Comparative Effects of Modified Tabata Training and Fartlek Training in Amateur Football

NCT07331649 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR&AHS/24/0495
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 34
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Background: Football requires players to excel in both high-intensity, fast-paced actions and slower moments of rest, which demand a range of well-developed motor skills, including power, endurance and strength. Endurance enables players to maintain prolonged physical effort without diminishing performance, a necessity given the sport's demand for players to cover 9-14 km per game, with up to 15% of this distance covered in high-intensity sprints. Strength is also crucial, helping players perform actions such as jumping, pushing during sprints, and maintaining stability, all of which enhance performance and resilience on the field. To adapt to the changing physical demands of football, training methods like treadmill sprint training and fartlek training (FT) are commonly used, each with different impacts on physiological development. Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the effects of treadmill sprint training and fartlek training on leg press strength, power and endurance on amateur football players. Methodology: A sample size of 42 football players will be randomly allocated to either fartlek training group or modified Tabata training group. A typical fartlek session begins with a warm-up, followed by intervals of intense effort (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 3, 2 minute hard and moderate runs) with recovery periods (2 minutes) in between, then concludes with a cool-down. This 2, 3, 4, 3, 2 interval set helps athletes improve endurance, strength and power and adapt to varied game-like conditions. The Modified Tabata training Program that will be carried out for 3 sessions per week over 6 weeks is as follows: there will be 3 training sessions in a week. In first two weeks, the 24-minute session will be divided into 6 sets, each set lasting 4 minutes consist of 8 rounds, with a 2-minute rest period between each set. The 4 minute exercise duration will consist of a work-to-rest ratio of 20 seconds of work and 10 seconds of rest. The level of exercise progressively increased throughout the 6-week program, by increasing the set of exercise Outcome measures in the both groups will be assessed by Squats test, Vertical jump test,3-min step up test and Yo-Yo Intermittent recovery test . All these measures will be taken at the baseline and again after 6 weeks of training to assess the effectiveness of the training program and the resulting improvements in strength, power, and endurance.

Conditions

Sports Physical Therapy

Keywords

Modified Tabata Training; Fartlek Training; Amateur Football Players

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Squat Test

  The squats test was used to assess the strength of the lower limbs, clearly indicating the players' ability to generate force through their legs, which is crucial for movements such as sprinting and jumping in football.

  6 weeks

• Vertical Jump Test

  The vertical jump test was utilized to measure explosive power, an essential component for effective performance in football, as it directly relates to a players ability to jump for headers or evade opponents.

  6 weeks

• 3-minute step-up Test

  To measure cardiovascular endurance, 3-minute step-up test was used, which evaluates the players' ability to sustain activity over time, reflecting their cardiovascular fitness and stamina on the field.

  6 weeks

• YoYo intermittent recovery Test

  To Measure speed Endurance, YoYo intermittent recovery test was used, which evaluate the athlete´s speed endurance, aerobic capacity and fitness level. By completing YoYo intermittent recovery test, players demonstrate their ability to sustain intense physical activity, change direction quickly and maintain speed.

  6 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Group A

EXPERIMENTAL

40 Participants will be in Group A. They will Perform Modified Tabata Training.

Other: Modified Tabata Training

Group B

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

40 participant will be Group B. They will perform Fartlek Training.

Other: Fartlek Training

Interventions

Modified Tabata Training OTHER

The Modified Tabata training Program that will be carried out for 3 sessions per week over 6 weeks is as follows: there will be 3 training sessions in a week. In first two weeks, the 24-minute session will be divided into 6 sets, each set lasting 4 minutes consist of 8 rounds, with a 2-minute rest period between each set. The 4 minute exercise duration will consist of a work-to-rest ratio of 20 seconds of work and 10 seconds of rest

Group A

Fartlek Training OTHER

fartlek session begins with a warm-up, followed by intervals of intense effort (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 3, 2 minute hard and moderate runs) with recovery periods (2 minutes) in between, then concludes with a cool-down.

Group B

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Young Male football player aged 18-25 years.
• Amateur football players (who are in practice from last 8 months)
• Athletes with BMI 18.5kg/m2 -24.9kg/m2.
• Engages in other physical activities (e.g., gym, running) at least weekly.
• The participants not taking any supplements or steroids.

You may not qualify if:

• The participants with a history of a severe injury (e.g. ACL tear, fracture ) in the last 6 months.
• History of any lower limb surgery (e.g., ACL reconstruction or any major surgery)
• Any musculoskeletal disorder.
• Chronic respiratory conditions (e.g., COPD, severe asthma) affecting exercise capacity.
• Significant weight fluctuations in the past 3 months.
• Any diagnosed psychological and cardiovascular conditions that could affect participation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Al Mussadiq Institute of Higher Education

Kharian, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Location

Related Publications (6)

• Chaouachi A, Brughelli M, Chamari K, Levin GT, Ben Abdelkrim N, Laurencelle L, Castagna C. Lower limb maximal dynamic strength and agility determinants in elite basketball players. J Strength Cond Res. 2009 Aug;23(5):1570-7. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181a4e7f0.

  PMID: 19620905 BACKGROUND

• Bret C, Rahmani A, Dufour AB, Messonnier L, Lacour JR. Leg strength and stiffness as ability factors in 100 m sprint running. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2002 Sep;42(3):274-81.

  PMID: 12094115 BACKGROUND

• Hori N, Newton RU, Andrews WA, Kawamori N, McGuigan MR, Nosaka K. Does performance of hang power clean differentiate performance of jumping, sprinting, and changing of direction? J Strength Cond Res. 2008 Mar;22(2):412-8. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e318166052b.

  PMID: 18550955 BACKGROUND

• Nowak M, Szymanek-Pilarczyk M, Stolarczyk A, Oleksy L, Muracki J, Wasik J. Normative and limit values of speed, endurance and power tests results of young football players. Front Physiol. 2025 Jan 8;15:1502694. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1502694. eCollection 2024.

  PMID: 39844899 BACKGROUND

• Di Giminiani R, Visca C. Explosive strength and endurance adaptations in young elite soccer players during two soccer seasons. PLoS One. 2017 Feb 13;12(2):e0171734. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171734. eCollection 2017.

  PMID: 28192512 BACKGROUND

• Modric T, Versic S, Sekulic D. Position Specific Running Performances in Professional Football (Soccer): Influence of Different Tactical Formations. Sports (Basel). 2020 Dec 10;8(12):161. doi: 10.3390/sports8120161.

  PMID: 33321874 BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Afifa Tariq

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The Outcome Assessors are Blind
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Randomized Clinical Trial

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 29, 2025
• First Posted: January 12, 2026
• Study Start: November 21, 2024
• Primary Completion: October 5, 2025
• Study Completion: November 5, 2025
• Last Updated: January 12, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)