Agility and Sprint Performance in Youth Soccer: A Comparison of FIFA 11+ and RAMP Protocols

Riphah International University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Children, Adult

Treatments: Other: FIFA 11+ Warm-Up Program; Other: RAMP Warm-Up Program

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07244107

REC/RCR&AHS/ADILMUNIR

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized clinical trial investigates the comparative effects of the FIFA 11+ and RAMP (Raise, Activate, Mobilize, Potentiate) warm-up protocols on the agility and sprint performance of young soccer players. The study involves 34 male players aged 8 to 15, who will be randomly assigned to one of the two warm-up groups for a six-week intervention period. Key performance outcomes-agility, measured by the Illinois Agility Test, and sprint speed, measured by a 30-meter sprint test-will be assessed both before and after the intervention. The research aims to address a gap in sports science by directly comparing these two popular protocols in a youth population, with the goal of providing coaches with clear, evidence-based recommendations for optimizing athlete development and reducing injury risk. Data will be analyzed through SPSS version 27.00.

Full description

This randomized clinical trial provides a detailed comparison of the FIFA 11+ and RAMP (Raise, Activate, Mobilize, Potentiate) warm-up protocols to determine their respective impacts on agility and sprint performance in young male soccer players. The study is grounded in the understanding that soccer requires exceptional speed and agility, and that well-structured warm-ups are critical for enhancing performance and preventing injuries, especially during the crucial developmental years of youth athletes. While both FIFA 11+ (a program focused on neuromuscular control and injury prevention) and RAMP (a systematic, four-phase preparation protocol) are widely used, there is a notable lack of research directly comparing their acute effectiveness in a youth soccer context. This study seeks to fill that gap by providing empirical evidence to guide coaches and practitioners in selecting the most effective warm-up strategy.

The study will recruit 34 male soccer players between the ages of 8 and 15, who will be randomly assigned to either the FIFA 11+ or the RAMP intervention group for a six-week period. Performance will be measured using standardized, valid, and reliable tests: the Illinois Agility Test (IAT) to assess agility and a 30-meter sprint test to measure speed. These assessments will be conducted at baseline before the intervention begins and again immediately following the six-week training period. The collected data will be analyzed to compare within-group improvements and between-group differences, with statistical adjustments for baseline values to ensure a robust comparison. The findings are expected to offer practical, evidence-based recommendations for optimizing warm-up routines to specifically enhance agility and sprint capabilities in young soccer players, thereby supporting superior athletic development. Data will be analyzed through SPSS version 27.00.

Enrollment: 34 estimated patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 8 to 15 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Male, aged 8-15 years.
• Minimum one year of organized soccer experience.
• Currently training at least three times per week.
• Willingness to participate and provide informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Cardiovascular, neurological, or musculoskeletal disorders.
• Musculoskeletal injury in the past six months.
• Participation in other structured injury prevention or strength programs.
• Inability to complete baseline testing.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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34 participants in 2 patient groups

FIFA 11+ Protocol Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this group will perform the FIFA 11+ warm-up protocol at the beginning of each training session for six weeks. This comprehensive, 20-minute program consists of 15 exercises, 3 days a week. Participants with receive total 18 sessions.

Treatment:

Other: FIFA 11+ Warm-Up Program

RAMP Protocol Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants in this group will perform the RAMP warm-up protocol at the beginning of each training session for six weeks. This protocol is a systematic, four-phase approach designed to progressively prepare athletes for high-intensity activity, 20 minutes session, 3 days a week. Participants with receive total 18 sessions.

Treatment:

Other: RAMP Warm-Up Program