Yo-Yo With Ball and Small-Sided Games Intervention

NCT07408284 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: BSE-0732-2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 42
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

This study aims to investigate the differential effects of three training protocols: traditional Yo-Yo intermittent training, ball-dribbled Yo-Yo intermittent training, and small-sided games (SSGs) on aerobic capacity, anaerobic and exercise enjoyment in adolescent soccer players.

Conditions

Soccer Training; Aerobic Capacity; Anaerobic Power; Physical Activity Enjoyment

Keywords

Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1; youth team; football; exercise performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery 1 test distance

  Participants performed repeated 20-m shuttle runs between two lines at progressively increasing speeds dictated by standardized audio signals, interspersed with 10-s active recovery periods. The initial running speed was set at 10 km·h-¹ and increased stepwise according to the YYIR1 protocol. Participants were required to reach the 20-m line in time with the audio cue. A first failure to meet the line in time resulted in a warning, and the test was terminated after a second failure. The total distance covered before test termination was recorded as the YYIR1 score. YYIR1 distance is expressed in meters, with higher values indicating greater intermittent aerobic capacity and a superior ability to perform and recover from repeated high-intensity running efforts.

  Baseline and end of intervention at 4 weeks

• Anaerobic power

  Anaerobic power was assessed using the Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) performed on a cycle ergometer. After a standardized warm-up, participants completed a 30-s all-out sprint against a resistance equivalent to 7.5% of their body mass. Participants were instructed to pedal as fast as possible throughout the entire test, and strong verbal encouragement was provided. Power output was recorded continuously. Peak power output (PPO) was defined as the highest mechanical power achieved over any 5-s interval, and mean power output (MPO) was calculated as the average power across the full 30-s test duration. Anaerobic power outcomes are expressed in watts (W), with higher PPO and MPO values indicating greater maximal and sustained anaerobic power capacity.

  baseline and end of intervention at 4 weeks

• Physical activity enjoyment

  Overall session enjoyment was assessed using the PACES-8. Participants rated how they felt about the activity on eight items using a 7-point Likert scale from 1 (unpleasurable) to 7 (pleasurable).Total scores ranged from 8 to 56, with higher scores indicating greater physical activity enjoyment.

  every Saturday acute after training during 4-week intervention

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Repeated Sprint Ability

  baseline and end of intervention at 4 weeks

• 10/30m sprint performance

  baseline and end of intervention at 4 weeks

Study Arms (3)

Yo-Yo running training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this arm performed Yo-Yo-based intermittent shuttle running training. Each training bout consisted of repeated 15-second running efforts interspersed with 15 seconds of passive recovery, following a standardized Yo-Yo running format. Each set lasted four minutes. An audio signal with a fixed rhythm was used to regulate running and recovery intervals. Participants were instructed to synchronize their movements with the audio cues and to perform each running bout at maximal intensity.

Other: Yo-Yo running training

Ball-dribbled Yo-Yo training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this arm performed Yo-Yo-based intermittent shuttle running training incorporating ball dribbling. Each training bout consisted of repeated 15-second running efforts with ball control, interspersed with 15 seconds of passive recovery, following a standardized Yo-Yo dribbling format. Each set lasted four minutes. An audio cue with a fixed rhythm was played throughout the session to regulate the timing of exercise and recovery. Participants were instructed to synchronize their movements with the audio cues and to maintain maximal intensity during each running bout.

Other: Ball-dribbled Yo-Yo training

Small-sided Games

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this arm performed small-sided games-based training. The games were conducted on a rectangular field measuring 25 × 35 meters, using a 4 versus 4 player format. The intervention involved game-based, intermittent high-intensity activities that combined physical, technical, and tactical demands. Participants were instructed to engage actively in the games and to maintain high effort throughout each bout.

Other: Small-sided games

Interventions

Yo-Yo running training OTHER

Yo-Yo running training is a form of running-based high-intensity interval training characterized by repeated bouts of shuttle running with intermittent recovery periods. The training involves forward and backward running over a fixed distance at progressively increasing speeds, following standardized Yo-Yo test protocols.

Also known as: Running-based High-intensity interval training, Shuttle Running training, R-HIIT

Yo-Yo running training

Ball-dribbled Yo-Yo training OTHER

Ball-dribbled Yo-Yo training is a modified form of Yo-Yo-based running training that integrates ball dribbling into an intermittent shuttle running format. This intervention combines repeated high-intensity running bouts with soccer-specific technical demands, requiring participants to control and dribble a ball while performing forward and backward shuttle runs at prescribed speeds.

Also known as: Ball-dribbled High-intensity interval training, B-HIIT

Ball-dribbled Yo-Yo training

Small-sided games OTHER

Small-sided games (SSG) are a game-based soccer training intervention characterized by modified match play involving a reduced number of players on a smaller pitch. This intervention requires participants to engage in intermittent, high-intensity activities while performing soccer-specific technical and tactical actions under game-like conditions.

Also known as: SSG

Small-sided Games

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 13 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• (1) Aged between 13 and 18 years. (2) At least 1 year of formal soccer training experience. (3) Free from major sports-related injury in the past year. (4) In good general health with no smoking or alcohol consumption habits. (5) No known psychological or psychiatric disorders that may affect participation.
• (6) No participation in similar training interventions within the past 12 months.
• (7) Able to attend scheduled training sessions.

You may not qualify if:

• (1)Outside the age range of 13-18 years. (2) Less than 1 year of formal soccer training experience. (3) History of major sports-related injury limiting training participation. (4) Presence of chronic disease or unhealthy habits (e.g., smoking or alcohol use).
• (5) Known psychological or psychiatric disorders affecting study compliance. (6) Participation in similar training interventions within the previous 12 months.
• (7) Attendance of fewer than 75% of the 12 planned training sessions.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Macau: lead

Study Sites (2)

Football court, Yuet Wah College

Macao, Macau

Location

UM Kinesiology Lab

Macao, Macau

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Amani-Shalamzari S, Khoshghadam E, Donyaei A, Parnow A, Bayati M, Clemente FM. Generic vs. small-sided game training in futsal: Effects on aerobic capacity, anaerobic power and agility. Physiol Behav. 2019 May 15;204:347-354. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2019.03.017. Epub 2019 Mar 17.

  PMID: 30894306 BACKGROUND

• Arslan E, Orer GE, Clemente FM. Running-based high-intensity interval training vs. small-sided game training programs: effects on the physical performance, psychophysiological responses and technical skills in young soccer players. Biol Sport. 2020 Jun;37(2):165-173. doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2020.94237. Epub 2020 Mar 31.

  PMID: 32508384 BACKGROUND

• Kong Z, Qi F, Shi Q. The influence of basketball dribbling on repeated high-intensity intermittent runs. J Exerc Sci Fit. 2015 Dec;13(2):117-122. doi: 10.1016/j.jesf.2015.10.001. Epub 2015 Nov 21.

  PMID: 29541109 BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Zhaowei Kong, PHD

  University of Macau

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 15, 2026
• First Posted: February 13, 2026
• Study Start: September 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: November 4, 2025
• Study Completion: November 11, 2025
• Last Updated: February 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF, CSR
• Time Frame: 27/12/2025-27/12/2028
• Access Criteria: These data will be made available via the Open Science Framework (OSF) and can be accessed without restrictions.

Locations

MA (2)