gazi UniversityNeslişah Tunçay, Pt, Principal investigator, Gazi UniversityAleyna Gökdeniz, Pt, Principal investigator, Gazi UniversityBünyamin Ertuş, Pt, Principal investigator, Gazi UniversityEsin Yağmur Kart, Pt, Principal investigator, Gazi University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07319962
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Gazi2708
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 8 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 6 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Ross A, Leveritt M. Long-term metabolic and skeletal muscle adaptations to short-sprint training: implications for sprint training and tapering. Sports Med. 2001;31(15):1063-82. doi: 10.2165/00007256-200131150-00003.
PubMed 11735686Mayorga-Vega D, Aguilar-Soto P, Viciana J. Criterion-Related Validity of the 20-M Shuttle Run Test for Estimating Cardiorespiratory Fitness: A Meta-Analysis. J Sports Sci Med. 2015 Aug 11;14(3):536-47. eCollection 2015 Sep.
PubMed 26336340Allen TW, Vogel RA, Lincoln AE, Dunn RE, Tucker AM. Body size, body composition, and cardiovascular disease risk factors in NFL players. Phys Sportsmed. 2010 Apr;38(1):21-7. doi: 10.3810/psm.2010.04.1758.
PubMed 20424398Bangsbo J, Mohr M, Krustrup P. Physical and metabolic demands of training and match-play in the elite football player. J Sports Sci. 2006 Jul;24(7):665-74. doi: 10.1080/02640410500482529.
PubMed 16766496Perrey S, Quaresima V, Ferrari M. Muscle Oximetry in Sports Science: An Updated Systematic Review. Sports Med. 2024 Apr;54(4):975-996. doi: 10.1007/s40279-023-01987-x. Epub 2024 Feb 12.
PubMed 38345731Ashor AW, Lara J, Siervo M, Celis-Morales C, Mathers JC. Effects of exercise modalities on arterial stiffness and wave reflection: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS One. 2014 Oct 15;9(10):e110034. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110034. eCollection 2014.
PubMed 25333969Kresnajati S, Lin YY, Mundel T, Bernard JR, Lin HF, Liao YH. Changes in Arterial Stiffness in Response to Various Types of Exercise Modalities: A Narrative Review on Physiological and Endothelial Senescence Perspectives. Cells. 2022 Nov 9;11(22):3544. doi: 10.3390/cells11223544.
PubMed 36428973
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 6 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Investigation of Arterial Stiffness, Intercostal Muscle Oxygenation, Aerobic and Anaerobic Exercise Capacity in Elite American Football Players
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07319962
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Gazi2708
- Conditions
- Arterial Stiffness, Football Players, Muscle Oxygenation
- Keywords
- American football, arterial stiffness, muscle oxygenation, aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Gazi UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jun 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Jul 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 6 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
American football has become an increasingly popular sport in Türkiye, and one of the key determinants of success in this discipline is the development of strong aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacities. Previous research has examined arterial stiffness in various athletic populations, including endurance athletes, wrestlers, badminton players, volleyball players, and soccer players. These studies highlight the importance of detailed cardiovascular and hemodynamic evaluation to identify potential risk groups and to better understand sport-specific physiological adaptations. In sports requiring prolonged physical effort, maximal oxygen uptake is a major determinant of performance, underscoring the need to assess this parameter in elite athletic populations. Although a limited number of studies have investigated aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacities in American football athletes, no research to date has evaluated arterial stiffness or intercostal muscle oxygenation in this group.
The present study aims to investigate arterial stiffness, intercostal muscle oxygenation, aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacity, and upper-extremity endurance in elite American football players compared with sedentary individuals. A cross-sectional study design will be used. Elite male athletes from the Gazi University American Football Team who volunteer to participate will be included, and their results will be compared with age- and sex-matched sedentary individuals. A total of 15 elite male athletes and 15 sedentary participants aged 18-30 years will be enrolled. All participants will undergo standardized assessments of arterial stiffness, intercostal muscle oxygenation, aerobic and anaerobic capacity, and upper-extremity endurance.
