Post-Exercise RecoveryNCT07908290
Shower Gel and Participant-Reported Post-Exercise Soreness in Regular Exercisers
A study testing Topical shower gel and Comparator in people with Post-Exercise Recovery and Muscle Soreness, run by The Humanix at 1 site in Ireland.
Trial summary
The objective of this study is to evaluate any potential claims for a topical shower gel product about perceived recovery and other aspects of user experience and consumer satisfaction following HYROX exercise training. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Post-Exercise Recovery, Muscle Soreness
- What is being tested?
- Topical shower gel and Comparator
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 100 participants
- Where
- 1 siteIreland
- Study dates
- Nov 2026to Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 65 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adults aged 18-65 years.
- Regular exercisers capable of safely completing the relevant exercise session.
- Able to understand the participant information and provide informed consent.
- Able and willing to follow product-use instructions and complete the 24h, 48h and 72h follow-up forms.
- Must be fluent in written and spoken English
Who cannot join
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy during the study period.
- Known relevant allergy or sensitivity to topical shower/bath/skincare products or study ingredients disclosed for safety screening.
- Broken, inflamed or irritated skin in intended application areas.
- Current injury, illness or condition making the exercise session unsafe or likely to materially confound perceived soreness/recovery outcomes.
- Recent strenuous exercise, analgesic/NSAID use, or recovery interventions where the protocol-defined exclusion/restriction criteria are met.
- Any other condition which, in the PI's judgement, makes participation inappropriate or unsafe.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Ireland1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Oak Gym, Dundalk
Dublin
Tom Aird, +353831894018, tomaird@hotmail.com
About this study
Official title: A Randomised, Comparator-Controlled Study of Participant-Reported Post-Exercise Muscle Soreness, Perceived Recovery and Product Experience Following Use of a Rinse-Off Shower Gel in Healthy Adults Who Exercise Regularly
The objective of this study is to evaluate any potential claims for a topical shower gel product about perceived recovery and other aspects of user experience and consumer satisfaction following HYROX exercise training.
Read the detailed description
Healthy, recreationally active male and female adults aged 18-65 years will be recruited for this study (target enrolment: 100 participants; operational minimum: 70 participants). Participants will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio, stratified by sex, to either the test intervention group or the active comparator group.
Participants will complete baseline screening and pre-exercise assessments via secure digital forms. Following a standardized exercise session, participants will record their immediate post-exercise soreness on a 0-10 Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) before any study product is applied.
The assigned coded product is then issued in ambiguous, non-descriptive packaging to ensure participant blinding. The product will be used on three separate occasions: the first post-session shower (within 24 hours post-exercise), and on each of the two subsequent days (a total of three applications over the 72-hour post-exercise period).
Participants will complete remote follow-up surveys at 24 hours, 48 hours (capturing the primary 0-10 muscle soreness endpoint before the third product application), and 72 hours post-exercise. These surveys assess perceived muscle soreness, perceived recovery, tolerability, adherence, application experience, user satisfaction, consumer perception, and a 72-hour blinding check.
- Conditions
- Post-Exercise Recovery, Muscle Soreness
- Being tested
- Topical shower gel, Comparator
- Keywords
- Topical shower gel, post-exercise recovery, Delayed onset muscle soreness
- Medical subject headings
- Myalgia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Topical shower gelOther
Topical shower gel containing a proprietary blend of active ingredients applied to the affected muscle groups experiencing soreness after a HYROX exercise session
ComparatorOther
Generic, widely available shower gel with no active ingredients applied to the affected muscle groups after a HYROX exercise session
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Topical shower gel (active product) | Experimental | Topical shower gel containing a proprietary blend of active ingredients applied to the affected muscle groups experiencing soreness Receives: Other: Topical shower gel |
| Comparator group (inactive shower gel) | Sham comparator | Generic, widely available shower gel with no active ingredients applied to the affected muscle groups experiencing soreness Receives: Other: Comparator |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for muscle soreness
Adjusted between-group mean difference in 0-10 perceived muscle soreness Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at 48 hours post-exercise (measured after the second product application / before the third application). Evaluated via ANCOVA model adjusting for immediate post-exercise/pre-application soreness, sex, and age. Scale ranges from 0 (no soreness at all) to 10 (worst possible soreness), where lower scores represent a better outcome.
Measured: Baseline (pre-exercise), immediate post-exercise, 24 hours, 48 hours (primary endpoint), and 72 hours post-exercise.
Secondary outcomes (5)
User Application and Sensory Experience
Participant ratings of product dispensing ease, rinsing ease, texture, and skin feel. Evaluated on Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) 0-10 scales (0 = very difficult, 10 = very easy) and categorical checklists, where higher scores represent more favorable product experience.
Measured: 24 hours post-exercise.
User Satisfaction and Enjoyment Descriptors (CATA Format)
Check-All-That-Apply (CATA) word frequency analysis evaluating emotional and sensory descriptors between independent treatment and comparator groups using Pearson's Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. Analyzed as selection proportions (0 to 1) and risk differences, where higher selection frequency for positive attributes indicates a better outcome.
Measured: 24 hours post-exercise.
Consumer Perception and Commercial Intent Scale
Participant ratings of overall satisfaction, likelihood of regular post-workout use, recommendation intent, and purchase intent. Evaluated on 0-10 NRS scales (0 = not at all, 10 = extremely), where higher scores represent higher satisfaction and commercial intent.
Measured: 24 and 72 hours post-exercise.
Perceived Post-Exercise Recovery Rating
Single-item perceived recovery rating evaluated on a 0-10 NRS scale (0 = very poorly recovered/extremely tired, 10 = very well recovered/highly energetic), where higher scores represent superior perceived recovery.
