Cognitive-Integrated Soccer Training and Performance

NCT07284940 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: QDU-HEC-2024376
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 43
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aimed to examine the acute effects of integrating cognitive elements into basic soccer dribbling practice on cognitive performance and motor skill learning in adolescents. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted involving 43 male adolescents, who were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group participated in cognitively integrated dribbling practice, while the control group performed traditional cone-based dribbling practice. Each participant completed a single structured practice session lasting approximately 30 minutes. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Flanker task and the 2-back task, while soccer skill learning was evaluated through standardized dribbling performance tests. All assessments were administered immediately before and after the practice session. The study was designed to compare short-term changes in cognitive and motor outcomes between the two training approaches under controlled conditions. This trial contributes to understanding how cognitively enriched soccer practice may be structured and evaluated in adolescent populations within physical education and youth sport settings.

Conditions

Performance; Motor Development; Executive Function (Cognition); Soccer Training

Keywords

integrative class; cognitive promotion; dribbling; soccer; physical education

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Reaction time on cognitive tasks (Stroop task and 2-back task)

  Reaction time (in milliseconds) will be recorded for correct responses during computerized Stroop and 2-back tasks. Mean reaction time across trials will be calculated separately for each task at each assessment time point.

  Baseline (pre-intervention, Day 1) and immediately post-intervention (Day 1)

• Response accuracy on cognitive tasks (Stroop task and 2-back task)

  Response accuracy will be calculated as the percentage of correct responses during computerized Stroop and 2-back tasks. Accuracy values will be summarized for each task at baseline and immediately after the intervention.

  Baseline (pre-intervention, Day 1) and immediately post-intervention (Day 1)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Dribbling performance time

  Baseline (pre-intervention, Day 1) and immediately post-intervention (Day 1)

Study Arms (2)

Cognitively Engaging Soccer Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral: Cognitively Engaging Soccer Practice

Conventional Soccer Training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Behavioral: Conventional Soccer Practice

Interventions

Cognitively Engaging Soccer Practice BEHAVIORAL

This intervention integrates cognitive elements into basic soccer skill practice. Participants engage in 20-minute soccer dribbling sessions that include decision-making tasks, attention control, and working memory challenges embedded within motor actions. For example, players must react to color or number cues while performing dribbling drills. The purpose is to enhance both motor learning and cognitive performance through dual-task engagement.Cognitively Engaging Soccer Practice

Cognitively Engaging Soccer Training

Conventional Soccer Practice BEHAVIORAL

This intervention consists of traditional soccer dribbling training without added cognitive tasks. Participants perform the same duration and frequency of soccer skill practice (20 minutes) focusing purely on motor performance and technique refinement. No external cognitive demands are introduced.

Conventional Soccer Training

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Male adolescents aged 16-18 years;
• Healthy students with no recent injury affecting movement or physical activity;
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision;
• Not taking any medication during the study period;
• Soccer novices with no formal or only limited soccer training experience

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosed neurological disorders;
• Diagnosed musculoskeletal disorders;
• Use of medications known to affect cognitive function

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fan Mao: lead

Study Sites (1)

Qingdao University, School of Physical Education

Qingdao, Shandong, 266071, China

Location

Related Publications (2)

• Alesi M, Bianco A, Padulo J, Luppina G, Petrucci M, Paoli A, Palma A, Pepi A. Motor and cognitive growth following a Football Training Program. Front Psychol. 2015 Oct 27;6:1627. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01627. eCollection 2015.

  PMID: 26579014 RESULT

• Mao F, Li Z, Qiu C, Fang Q. Developing integrative practice on basic soccer skills to stimulate cognitive promotion for children and adolescents. Front Psychol. 2024 Apr 19;15:1348006. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1348006. eCollection 2024. No abstract available.

  PMID: 38708011 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sialorrhea

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Salivary Gland Diseases; Mouth Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: CARE PROVIDER
• Masking Details: Only the coaches delivering the intervention are blinded to group allocation. Participants and outcome assessors are not blinded due to the nature of the intervention.
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Clinical Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 20, 2025
• First Posted: December 16, 2025
• Study Start: February 15, 2024
• Primary Completion: May 23, 2024
• Study Completion: June 27, 2024
• Last Updated: December 16, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)