Normality of variables will be assessed using visual inspection and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests. Descriptive statistics will be reported as means, standard deviations, and 95% confidence intervals for normally distributed variables, and medians with interquartile ranges (25th-75th percentiles) for non-normally distributed variables. Frequencies and percentages will be used for categorical data. Between-group comparisons will be conducted using the independent samples t-test for normally distributed variables and the Mann-Whitney U test for non-normally distributed variables. Categorical variables will be analyzed using the chi-square test. A p-value of <0.05 will be considered statistically significant.
Detailed description
American football is a sport that demands strength, speed, courage, teamwork, and tactical intelligence, and is played with three units-offense, defense, and special teams-over four quarters of 15 minutes each. Beyond technical and tactical training, aerobic and anaerobic power, speed, endurance, body composition, flexibility, coordination, and motor skills are fundamental contributors to performance. From a mechanical perspective, American football is classified as a moderate-dynamic, moderate-static sport, while metabolically it is predominantly anaerobic. Regular physical training plays a critical role in both the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease. Arterial stiffness is an established biomarker of vascular health and an independent determinant of cardiovascular risk. Although the term refers broadly to reduced elasticity, increased rigidity, or diminished distensibility of the arterial wall, all reflect impaired vascular compliance. Progressive arterial stiffening fosters a vicious cycle: rising aortic pressure accelerates vascular damage, promotes left ventricular hypertrophy, increases myocardial oxygen demand, and disrupts diastolic function. Research examining aortic impedance suggests that age-related increases in arterial stiffness occur more slowly in individuals who engage in lifelong regular exercise, although changes that emerge later in life may be irreversible.
Acute aerobic exercise has been shown to transiently improve arterial compliance, with increases of up to 30-40%, returning to baseline approximately one hour after exercise due to enhanced vasodilation. Studies evaluating athletes' brachial and central blood pressure and pulse wave velocity indicate that high-performance sport does not adversely affect arterial stiffness, and proposed reference values may support more detailed cardiovascular and hemodynamic assessment in elite athletic populations. Notably, no studies have specifically examined arterial stiffness in elite American football players. Based on existing evidence, it is anticipated that these athletes will exhibit lower arterial stiffness than sedentary individuals, suggesting reduced cardiovascular risk-a finding that may help identify at-risk groups more accurately.
Assessment of muscle oxygen metabolism in athletes is also crucial. During high-intensity competition, increased ventilatory demand can reduce blood flow to locomotor muscles, contributing to exercise intolerance and premature fatigue. Intercostal muscle oxygenation has been shown to be closely associated with peak oxygen uptake in athletes. As ventilation increases, the metabolic cost of breathing and oxygen consumption rise, elevating the respiratory muscles' oxygen requirements. The ability to adequately deliver oxygen to these muscles is therefore functionally important and merits investigation. However, no studies to date have evaluated intercostal muscle oxygenation in American football players.
Although several studies have explored physical and physiological characteristics across various sports, research specifically examining athletes engaged in American football-particularly in Türkiye, where the sport is expanding at the university level-remains limited. In prolonged athletic activity, maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) is a critical determinant of performance, reflecting the capacity to transport oxygen from inspired air to skeletal muscle mitochondria. At exercise intensities beyond the point at which cardiac output plateaus, the respiratory system must work disproportionately harder to maintain oxygen delivery to active tissues. VO₂max fundamentally represents the oxidative capacity of skeletal muscle mitochondria; higher values support the ability to sustain exercise for longer durations under stable physiological conditions. Aerobic capacity therefore depends on the integrated function of pulmonary, cardiovascular, hematologic, and muscular oxidative systems.
Anaerobic performance also plays a key role in sports requiring high-intensity, short-duration exertion. Energy for such activities is provided primarily through phosphagen and glycolytic pathways, which generate ATP rapidly but in limited quantities, whereas aerobic metabolism produces ATP at a slower rate but with virtually unlimited capacity. The phosphagen system supports explosive movements lasting up to approximately 15 seconds; activities lasting 15-30 seconds rely on both phosphagen and glycolytic pathways; and efforts of around 30 seconds depend almost entirely on glycolysis. Anaerobic performance varies according to individual and environmental factors, but regular training enhances these systems significantly. Athletes with higher anaerobic capacities typically exhibit greater fast-twitch muscle fiber content, larger muscle cross-sectional area, and superior muscle strength-factors that contribute to essential performance attributes such as sprinting and explosive lower-limb force.
