Effects of Integrative Neuromuscular Traning on Physical Fitness and Dribbling Performance Among High School Male Football Players in Shandong, China

NCT07017049 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2024065
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 70
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study investigates the effects of a 12-week Integrative Neuromuscular Training (INT) program on physical fitness, balance, and dribbling skills in male high school soccer players in Shandong, China. INT, which combines strength, agility, balance, core stability, and proprioception, has been shown internationally to enhance athletic performance and prevent injuries among youth athletes. While widely applied in sports like basketball, volleyball, and swimming abroad, research on INT in Chinese male soccer players remains limited. A total of 60 male soccer players (aged 16-18) with at least two years of training experience will be recruited from two high schools in Jinan and divided equally into experimental and control groups. The experimental group will undergo INT three times per week for 12 weeks, while the control group will continue regular soccer training. The study will measure changes in strength, speed, endurance, flexibility, static and dynamic balance, and dribbling performance. Data collection spans 16 weeks, including pre-tests, intervention, and post-tests. Statistical analysis will be conducted using SPSS 26.0, employing descriptive statistics, GEE models, and repeated measures ANOVA. This research aims to provide scientific evidence for the use of INT in youth soccer training in China.

Conditions

Adolescent; Healthy Volunteers (HV); Physical Fitness and Technical Skills; Football Players

Keywords

integrative neuromuscular training; football players; adolescent; physical fitness; drilling

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (9)

• Physical fitness (Sprint Speed) in high school football players

  Sprint speed was measured as the time (in seconds) to complete a 10-meter sprint from a standing start on a standard track, using a digital stopwatch. The best time from two attempts was recorded.

  baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12

• Physical fitness (muscle strength) in high school football players

  Lower limb muscle strength was measured by the maximum load lifted in a back squat using a standard barbell and weight plates. The results are reported in kilograms (kg), with participants performing up to their one-repetition maximum (1RM).

  baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12

• Physical fitness (explosive power) in high school football players

  Explosive power was measured by the height of a countermovement jump (CMJ) using a jump mat or force platform. The highest jump from two attempts was recorded in centimeters (cm).

  baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12

• Physical fitness (Agility) in high school football players

  Agility was assessed by timing how long participants took to complete the Illinois Agility Test course, measured in seconds. The test was conducted on a standard layout with electronic timing gates.

  baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12

• Physical fitness (Flexibility) in high school football players

  Flexibility was measured by the Sit-and-Reach Test using a standard sit-and-reach box. The maximum reach distance was recorded in centimeters (cm), with the best of two attempts used for analysis.

  baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12

• Dribbling performance in high school football players

  Dribbling agility was measured using the Illinois Agility Test while dribbling a football. Time to complete the course was recorded in seconds using electronic timing gates.

  baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12

• Anthropometric (height) in high school football players

  Height was measured using a standard stadiometer, with results given in centimeters (cm) accurate to 0.1 cm. Participants stood barefoot with heels together for the measurement.

  baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12

• Anthropometric (weight) in high school football players

  Weight was measured using a calibrated electronic scale, with results given in kilograms (kg) accurate to 0.1 kg. Participants wore light clothing and no shoes.

  baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12

• Anthropometric (Body Mass Index) in high school football players

  Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters (kg/m²). Weight was measured using a digital scale (accurate to 0.1 kg), and height was measured with a stadiometer (accurate to 0.1 cm).

  baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12

Study Arms (2)

integrative neuromuscular training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will complete a 12-week integrative neuromuscular training (INT) program, 3 times per week, 1 hour per session. The program includes progressive balance, strength, plyometric, speed, agility, and coordination exercises. Weeks 1-2 focus on threshold training (55-65% HRmax), including single-leg balance, box jumps (30 cm), squats, and sprints. Weeks 3-5 increase intensity (65-75% HRmax) with BOSU balance, loaded jumps, lunges, and agility drills. Weeks 6-8 and 9-12 emphasize high-threshold training (70-85% HRmax), with BOSU dynamic balance, 50 cm jumps, triangle and square jumps, Bulgarian squats, sprints, and shuttle runs with ball handling. Rest: 30-60 sec between sets.

