Clinical trial NCT06921564: Effects of Combined Training on Physical Performance in Young Soccer Players
Official title: Effects of Lower-body Strength Training Combined With Small-sided Games on Physical Performance in Young Soccer Players
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Young Soccer Players
Keywords: Small-sided games
strength training
combined training
physical performance
soccer
Lead sponsor: Aydin Adnan Menderes University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-04-10
Enrollment: 20
Sex: MALE
Minimum age (years): 14
Maximum age (years): 14
Standard ages: CHILD
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: This study used a randomized matched-pairs design. The players were ranked according to their Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 results and then paired on the basis of these rankings. On the basis of these data, they were then randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) CT (strength training + small-sided games) and (2) Small-sided games alone.
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: Small-sided games (SSGs) are an effective training method for improving aerobic fitness. However, their effects on physical performance attributes such as, sprinting, jumping, agility, and repeated sprint ability (RSA) remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of lower-body strength training combined with SSGs training (CT) versus SSGs training alone on sprinting, agility, RSA, countermovement jump (CMJ), and aerobic fitness in young soccer players. Twenty young soccer players were randomly assigned to one of two groups: CT (n = 10; age: 14.0 ± 0.0) and SSGs (n = 10; age: 14.0 ± 0.0). The CT group performed lower-body strength training twice a week, in addition to SSGs training twice a week. The SSGs group performed SSGs training only twice a week, without any strength training. Before and after the 6-week training intervention, the 20-m sprint test, Illinois agility test (IAT), RSA, CMJ, and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 were conducted.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* have no injuries, illnesses, or physical limitations that would prevent participation in the study
* have been training and playing official soccer for a minimum of 2 years
* have participated in all testing protocols
* have participated in a minimum of 80% of the training sessions
* have not participated in any structured strength training program for the last six months, except for bodyweight exercises; and
* have not been a goalkeeper

Primary outcomes:
measure: Height
timeFrame: After 6 weeks of training intervention
measure: Body weights
timeFrame: After 6 weeks of training intervention
measure: Body mass index
timeFrame: After 6 weeks of training intervention
measure: 20-m sprint
timeFrame: After 6 weeks of training intervention
measure: Agility
timeFrame: After 6 weeks of training intervention
measure: Repeated sprint ability (RSA)
timeFrame: After 6 weeks of training intervention
measure: Vertical jump
timeFrame: After 6 weeks of training intervention
measure: Aerobic fitness
timeFrame: After 6 weeks of training intervention
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Aydın
country: Turkey
facility: Aydın Adnan Menderes University
Study officials:
References:
citation: Querido SM, Clemente FM. Analyzing the effects of combined small-sided games and strength and power training on the fitness status of under-19 elite football players. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2020 Jan;60(1):1-10. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.19.09818-9.
citation: Arslan E, Soylu Y, Clemente FM, Hazir T, Kin Isler A, Kilit B. Short-term effects of on-field combined core strength and small-sided games training on physical performance in young soccer players. Biol Sport. 2021 Oct;38(4):609-616. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2021.102865. Epub 2021 Feb 11.