Effects of different pre-race warm-up routines on anxiety, thinking performance, and skiing performance in alpine skiers
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN98198979 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN98198979 |
| Sponsor | Harbin Sport University |
| Funder | Harbin Sport University |
- Submission date
- 06/06/2026
- Registration date
- 10/06/2026
- Last edited
- 08/06/2026
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Other
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Alpine skiing requires athletes to be physically ready, emotionally stable, and able to make quick decisions before a race. Pre-race sport-specific activation, commonly known as a warm-up or activation routine, may influence anxiety, attention, decision-making, and skiing performance. However, it is not clear whether different activation doses have different effects in alpine skiers. This study aimed to compare the acute effects of three pre-race sport-specific activation routines on competitive state anxiety, executive function, and skiing performance in alpine skiers.
Who can participate?
Alpine skiers aged 18–35 years with sport-specific training experience who were able to complete normal training and testing procedures and provided written informed consent.
What does the study involve?
Each participant completed three activation routines on separate test days in a randomized crossover order: a 5-minute low-intensity routine, a 10-minute moderate-intensity routine, and a 15-minute moderate-to-high-intensity routine. There was an interval of approximately 48–72 hours between testing sessions. Before and after each activation routine, participants completed questionnaires assessing competitive anxiety and self-confidence and cognitive tasks assessing executive function. Skiing performance was also recorded during a standardized skiing test.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
Participants may better understand their psychological and cognitive readiness under different pre-race activation conditions. The study was a low-risk, non-drug sport intervention. Possible risks included temporary fatigue, increased heart rate, muscle soreness, attention fatigue, and minor sport-related risks such as imbalance or falls during skiing tests. Participants were monitored by researchers and coaches during testing, and they could withdraw at any time.
Where is the study run from?
Harbin Sport University, China, and associated alpine skiing training/testing settings.
When did the study start and end?
January 2026 to April 2026.
Who is funding the study?
Harbin Sport University, China.
Who is the main contact?
Jianxin Kang, Harbin Sport University, kangjianxin@hrbipe.edu.cn
Contact information
Scientific, Principal investigator
School of Winter Olympic Sports, Harbin Sport University
Harbin
150008
China
| Phone | +86 13609829292 |
|---|---|
| 13609829292@163.com |
Principal investigator, Public
School of Winter Olympic Sports, Harbin Sport University
Harbin
150008
China
| Phone | +86 13609829292 |
|---|---|
| kangjianxin@hrbipe.edu.cn |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Allocation | Randomized controlled trial |
| Masking | Open (masking not used) |
| Control | Dose comparison |
| Assignment | Crossover |
| Purpose | Basic science, Sports performance and psychological-cognitive readiness |
| Participant information sheet | 49665 Participant Information Sheet and Informed Consent Form.pdf |
| Scientific title | Acute effects of different doses of pre-race sport-specific activation on competitive state anxiety, executive function, and skiing performance in alpine skiers: a randomized crossover trial |
| Study acronym | PSSA-AS |
| Study objectives | This study aimed to compare the acute effects of three doses of pre-race sport-specific activation on competitive state anxiety, executive function, and skiing performance in alpine skiers. Specifically, the study compared a 5-minute low-intensity activation routine, a 10-minute moderate-intensity activation routine, and a 15-minute moderate-to-high-intensity activation routine in a randomized crossover design. The purpose was to identify whether different activation doses produce different short-term effects on athletes’ psychological readiness, cognitive control, and skiing performance before simulated competition. |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 10/01/2026, Academic Ethics Committee of Harbin Sport University (No. 1 Dacheng Street, Nangang District, Harbin, 150008, China; +86 451 82721320; hpeij@163.com), ref: 2026045 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Sports-related competitive state anxiety, executive function, and skiing performance readiness in alpine skiers |
| Intervention | Each participant completed three pre-race sport-specific activation conditions on separate test days in a randomized crossover order. The three conditions were: 1. ACT5_LOW: a 5-minute low-intensity sport-specific activation routine. 2. ACT10_MOD: a 10-minute moderate-intensity sport-specific activation routine. 3. ACT15_MODHIGH: a 15-minute moderate-to-high-intensity sport-specific activation routine. Participants completed all three intervention conditions in a randomized crossover design. Before data collection, the order of the three activation conditions was assigned using a computer-generated randomization list based on the six possible crossover sequences. Each participant was assigned to one of these sequences before the first testing session. Each condition was completed on a separate testing day, with an interval of approximately 48-72 hours between conditions to reduce carryover effects. Because the intervention conditions differed in duration and intensity, masking of participants and field staff was not possible. The activation routines were land-based and included dynamic mobility exercises, lower-limb and core activation, and movement-preparation exercises similar to the movement characteristics of alpine skiing. Each participant completed all three conditions, with a washout interval of approximately 48–72 hours between conditions to reduce carryover effects. During each testing session, sleep duration, sleep quality, caffeine intake, subjective fatigue, and environmental information were recorded. Participants completed pre-race psychological measurements, the assigned activation routine, post-activation psychological measurements, executive-function tests including Stroop and Flanker tasks, and a standardized skiing test. Relative heart rate and rating of perceived exertion were recorded as manipulation-check indicators. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
|
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) | |
| Completion date | 30/04/2026 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Upper age limit | 35 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 53 |
| Total final enrolment | 53 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Alpine skiers with sport-specific training experience 2. Aged 18–35 years 3. Able to participate in normal training and testing during the study period 4. Willing to participate and able to provide written informed consent |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Acute injury or medical condition affecting participation in testing 2. Cardiovascular, neurological, psychiatric, or psychological disorders 3. Use of medications likely to affect mood, cognition, or motor response 4. Inability to complete all testing procedures |
| Date of first enrolment | 17/01/2026 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/04/2026 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- China
Study participating centres
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | 08/06/2026 | No | Yes | ||
| Protocol file | 08/06/2026 | No | No |
Additional files
- 49665 Study Protocol.pdf
- Protocol file
- 49665 Participant Information Sheet and Informed Consent Form.pdf
- Participant information sheet
Editorial Notes
08/06/2026: Trial's existence confirmed by Academic Ethics Committee of Harbin Sport University.
