Aerobic PerformanceNCT07406386
Integrating Halotherapy Into Preseason Training Improves Respiratory and Aerobic Performance in Elite Female Soccer Players
A study testing Halotherapy Group in people with Aerobic Performance and Respiratory Function, run by Gümüşhane Universıty at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week halotherapy intervention on respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, aerobic capacity, and intermittent running performance in elite female soccer players. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Aerobic Performance, Respiratory Function, Athletic Performance
- What is being tested?
- Halotherapy Group
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 28 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 5 Apr 2022to 20 Jul 2022
- Phase
- Interventional
- 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
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Female soccer players aged 18-30 years
- Competing in the Turkish Women's First League
- Minimum of 5 years of competitive soccer experience
- Regular training ≥10 hours per week
- Free from injury at study entry
- Non-smokers
- Not using chronic medication
- Provided written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Presence of respiratory, cardiovascular, or metabolic disease
- Current musculoskeletal injury
- Smoking
- Pregnancy
- Use of medications affecting respiratory or cardiovascular function
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Gumushane Univetsity
Gümüşhane, Trabzon, Ordu, Giresun, Rize, Artvin, Gümüşhane, 29600
About this study
This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week halotherapy intervention on respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, aerobic capacity, and intermittent running performance in elite female soccer players. Participants were randomly assigned to either a halotherapy group or a control group. Both groups followed the same preseason soccer training program, while the halotherapy group additionally received regular halotherapy sessions. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included spirometric measurements, respiratory muscle strength, estimated VO₂max, and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 performance.
Read the detailed description
Aerobic capacity and respiratory efficiency are critical determinants of performance in elite soccer. Halotherapy, a non-pharmacological intervention involving inhalation of dry salt aerosol in a controlled environment, has been shown to improve pulmonary health in clinical populations; however, evidence in athletic populations remains limited.
This randomized parallel-group trial was conducted during the preseason period of the Turkish Women's First League. Twenty-eight elite female soccer players were randomly allocated to a halotherapy group or a control group. Both groups completed an identical 12-week soccer training program. In addition to training, the halotherapy group underwent 45-minute halotherapy sessions three times per week in a controlled halochamber environment.
Outcome measures included maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP, MEP), pulmonary function parameters (FVC, FEV₁, PEF, MVV), aerobic capacity estimated via the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1, and total distance covered in the Yo-Yo test. Measurements were collected before and after the intervention period. The study aimed to determine whether halotherapy provides additive benefits to standard soccer training in elite female athletes.
- Conditions
- Aerobic Performance, Respiratory Function, Athletic Performance, Respiratory Muscle Strength, Elite Female Athletes, Halotherapy
- Being tested
- Halotherapy Group, Control
- Keywords
- Halotherapy, Elite female soccer players, Respiratory muscle strength, Pulmonary function, Aerobic capacity, Non-pharmacological intervention
- Medical subject headings
- Respiratory Aspiration
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Halotherapy GroupOther
Participants followed the standard preseason soccer training program and additionally received halotherapy.
Halotherapy sessions were conducted in a controlled halochamber using a dry salt aerosol generator. Sessions lasted 45 minutes and were performed three times per week for 12 weeks. Aerosol concentration was maintained at approximately 20 mg/m³ with particle size <5 microns. Environmental conditions were controlled (temperature 20-24°C, humidity 40-60%).
ControlOther
Participants followed the same standard preseason soccer training program without halotherapy.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Halotherapy Group | Experimental | Participants followed the standard preseason soccer training program and additionally received halotherapy. Halotherapy sessions were conducted in a controlled halochamber using a dry salt aerosol generator. Sessions lasted 45 minutes and were performed three times per week for 12 weeks. Aerosol concentration was maintained at approximately 20 mg/m³ with particle size <5 microns. Environmental conditions were controlled (temperature 20-24°C, humidity 40-60%). Receives: Other: Halotherapy Group; Other: Control |
| CONTROL | No intervention | Participants followed the same standard preseason soccer training program without halotherapy. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP)
Expiratory muscle strength measured using a portable respiratory pressure meter.
Measured: 12 week
Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP)
Inspiratory muscle strength measured using a portable respiratory pressure meter.
Measured: 12 week
Aerobic Capacity (VO₂max estimate)
VO₂max estimated using the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1.
Measured: 12 week
Secondary outcomes (4)
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
Measured by spirometry.
Measured: 12 week
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV₁)
Measured by spirometry.
Measured: 12 weeks
Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)
Measured by spirometry.
Measured: 12 week
Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 Distance
VO₂max estimated using the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1.
Measured: 12 week
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 Feb 2026
- Study start5 Apr 2022
- Primary completion15 Jul 2022
- Study completion20 Jul 2022
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Aerobic PerformanceStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Halotherapy sessions were conducted in a controlled halochamber using a dry salt aerosol generator. Sessions lasted 45 minutes and were performed three times per week for 12 weeks. Aerosol concentration was maintained at approximately 20 mg/m³ with particle size \<5 microns. Environmental conditions were controlled (temperature 20-24°C, humidity 40-60%).
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 28 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Gümüşhane Universıty
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Coşkun YILMAZ, Gümüşhane Universıty
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07406386
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2022/2-3
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 6 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 12 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared because the study involves a small sample of elite athletes from a single professional team, which may increase the risk of indirect participant identification. Additionally, the informed consent obtained from participants did not include explicit permission for public sharing of individual-level data. Data are therefore available only in aggregated form to protect participant confidentiality.
