Effects of Combined Training on Physical Performance in Young Soccer Players

Aydin Adnan Menderes University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Young Soccer Players

Treatments: Other: Combined training; Other: Small-sided games alone

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06921564

AdnanMU-FSS-MTI-577954-280325-

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Enrollment: 20 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 14 to 14 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion 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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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20 participants in 2 patient groups

Combined Training

Experimental group

Description:

During the 6-week intervention period, the combined training group performed 2 sessions per week of lower-body strength training and 2 sessions per week of small-sided games training in different formats. The combined training group also participated in their team's regular soccer training, which focused on technical and tactical skills, with 5 sessions per week (60-90 minutes each).

Treatment:

Other: Combined training

Small-sided games alone

Experimental group

Description:

The small-sided games group performed 2 sessions per week of small-sided games training program in different formats, without participating in any strength training. The combined training group also participated in their team's regular soccer training, which focused on technical and tactical skills, with 5 sessions per week (60-90 minutes each).

Treatment:

Other: Small-sided games alone