Despite the central role of these physiological determinants, no research has examined arterial stiffness in elite American football players, and studies evaluating intercostal muscle oxygenation as well as aerobic and anaerobic capacities in this population are scarce. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate arterial stiffness, intercostal muscle oxygenation, and aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacity in elite American football players and to compare these outcomes with those of sedentary individuals.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Retrospective
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Elite male American football players | – | –Demographic characteristics were recorded. Inclusion criteria for the elite American football group were being a male athlete aged 18-30 years and volunteering to participate. Exclusion criteria included having any acute infection, orthopedic, neurological, or sensory problems (hearing, vision, or cooperation difficulties) that could interfere with measurements, a history of smoking, alcohol consumption, or COVID-19 infection, and use of medications or antioxidant supplements. Aerobic exercise capacity was evaluated using the Incremental Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT), anaerobic exercise capacity with the Vertical Jump Test, arterial stiffness using the SphygmoCor® XCEL Pulse Wave Analysis (PWA) Arteriograph, and intercostal muscle oxygenation by the Moxy® Muscle Oxygen Monitor. |
| Health Controls | – | –Demographic characteristics were recorded. The sedentary group (sedentary individuals were defined as those engaging in less than 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity or its equivalent, according to WHO guidelines, inclusion criteria were being a male aged 18-30 years and volunteering to participate, while exclusion criteria included any acute, orthopedic, neurological, or sensory condition that might interfere with the assessments, as well as having a regular exercise habit. Aerobic exercise capacity was evaluated using Incremental Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT), anaerobic exercise capacity with the Vertical Jump Test, arterial stiffness using the SphygmoCor® XCEL Pulse Wave Analysis (PWA) Arteriograph, and intercostal muscle oxygenation by the Moxy® Muscle Oxygen Monitor. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- Thirty participants, including 15 American football players and 15 healthy controls, were evaluated.
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Being a male athlete aged 18-30 years
- Volunteering to participate
- Being a male aged 18-30 years
- Volunteering to participate
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Having any acute infection, orthopedic, neurological, or sensory problems (hearing, vision, or cooperation difficulties) that could interfere with measurements
- A history of smoking
- A history of alcohol consumption
- A history of COVID-19 infection
- Use of medications or antioxidant supplements
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Arterial stiffness
Time frame: First Day
Arterial stiffness was assessed noninvasively using the SphygmoCor XCEL® system (AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia), a device with established validity and reliability for evaluating central hemodynamic parameters. The device provided measures of aortic systolic blood pressure (SBP), aortic pulse pressure (APP), augmentation pressure (AP), augmentation index (AIx), heart rate-corrected augmentation index (AIx@75), aortic diastolic pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and ejection duration (ED).
Aortic systolic blood pressure (SBP)
Time frame: First Day
Aortic systolic blood pressure (SBP) was assessed noninvasively using the SphygmoCor XCEL® system (AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia), a device with established validity and reliability for evaluating central hemodynamic parameters.
Aortic pulse pressure (APP)
Time frame: First Day
Aortic pulse pressure (APP)was assessed noninvasively using the SphygmoCor XCEL® system (AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia), a device with established validity and reliability for evaluating central hemodynamic parameters.
Augmentation pressure (AP)
Time frame: First Day
Augmentation pressure (AP) was assessed noninvasively using the SphygmoCor XCEL® system (AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia), a device with established validity and reliability for evaluating central hemodynamic parameters.
Heart rate-corrected augmentation index (AIx@75)
Time frame: First Day
Heart rate-corrected augmentation index (AIx@75) was assessed noninvasively using the SphygmoCor XCEL® system (AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia), a device with established validity and reliability for evaluating central hemodynamic parameters.