Publications
Sarisik DC, Aydin AS, Soyler M, Zileli R, Ozkurt A, Yilmaz C, Kucuk H, Karatas M. Effects of Halotherapy as an Adjunct to Preseason Training on Respiratory and Aerobic Outcomes in Elite Female Football Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Life (Basel). 2026 Jul 25;16(8):1233. doi: 10.3390/life16081233.
PubMed 42652921
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 12 Feb 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Integrating Halotherapy Into Preseason Training Improves Respiratory and Aerobic Performance in Elite Female Soccer Players
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07406386
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2022/2-3
- Conditions
- Aerobic Performance, Respiratory Function, Athletic Performance, Respiratory Muscle Strength, Elite Female Athletes, Halotherapy
- Keywords
- Halotherapy, Elite female soccer players, Respiratory muscle strength, Pulmonary function, Aerobic capacity, Non-pharmacological intervention
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 28 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Gümüşhane UniversıtyUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 5 Apr 2022 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Jul 2022 (actual)
- Study completion
- 20 Jul 2022 (actual)
- First posted
- 12 Feb 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.
This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week halotherapy intervention on respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, aerobic capacity, and intermittent running performance in elite female soccer players. Participants were randomly assigned to either a halotherapy group or a control group. Both groups followed the same preseason soccer training program, while the halotherapy group additionally received regular halotherapy sessions. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included spirometric measurements, respiratory muscle strength, estimated VO₂max, and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 performance.
Detailed description
Aerobic capacity and respiratory efficiency are critical determinants of performance in elite soccer. Halotherapy, a non-pharmacological intervention involving inhalation of dry salt aerosol in a controlled environment, has been shown to improve pulmonary health in clinical populations; however, evidence in athletic populations remains limited.
This randomized parallel-group trial was conducted during the preseason period of the Turkish Women's First League. Twenty-eight elite female soccer players were randomly allocated to a halotherapy group or a control group. Both groups completed an identical 12-week soccer training program. In addition to training, the halotherapy group underwent 45-minute halotherapy sessions three times per week in a controlled halochamber environment.
Outcome measures included maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP, MEP), pulmonary function parameters (FVC, FEV₁, PEF, MVV), aerobic capacity estimated via the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1, and total distance covered in the Yo-Yo test. Measurements were collected before and after the intervention period. The study aimed to determine whether halotherapy provides additive benefits to standard soccer training in elite female athletes.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Halotherapy sessions were conducted in a controlled halochamber using a dry salt aerosol generator. Sessions lasted 45 minutes and were performed three times per week for 12 weeks. Aerosol concentration was maintained at approximately 20 mg/m³ with particle size <5 microns. Environmental conditions were controlled (temperature 20-24°C, humidity 40-60%).
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Halotherapy Group | Experimental | Other: Halotherapy Group, Other: ControlParticipants followed the standard preseason soccer training program and additionally received halotherapy. Halotherapy sessions were conducted in a controlled halochamber using a dry salt aerosol generator. Sessions lasted 45 minutes and were performed three times per week for 12 weeks. Aerosol concentration was maintained at approximately 20 mg/m³ with particle size <5 microns. Environmental conditions were controlled (temperature 20-24°C, humidity 40-60%). |
| CONTROL | No intervention | –Participants followed the same standard preseason soccer training program without halotherapy. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Female soccer players aged 18-30 years
- Competing in the Turkish Women's First League
- Minimum of 5 years of competitive soccer experience
- Regular training ≥10 hours per week
- Free from injury at study entry
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Presence of respiratory, cardiovascular, or metabolic disease
- Current musculoskeletal injury
- Smoking
- Pregnancy
- Use of medications affecting respiratory or cardiovascular function
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Halotherapy GroupParticipants followed the standard preseason soccer training program and additionally received halotherapy. Halotherapy sessions were conducted in a controlled halochamber using a dry salt aerosol generator. Sessions lasted 45 minutes and were performed three times per week for 12 weeks. Aerosol concentration was maintained at approximately 20 mg/m³ with particle size <5 microns. Environmental conditions were controlled (temperature 20-24°C, humidity 40-60%). | Other | Halotherapy Group |
| ControlParticipants followed the same standard preseason soccer training program without halotherapy. | Other | Halotherapy Group |
Primary outcome
Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP)
Time frame: 12 week
Expiratory muscle strength measured using a portable respiratory pressure meter.
Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP)
Time frame: 12 week
Inspiratory muscle strength measured using a portable respiratory pressure meter.
Aerobic Capacity (VO₂max estimate)
Time frame: 12 week
VO₂max estimated using the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1.
4 secondary outcomes
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
Time frame: 12 week
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV₁)
Time frame: 12 weeks
Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)
Time frame: 12 week
Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 Distance
Time frame: 12 week
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 12 Feb 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42652921Sarisik DC, Aydin AS, Soyler M, Zileli R, Ozkurt A, Yilmaz C, Kucuk H, Karatas M. Effects of Halotherapy as an Adjunct to Preseason Training on Respiratory and Aerobic Outcomes in Elite Female Football Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Life (Basel). 2026 Jul 25;16(8):1233. doi: 10.3390/life16081233.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared because the study involves a small sample of elite athletes from a single professional team, which may increase the risk of indirect participant identification. Additionally, the informed consent obtained from participants did not include explicit permission for public sharing of individual-level data. Data are therefore available only in aggregated form to protect participant confidentiality.
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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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Halotherapy Group in people with Aerobic Performance and Respiratory Function, run by Gümüşhane Universıty 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 8 inclusion and 5 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 12 Feb 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?
Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP) (time frame: 12 week). The study lists 3 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 NCT07406386, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 12 Feb 2026.