SPORT-SPECIFIC HIIT IN ELITE KICKBOXERS

NCT07449663 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: ADIYAMAN-HIIT-RCT-2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study examines how sport-specific high-intensity interval training (HIIT) affects the body in elite kickboxers. Participants are randomly assigned to either a HIIT training group or a control group. The HIIT group performs supervised sport-specific training for eight weeks, while the control group continues their usual training. Blood samples are collected before and after the training period. The main goal of this study is to determine whether HIIT changes levels of exercise-related proteins such as apelin and irisin. These proteins may reflect how the body adapts to intense training. The findings may help researchers and coaches better understand the effects of high-intensity training and may support the development of safer and more effective training programs for athletes.

Conditions

Exercise Training Adaptation; Exercise Physiology; High-Intensity Interval Training

Keywords

high-intensity interval training; apelin; irisin; kickboxing; myokines; biomarkers

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Serum Apelin Concentration

  Serum apelin concentration measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

  Baseline and Week 8

Study Arms (2)

Sport-Specific HIIT

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants perform supervised sport-specific high-intensity interval training five days per week for eight weeks at an intensity of approximately 85-95 percent of maximum heart rate.

Behavioral: Sport-Specific High-Intensity Interval Training

Regular Training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants continue their regular kickboxing training without participation in the structured HIIT program.

Behavioral: Regular Training

Interventions

Sport-Specific High-Intensity Interval Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants perform supervised sport-specific high-intensity interval training five days per week for eight weeks. Training intensity is maintained at approximately 85-95 percent of maximum heart rate. The program consists of repeated high-intensity exercise intervals interspersed with active recovery periods and is designed to reflect the physiological demands of competitive kickboxing.

Sport-Specific HIIT

Regular Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants continue their usual kickboxing training routines without participation in the structured HIIT program.

Regular Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male elite kickboxers aged 18 to 30 years
• At least five years of regular kickboxing training experience
• Active participation in kickboxing training
• Ability to complete the training program

You may not qualify if:

• Serious injury within the previous six months
• Presence of chronic or cardiometabolic disease
• Regular use of medications or ergogenic supplements
• Tobacco or alcohol use
• Inability to complete the training program

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Adiyaman University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Adiyaman University Faculty of Sport Sciences

Adıyaman, 02040, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: Participants are randomly assigned to either a sport-specific HIIT group or a control group continuing regular training.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 27, 2026
• First Posted: March 4, 2026
• Study Start: January 15, 2026
• Primary Completion: March 15, 2026
• Study Completion: March 15, 2026
• Last Updated: March 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)