Mental Fatigue and Performance in Young Soccer Players

NCT06982326 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: UGaziosmanpasa-3
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 16
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The study employed a randomized, parallel-group, between-subjects design in which participants were assigned to either the MF+ or MF- condition and completed a single testing session accordingly. All test sessions were conducted on synthetic turf pitches and comprised three stages of testing, which included assessments of aerobic and anaerobic endurance, jumping, agility, and balance. During the familiarization session, players were briefed on the study procedures, practiced the main tasks, and became accustomed to the equipment and environment used during the intervention. During the MF+ session, prior to each physical testing stage, participants completed a 30-minute Color-word Stroop task (CST) to induce MF. To minimize external influence, players were not prompted or verbally encouraged during testing. Immediately, after each session, ratings of perceived exertion (RPE 6--20) were recorded using the category-level Borg scale (29), and enjoyment was assessed using the exercise enjoyment scale, a bipolar instrument consisting of eight items scored on a 1-7 Likert scale.

Conditions

Performance; Soccer; Mental Fatigue

Keywords

Neuromuscular control; Fatigue; Cognitive fatigue; Soccer performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Aerobic performance assessment

  The test consisted of shuttle runs between two landmarks placed 20 metres apart, and athletes were required to complete a short active recovery period by running or walking within 10 seconds after each shuttle run. The testing protocol typically includes a standardised warm-up followed by progressive shuttle runs until exhaustion. The distance travelled or the level reached before exhaustion is used to measure performance. The test was carried out on an artificial turf field according to the recommended procedures.

  From baseline to the end of measurement at 1 day

• Countermovement jump performance assessment

  Countermovement jump tests with arms free (CMJf) tests were used to test the performance of the players in the vertical jump test. Each player's CMJf jump height was measured via Optojump photoelectric cells (Microgate, Bolzano, Italy). To ensure proper recovery and reduce fatigue, players were given a passive rest period of 2 minutes between consecutive trials in the same jump test. In addition, there was a rest period of 5 min between the different jump tests.

  From baseline to the end of measurement at 1 day

• Agility performance assessment

  Players completed three Zig-Zag agility tests with a ball (ZZwB) on a synthetic turf field. Each set was followed by a 3-minute recovery period, and the fastest time recorded from all sets was considered to be the performance of the test. The ZZwB trail comprises four 5-meter sections designed at 100° angles. In a previous study by Mirkov et al. (34), a coefficient of variation of 21.12%, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of 0.81 and 0.84, and typical measurement errors of 0.21 and 0.098 were reported for ZZwB.

  From baseline to the end of measurement at 1 day

• Balence performance assessment

  The Y balance test was used for balance measurements. Before the test, the length of both legs of each player was measured via a standard tape measure from the anterior superior iliac spine to the most distal medial malleolus in the supine position. The test, consisting of three different directions of movement (anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral), was used to assess dynamic balance with a single-leg stance while reaching these directions. After six trials on each foot for familiarization, each player performed three successful reaches 15 s apart. After the test, the composite score (CS) was calculated via the following formula (37): CS = \[(maximum anterior reach + maximum posteromedial reach + maximum posterolateral reach)/(leg length × 3)\] × 100.

  From baseline to the end of measurement at 1 day

• Anaerobic Endurance assessment

  A three-corner run test (TCRT) was used to assess the speed and anaerobic endurance of the players. After the start signal, the players ran to a flagpole 80 m away from the start. The players then turned to the left side and ran to a flagpole, 20 m away from flagpole. After that, the players returned to flagpole 82.4 m from the start. Finally, turning to the right, the players ran to finish line and crossed the line to end the test.

  From baseline to the end of measurement at 1 day

Study Arms (2)

Mental Fatigue (MF+)

OTHER

During the MF+ session, before each physical testing phase, participants completed a 30-min Colour Word Stroop task (CST) to trigger

Other: MF+

Control (MF-)

OTHER

Control

Other: MF-

Interventions

MF- OTHER

During the control session, before each physical testing phase, participants watched emotionally neutral documentaries for 30 min.

Control (MF-)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 15 Years - 16 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Being healthy
• Male soccer players
• Willing to maintain the intervention for all sessions

You may not qualify if:

• Being under 14 years old
• Having a chronic disease
• Contraindications for exercise

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Tokat Gaziosmanpasa Universty

Tokat Province, Turkey, 6000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Arslan E, Soylu Y, Clemente FM, Hazir T, Kin Isler A, Kilit B. Short-term effects of on-field combined core strength and small-sided games training on physical performance in young soccer players. Biol Sport. 2021 Oct;38(4):609-616. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2021.102865. Epub 2021 Feb 11.

  PMID: 34937971 BACKGROUND

• Soylu Y, Ramazanoglu F, Arslan E, Clemente FM. Effects of mental fatigue on the psychophysiological responses, kinematic profiles, and technical performance in different small-sided soccer games. Biol Sport. 2022 Oct;39(4):965-972. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2022.110746. Epub 2021 Dec 30.

  PMID: 36247954 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Mental Fatigue; Fatigue

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Masking Details: Triple (Participant, Care Provider, Outcomes Assessor) Participants were strictly separated and think their intervention is the main intervention. The same was true for care providers. Outcome assessors were unaware of participant group status and were not allowed to ask correspondingly.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Prof. Dr.

Model Details: Crossover Assignment

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 13, 2025
• First Posted: May 21, 2025
• Study Start: March 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 27, 2025
• Study Completion: March 30, 2025
• Last Updated: May 21, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-05

Locations

TU (1)