Developing the Physical Performance in Youth Soccer

Motor Activity Clinical Trial

Official title:

Developing the Physical Performance in Youth Soccer: Short-term Effect of Dynamic-Ecological Versus Traditional Training Approach for Sub-élite U13 Players: An Ecological Exploratory Cluster Randomised Trial

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT06389227
• Other study ID #: 0433611
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: October 15, 2023
• Est. completion date: February 15, 2024

Study information

• Verified date: April 2024
• Source: University of Turin, Italy
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

Therefore, this study aims to verify the effects of a soccer training program based on the dynamic-ecological approach on U13 sub-elité players' physical efficiency by analysing explosive strength, speed, resistance to speed and muscle flexibility. This study hypothe-sises that the dynamic-ecological approach can consistently help players develop adequate physical efficiency and motor coordination.

Description:

Nowadays, research in youth soccer consists of methodological choices that can raise ac-tivity volumes and exercise intensity to promote proper training for youth soccer de-mands. Therefore, the present cluster randomised trial aims to evaluate the effects on physical performance parameters of the dynamic-ecological approach compared with a traditional one in a group of sub-élite U13 players. Thirty-five male children (age 12.16 ± 0.55 years; weight 45.59 ± 7.15 kg; height 145.5 ± 4.2 cm; BMI 15.8 ± 2.1 kg*m-²) were re-cruited for this trial from two teams belonging to sub-élite soccer schools and randomly assigned in a dynamic-ecological approach (DEA) or a traditional training (TTG) group. The training program lasted six weeks and consisted of 18 training sessions of 90 minutes each (3 sessions per week). The sample was evaluated by Standing Long Jump (SLJ), hop test (HT), 10 m sprint (10m), 10 x 5 m shuttle run test (SRT) and Leg Raise test (LR). The DEA group showed significantly higher results in the SLJ (p< .001), HT left leg (p<.001), 10m sprint (p<.001), and SRT (p<.001). In conclusion, the dynamic-ecological approach provides higher performance adaptations. Therefore, this approach can be considered a suitable method to optimise prepubertal player training, mainly when no fitness or strength coach is available.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 35
• Est. completion date: February 15, 2024
• Est. primary completion date: October 30, 2023
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: Male
• Age group: 12 Years to 13 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• had not suffered an injury in the previous 6 months;
• who, in the 4 weeks before the study, had systematically performed the training sessions without interruptions or absences;
• all those who, upon medical evaluation, fell within stages 3 and 4 of Tanner's classification Exclusion Criteria: -Goalkeepers and players who had been injured in the previous six months or did not meet the established minimum compliance were excluded from this study

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Motor Activity

Intervention

Other:
• dynamic ecological approach (DEA)
The DEA completed 18 ninety-minute sessions (3 per week) for six weeks oriented to soccer training using the dynamic ecological approach
• traditional training group
The TTG followed a traditional soccer training program for the same period and number of sessions without any intervention attributable to the dynamic ecological approach

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Italy	Cit Turin LDE	Turin

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Turin, Italy

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Italy, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Number of participants evaluated on physical efficiency	Direct outcome measurements pre-test vs post-test, Intervention vs treatment	From enrollment to the end of the study at six weeks