Aortic diastolic pressure (DBP)
Time frame: First Day
Aortic diastolic pressure (DBP) was assessed noninvasively using the SphygmoCor XCEL® system (AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia), a device with established validity and reliability for evaluating central hemodynamic parameters.
Mean arterial pressure (MAP)
Time frame: First Day
Arterial stiffness was assessed noninvasively using the SphygmoCor XCEL® system (AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia), a device with established validity and reliability for evaluating central hemodynamic parameters.
Heart rate (HR)
Time frame: First Day
Heart rate (HR) was assessed noninvasively using the SphygmoCor XCEL® system (AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia), a device with established validity and reliability for evaluating central hemodynamic parameters.
Ejection duration (ED)
Time frame: First Day
Ejection duration (ED) was assessed noninvasively using the SphygmoCor XCEL® system (AtCor Medical, Sydney, Australia), a device with established validity and reliability for evaluating central hemodynamic parameters.
Muscle oxygenation
Time frame: First Day
Muscle oxygenation was assessed using the Moxy® Monitor (Fortiori Design LLC, Minnesota, USA), a small, lightweight, and wireless near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) device that measures local muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) and total hemoglobin (THb) in the capillary bed of the underlying muscle tissue.
Aerobic exercise capacity
Time frame: First day
Maximal exercise capacity was evaluated using the ISWT, a standardized, externally paced, symptom-limited field test that progressively increases walking speed at one-minute intervals.
2 secondary outcomes
Anaerobic exercise capacity
Time frame: First day
Anaerobic power
Time frame: First day
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 6 Jan 2026.
- Results publication: PubMed 11735686Ross A, Leveritt M. Long-term metabolic and skeletal muscle adaptations to short-sprint training: implications for sprint training and tapering. Sports Med. 2001;31(15):1063-82. doi: 10.2165/00007256-200131150-00003.
- Results publication: PubMed 26336340Mayorga-Vega D, Aguilar-Soto P, Viciana J. Criterion-Related Validity of the 20-M Shuttle Run Test for Estimating Cardiorespiratory Fitness: A Meta-Analysis. J Sports Sci Med. 2015 Aug 11;14(3):536-47. eCollection 2015 Sep.
- Results publication: PubMed 20424398Allen TW, Vogel RA, Lincoln AE, Dunn RE, Tucker AM. Body size, body composition, and cardiovascular disease risk factors in NFL players. Phys Sportsmed. 2010 Apr;38(1):21-7. doi: 10.3810/psm.2010.04.1758.
- Results publication: PubMed 16766496Bangsbo J, Mohr M, Krustrup P. Physical and metabolic demands of training and match-play in the elite football player. J Sports Sci. 2006 Jul;24(7):665-74. doi: 10.1080/02640410500482529.
- Results publication: PubMed 38345731Perrey S, Quaresima V, Ferrari M. Muscle Oximetry in Sports Science: An Updated Systematic Review. Sports Med. 2024 Apr;54(4):975-996. doi: 10.1007/s40279-023-01987-x. Epub 2024 Feb 12.
- Results publication: PubMed 25333969Ashor AW, Lara J, Siervo M, Celis-Morales C, Mathers JC. Effects of exercise modalities on arterial stiffness and wave reflection: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS One. 2014 Oct 15;9(10):e110034. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110034. eCollection 2014.
- Results publication: PubMed 36428973Kresnajati S, Lin YY, Mundel T, Bernard JR, Lin HF, Liao YH. Changes in Arterial Stiffness in Response to Various Types of Exercise Modalities: A Narrative Review on Physiological and Endothelial Senescence Perspectives. Cells. 2022 Nov 9;11(22):3544. doi: 10.3390/cells11223544.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Betül Yoleri, MSc study chair
Gazi University
Meral Boşnak Güçlü, Prof study director
Gazi University
Neslişah Tunçay, Pt principal investigator
Gazi University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Arterial Stiffness and Football Players, run by Gazi University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 6 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Arterial stiffness (time frame: First Day). The study lists 11 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07319962, which also lists 7 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 6 Jan 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.