The Effect of a Training Programme in the Variation of Fitness Parameters, Physiological, Hematological and Biochemical Indicators of Soccer Players During the Preseason Period

Emmanouil D. Zacharakis

Status

Invitation-only

Conditions

Pre-season Training

Physical Fitness

Inflammation

Soccer

Exercise-induced Inflammation

Exercise Physiology

Exercise Test

Muscle Damage

Athletic Performance

Treatments

Other: Friendly Match-Play Exposure: extended vs. limited

Study type

Observational

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT07170930

ERC-002/2023

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this study is to investigate the effects of varying friendly match-play exposure during the late pre-season on physiological, biochemical, and performance adaptations in soccer players. It is hypothesized that (i) significant changes will occur across the pre-season in both the extended- and limited-play groups when analysed independently; (ii) distinct group-specific adaptations will emerge by the end of the preparatory period; and (iii) match-play exposure, when analysed across all participants, will be significantly correlated with physiological and performance outcomes at pre-season completion. Players from a randomly selected team will be assessed at three time points: pre-season start, mid-pre-season (MPS), and pre-competition phase (PC). Assessments will include anthropometry, physical performance, and markers of muscle damage, inflammation, hormonal status, and haematology. Based on the total match-play time of 8 friendly games during the late pre-season, players will be retrospectively categorised into extended-play (EP) and limited-play (LP) cohorts.time of 8 friendly games during the late pre-season, players will be retrospectively categorised into extended-play (EP) and limited-play (LP) cohorts.

Enrollment

24 estimated patients

Sex

Male

Ages

18 to 35 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Male participants
Aged 18 years or older
Non-smokers
Injury-free for the past 6 months
Medication-free for the past 6 months
Abstinent from alcohol
Living at an altitude below 1500 meters
Committed exclusively to soccer (no participation in other sports)

Exclusion criteria

History of serious injuries (e.g., fractures, ligament tears) within the past 6 months
Chronic medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or respiratory disorders
Current use of performance-enhancing drugs or supplements
Participation in non-soccer-related sports or activities during the study period