Measured: 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours post-exercise.
Hooper Index Score for Recovery and Readiness
Multi-item questionnaire tracking perceived fatigue, sleep quality, muscle soreness, and stress on 0-10 NRS scales. Fatigue, soreness, and stress are scored from 0 (best) to 10 (worst), while sleep quality is scored from 0 (very poor) to 10 (excellent).
Measured: Baseline (pre-exercise), 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours post-exercise.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Nov 2026
- Study startNov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionDec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionDec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Post-Exercise RecoveryStudies 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
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- The Humanix
- Sponsor type
- Industry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Tom Aird, The Humanix
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07908290
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HX-REC-001
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 20 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 2 Nov 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: This is a commercial feasibility study; IPD will not be shared.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 2 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- A Randomised, Comparator-Controlled Study of Participant-Reported Post-Exercise Muscle Soreness, Perceived Recovery and Product Experience Following Use of a Rinse-Off Shower Gel in Healthy Adults Who Exercise Regularly
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07908290
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HX-REC-001
- Conditions
- Post-Exercise Recovery, Muscle Soreness
- Keywords
- Topical shower gel, post-exercise recovery, Delayed onset muscle soreness
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- The HumanixIndustry (pharma, biotech, devices)
- Study start
- Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 2 Nov 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.
The objective of this study is to evaluate any potential claims for a topical shower gel product about perceived recovery and other aspects of user experience and consumer satisfaction following HYROX exercise training.
Detailed description
Healthy, recreationally active male and female adults aged 18-65 years will be recruited for this study (target enrolment: 100 participants; operational minimum: 70 participants). Participants will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio, stratified by sex, to either the test intervention group or the active comparator group.
Participants will complete baseline screening and pre-exercise assessments via secure digital forms. Following a standardized exercise session, participants will record their immediate post-exercise soreness on a 0-10 Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) before any study product is applied.
The assigned coded product is then issued in ambiguous, non-descriptive packaging to ensure participant blinding. The product will be used on three separate occasions: the first post-session shower (within 24 hours post-exercise), and on each of the two subsequent days (a total of three applications over the 72-hour post-exercise period).
Participants will complete remote follow-up surveys at 24 hours, 48 hours (capturing the primary 0-10 muscle soreness endpoint before the third product application), and 72 hours post-exercise. These surveys assess perceived muscle soreness, perceived recovery, tolerability, adherence, application experience, user satisfaction, consumer perception, and a 72-hour blinding check.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Topical shower gel (active product) | Experimental | Other: Topical shower gelTopical shower gel containing a proprietary blend of active ingredients applied to the affected muscle groups experiencing soreness |
| Comparator group (inactive shower gel) | Sham comparator | Other: ComparatorGeneric, widely available shower gel with no active ingredients applied to the affected muscle groups experiencing soreness |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Adults aged 18-65 years.
- Regular exercisers capable of safely completing the relevant exercise session.
- Able to understand the participant information and provide informed consent.
- Able and willing to follow product-use instructions and complete the 24h, 48h and 72h follow-up forms.
- Must be fluent in written and spoken English
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy during the study period.
- Known relevant allergy or sensitivity to topical shower/bath/skincare products or study ingredients disclosed for safety screening.
- Broken, inflamed or irritated skin in intended application areas.
- Current injury, illness or condition making the exercise session unsafe or likely to materially confound perceived soreness/recovery outcomes.
- Recent strenuous exercise, analgesic/NSAID use, or recovery interventions where the protocol-defined exclusion/restriction criteria are met.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Topical shower gelTopical shower gel containing a proprietary blend of active ingredients applied to the affected muscle groups experiencing soreness after a HYROX exercise session | Other | Topical shower gel (active product) |
| ComparatorGeneric, widely available shower gel with no active ingredients applied to the affected muscle groups after a HYROX exercise session | Other | Comparator group (inactive shower gel) |
Primary outcome
Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for muscle soreness
Time frame: Baseline (pre-exercise), immediate post-exercise, 24 hours, 48 hours (primary endpoint), and 72 hours post-exercise.
Adjusted between-group mean difference in 0-10 perceived muscle soreness Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at 48 hours post-exercise (measured after the second product application / before the third application). Evaluated via ANCOVA model adjusting for immediate post-exercise/pre-application soreness, sex, and age. Scale ranges from 0 (no soreness at all) to 10 (worst possible soreness), where lower scores represent a better outcome.
5 secondary outcomes
User Application and Sensory Experience
Time frame: 24 hours post-exercise.
User Satisfaction and Enjoyment Descriptors (CATA Format)
Time frame: 24 hours post-exercise.
Consumer Perception and Commercial Intent Scale
Time frame: 24 and 72 hours post-exercise.
Perceived Post-Exercise Recovery Rating
Time frame: 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours post-exercise.
Hooper Index Score for Recovery and Readiness
Time frame: Baseline (pre-exercise), 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours post-exercise.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 2 Nov 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. This is a commercial feasibility study; IPD will not be shared.
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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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Topical shower gel and Comparator in people with Post-Exercise Recovery and Muscle Soreness, run by The Humanix at 1 site in Ireland.
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 5 inclusion and 6 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Nov 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 Ireland. 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. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Tom Aird, PhD (+353831894018, tomaird@hotmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for muscle soreness (time frame: Baseline (pre-exercise), immediate post-exercise, 24 hours, 48 hours (primary endpoint), and 72 hours post-exercise.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 2 Nov 2026.