Behavioral: Integrative Neuromuscular Training

Routine training intervention

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in the control group will follow the standard physical training program of the school over a 12-week period, with sessions conducted 3 times per week, each lasting approximately 50 minutes (including warm-up and cool-down). The training intensity will progressively increase from 55%-65% HRmax in weeks 1-3, 65%-75% HRmax in weeks 4-8, and 75%-85% HRmax in weeks 9-12. Each session includes: Warm-up (10 minutes): Movement of hands and legs, small-sided games, ball handling, and stretching exercises. Intervention (30 minutes): Weeks 1-3: Barbell back squat, barbell deadlift, bench press, continuous broad jumps, continuous burpee jumps, frontal plank (60 sec), 50m sprinting (5 reps), 2 sets of each exercise with 30-60 seconds rest. Weeks 4-5: Similar structure with increased repetitions (barbell exercises 6-10 reps, plank 70 sec). Weeks 6-8: Barbell back squat, deadlift, bench press, broad jumps, each for 3 sets, 30-60 sec rest. Weeks 9-12: Higher load with 8-12 reps pe

Behavioral: Routine training intervention

Interventions

Integrative Neuromuscular Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive a 12-week Integrative Neuromuscular Training (INT) program, conducted 3 times per week, each session lasting 1 hour. The intervention includes progressive exercises targeting balance, strength, plyometrics, speed, agility, and coordination. Training intensity increases from 55-65% HRmax in weeks 1-2, to 65-75% HRmax in weeks 3-5, and 70-85% HRmax in weeks 6-12. Exercises include single-leg balance, BOSU balance, box jumps (30-50 cm), lateral jumps, squats, Nordic hamstring exercises, sprints (20-30m), shuttle runs, and agility drills. Rest between sets is 30-60 seconds.

integrative neuromuscular training

Routine training intervention BEHAVIORAL

Participants in the control group will follow the standard physical training program of the school over a 12-week period, with sessions conducted 3 times per week, each lasting approximately 50 minutes (including warm-up and cool-down). The training intensity will progressively increase from 55%-65% HRmax in weeks 1-3, 65%-75% HRmax in weeks 4-8, and 75%-85% HRmax in weeks 9-12. Each session includes: Warm-up (10 minutes): Movement of hands and legs, small-sided games, ball handling, and stretching exercises. Intervention (30 minutes): Weeks 1-3: Barbell back squat, barbell deadlift, bench press, continuous broad jumps, continuous burpee jumps, frontal plank (60 sec), 50m sprinting (5 reps), 2 sets of each exercise with 30-60 seconds rest. Weeks 4-5: Similar structure with increased repetitions (barbell exercises 6-10 reps, plank 70 sec). Weeks 6-8: Barbell back squat, deadlift, bench press, broad jumps, each for 3 sets, 30-60 sec rest. Weeks 9-12: Higher load with 8-12 reps per

Routine training intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 16 Years - 18 Years
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male high school football players aged between 16 to 18 years
• Regular participation in football training without prior structured neuromuscular warm-up training experience within the last 12 months
• Physically healthy and capable of performing all required tests
• Voluntary consent to participate in all assessments and training sessions
• Clear understanding of the objectives and procedures of the study

You may not qualify if:

• History of significant musculoskeletal injuries (e.g., knee, ankle, or hip injuries) within the previous year
• Presence of current health conditions or medication use that might interfere with physical performance or muscular activity
• Any neurological disorders or chronic health issues that could impact participation in training or assessment
• Previous experience with structured neuromuscular warm-up training within the last year
• Uncertainty regarding the ability to consistently attend and complete the training due to personal or external factors

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Xinrui Zhang: lead

Study Sites (1)

Shandong Jigang Senior High School，46 Sangyuan Rd, Licheng District, Jinan, Jinan, Shandong, China, 250100

Jinan, Shandong, 43400, China

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Xiong J, Li S, Cao A, Qian L, Peng B, Xiao D. Effects of integrative neuromuscular training intervention on physical performance in elite female table tennis players: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One. 2022 Jan 20;17(1):e0262775. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262775. eCollection 2022.

  PMID: 35051233 BACKGROUND

• Hammami R, Negra Y, Nebigh A, Ramirez-Campillo R, Moran J, Chaabene H. Preseason Integrative Neuromuscular Training Improves Selected Measures of Physical Fitness in Highly Trained, Youth, Male Soccer Players. J Strength Cond Res. 2023 Jun 1;37(6):e384-e390. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004394. Epub 2022 Nov 30.

  PMID: 37235541 BACKGROUND

Central Study Contacts

Xinrui Zhang

CONTACT

86+15169002571; zxinrui0419@163.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 30, 2025
• First Posted: June 12, 2025
• Study Start: June 20, 2025
• Primary Completion: September 20, 2025
• Study Completion: October 20, 2025
• Last Updated: June 12, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)