Aerobic Capacity, Anaerobic Power, Physical Activity Enjoyment, Soccer Training
Conditions
Keywords
Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1, youth team, football, exercise performance
Brief summary
This study aims to investigate the differential effects of three training protocols: traditional Yo-Yo intermittent training, ball-dribbled Yo-Yo intermittent training, and small-sided games (SSGs) on aerobic capacity, anaerobic and exercise enjoyment in adolescent soccer players.
Interventions
OTHERYo-Yo running training
Yo-Yo running training is a form of running-based high-intensity interval training characterized by repeated bouts of shuttle running with intermittent recovery periods. The training involves forward and backward running over a fixed distance at progressively increasing speeds, following standardized Yo-Yo test protocols.
OTHERBall-dribbled Yo-Yo training
Ball-dribbled Yo-Yo training is a modified form of Yo-Yo-based running training that integrates ball dribbling into an intermittent shuttle running format. This intervention combines repeated high-intensity running bouts with soccer-specific technical demands, requiring participants to control and dribble a ball while performing forward and backward shuttle runs at prescribed speeds.
OTHERSmall-sided games
Small-sided games (SSG) are a game-based soccer training intervention characterized by modified match play involving a reduced number of players on a smaller pitch. This intervention requires participants to engage in intermittent, high-intensity activities while performing soccer-specific technical and tactical actions under game-like conditions.
Sponsors
University of Macau
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
13 Years to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* (1) Aged between 13 and 18 years. (2) At least 1 year of formal soccer training experience. (3) Free from major sports-related injury in the past year. (4) In good general health with no smoking or alcohol consumption habits. (5) No known psychological or psychiatric disorders that may affect participation. (6) No participation in similar training interventions within the past 12 months. (7) Able to attend scheduled training sessions.
Exclusion criteria
* (1)Outside the age range of 13-18 years. (2) Less than 1 year of formal soccer training experience. (3) History of major sports-related injury limiting training participation. (4) Presence of chronic disease or unhealthy habits (e.g., smoking or alcohol use). (5) Known psychological or psychiatric disorders affecting study compliance. (6) Participation in similar training interventions within the previous 12 months. (7) Attendance of fewer than 75% of the 12 planned training sessions.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery 1 test distance | Baseline and end of intervention at 4 weeks | Participants performed repeated 20-m shuttle runs between two lines at progressively increasing speeds dictated by standardized audio signals, interspersed with 10-s active recovery periods. The initial running speed was set at 10 km·h-¹ and increased stepwise according to the YYIR1 protocol. Participants were required to reach the 20-m line in time with the audio cue. A first failure to meet the line in time resulted in a warning, and the test was terminated after a second failure. The total distance covered before test termination was recorded as the YYIR1 score. YYIR1 distance is expressed in meters, with higher values indicating greater intermittent aerobic capacity and a superior ability to perform and recover from repeated high-intensity running efforts. |
| Anaerobic power | baseline and end of intervention at 4 weeks | Anaerobic power was assessed using the Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) performed on a cycle ergometer. After a standardized warm-up, participants completed a 30-s all-out sprint against a resistance equivalent to 7.5% of their body mass. Participants were instructed to pedal as fast as possible throughout the entire test, and strong verbal encouragement was provided. Power output was recorded continuously. Peak power output (PPO) was defined as the highest mechanical power achieved over any 5-s interval, and mean power output (MPO) was calculated as the average power across the full 30-s test duration. Anaerobic power outcomes are expressed in watts (W), with higher PPO and MPO values indicating greater maximal and sustained anaerobic power capacity. |
| Physical activity enjoyment | every Saturday acute after training during 4-week intervention | Overall session enjoyment was assessed using the PACES-8. Participants rated how they felt about the activity on eight items using a 7-point Likert scale from 1 (unpleasurable) to 7 (pleasurable).Total scores ranged from 8 to 56, with higher scores indicating greater physical activity enjoyment. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Repeated Sprint Ability | baseline and end of intervention at 4 weeks | Repeated sprint ability (RSA) was assessed using a 6 × 40 m shuttle sprint test (20 m + 20 m with a 180° change of direction), with 20 s of passive recovery between sprints. Sprint times were recorded using infrared timing gates positioned at the start and finish lines. The primary RSA outcomes included best sprint time (RSA\_best), mean sprint time (RSA\_mean), and performance decrement (RSA\_dec). RSA\_best represents the fastest single sprint time and reflects maximal sprint capacity. RSA\_mean is the average time across all six sprints and reflects repeated-sprint performance. |
| 10/30m sprint performance | baseline and end of intervention at 4 weeks | Sprint performance was assessed using 10 m and 30 m linear sprint tests to evaluate acceleration and maximal running speed, respectively. Participants performed three maximal-effort trials over each distance on synthetic turf. Sprint times were recorded using infrared timing gates positioned at 0 m, 10 m, and 30 m. The primary outcomes were best sprint time and mean sprint time for both distances. The 10 m sprint reflects initial acceleration capacity, whereas the 30 m sprint reflects near-maximal sprint speed. Lower sprint times indicate better sprint performance. |
Countries
Macau
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORZhaowei Kong, PHD
University of Macau
Outcome results
None listed