Athletic Performance
Conditions
Keywords
Blood Flow Restriction, Small-Sided Games, Soccer, Fatigue, Technical Stability
Brief summary
This study aims to investigate whether applying blood flow restriction (BFR) during small-sided soccer games (SSG) can help soccer players maintain their passing and dribbling stability when they are fatigued. The study includes 40 young male soccer players. Participants will be randomly divided into two groups: One group will wear pressurized BFR cuffs on their legs (80% of limb occlusion pressure) during a 4v4 training game. The other group will act as a control, wearing the same cuffs but without any pressure (0% pressure) during the exact same training game.Both groups will complete a 6-week training program, practicing 3 times a week. Before and after the 6-week period, researchers will test the players' physical and technical skills (such as jumping, passing, and dribbling). Importantly, these tests will be conducted both before and immediately after a tiring 45-minute exercise routine to see which training method is more effective at preventing performance drops caused by fatigue.
Detailed description
This study utilizes a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group design. A total of 40 young male soccer players with systematic training backgrounds will be recruited. Following baseline testing, participants will be randomly assigned to either the BFR-SSG group or the SSG control group.The intervention spans 6 weeks, featuring three standardized 90-minute training sessions per week. The core intervention consists of a 4v4 small-sided game module (4 sets of 4 minutes). During this module, the BFR-SSG group will wear pneumatic cuffs inflated to 80% of their individual Limb Occlusion Pressure (LOP), while the control group will wear uninflated cuffs (0% LOP).Pre- and post-intervention assessments will systematically evaluate physiological adaptations (blood lactate, creatine kinase) , neuromuscular function (Countermovement Jump) , and sport-specific technical stability (Loughborough Soccer Passing Test and a 20m change-of-direction dribbling test). To specifically assess performance under metabolic stress, the technical and neuromuscular tests will be conducted at baseline and immediately following a standardized 45-minute fatigue-inducing protocol (Modified LIST). The primary goal is to quantify the attenuation rate of passing and dribbling performance under fatigue and determine if BFR combined with SSG provides superior chronic adaptations compared to SSG alone
Interventions
BEHAVIORALBlood Flow Restriction + Small-Sided Games (BFR-SSG)
The intervention lasts for 6 weeks, with 3 standardized 90-minute soccer training sessions per week. During the core 20-minute intervention module, participants play 4v4 small-sided games (4 sets of 4 minutes, with 2 minutes of rest between sets). Cuffs are inflated to 80% LOP during the exercise phase and fully deflated during the rest intervals.
BEHAVIORALSmall-Sided Games (SSG) Control
Participants complete the identical 6-week standardized soccer training program (3 sessions per week) and the 4v4 small-sided games module. However, the cuffs worn by the participants remain at 0% LOP (uninflated) throughout the entire duration of the small-sided games.
Sponsors
Beijing Sport University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Randomization and group allocation were performed by an independent researcher not involved in data collection or analysis. Group assignments were hidden using coding to ensure that the investigators and outcome assessors remained completely blinded to the intervention conditions throughout the entire study process.
Intervention model description
Participants are randomly assigned in a parallel manner to either the BFR-SSG experimental group or the SSG control group. Both groups undergo the identical 6-week soccer training protocol simultaneously, differing only in the blood flow restriction cuff pressure (80% LOP vs. 0% LOP) applied during the core small-sided games intervention phase.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Young male soccer players. Possess a systematic soccer specific training background and maintain a stable competitive state. Cleared by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q), confirming that cardiovascular and metabolic systems can tolerate high-intensity physical testing and blood flow restriction interventions.
Exclusion criteria
* Any recent history of neuromuscular or musculoskeletal system injuries. Current smoking habit. Consumption of any sports nutrition supplements or drinks that could significantly affect muscle performance or neural excitability (e.g., creatine, caffeine, beta-alanine) within 3 months prior to the start of the study and throughout the experimental period.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT) Performance | Baseline (Week 0) and immediately post-intervention (Week 6). At both time points, the test is performed pre-fatigue and immediately post-fatigue. | The LSPT assesses passing skill and stability. The score is the total time (in seconds) required to complete 16 passes, plus penalty time added for passing errors. To evaluate passing stability under fatigue, the performance attenuation rate is calculated by comparing scores obtained before and immediately after a standardized 45-minute fatigue-inducing protocol (Modified LIST). |
| 20m Change-of-Direction Dribbling Test Technical Deficit | Baseline (Week 0) and immediately post-intervention (Week 6). At both time points, measured pre-fatigue and immediately post-fatigue. | This test evaluates high-speed dribbling stability over a 20m slalom course. The primary metric is the "technical deficit," calculated by subtracting the time taken to complete the course without the ball (sprint) from the time taken with the ball (dribbling). This isolates technical stability from pure physical fatigue. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Height | Baseline (Week 0) and immediately post-intervention (Week 6). Measured pre-fatigue and immediately post-fatigue at both time points. | Maximum vertical jump height (in centimeters) measured using a 3D force plate. It evaluates the attenuation of lower limb neuromuscular function and explosive power under metabolic stress. |
| Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YYIRT-1) Distance | Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 6). Tests are conducted on a separate day, at least 48 hours apart from the main testing day, to avoid residual fatigu | Total running distance (in meters) completed before exhaustion to assess chronic adaptations in soccer-specific intermittent endurance. |
| Creatine Kinase (CK) Concentration | Fasting baseline (Week 0), 24 hours after the first intervention session (Week 1), and 24 hours after the final intervention session (Week 6). | Absolute creatine kinase concentration (U/L) measured from fingertip capillary blood to evaluate skeletal muscle micro-damage and chronic adaptation |
Countries
China
Outcome results
None listed