Effects of Resisted Versus Unresisted Sprint Training on Sprint Force-Velocity Profile in Youth Footballers

NCT07418892 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: CE-042024-6-2024
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 44
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomised, controlled, two-arm trial evaluates whether light resisted sprint training (sled towing at 20% of body mass) produces superior improvements in 30 m sprint mechanical outputs compared with matched-dose unresisted sprint training in youth footballers. Participants complete two supervised sessions per week for six consecutive weeks, integrated into normal academy microcycles on the same artificial-turf surface. Primary outcomes are changes in sprint-derived force-velocity-power profile parameters and 30 m sprint performance, with secondary outcomes including countermovement jump height and anthropometrics.

Conditions

Sprint Force-Velocity-Power Profile; Football (Soccer) Sprint Performance

Keywords

Resisted sprint training; Sled towing; Unresisted sprinting; Youth footballers; force-velocity profile; Horizontal power; RF-peak; Countermovement jump

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change from baseline to post-intervention in best 30 m sprint time

  Best (fastest) 30 m sprint time, expressed in seconds (s). The reported value is the best 30 m time (s).

  From baseline assessment (within 1 week prior to first training session) to post-intervention assessment (within 1 week after the final training session), over the 6-week intervention period.

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Change from baseline to post-intervention in theoretical maximal horizontal force (F0)

  From baseline assessment (within 1 week prior to first training session) to post-intervention assessment (within 1 week after the final training session), over the 6-week intervention period.

• Change from baseline to post-intervention in peak sprint velocity

  From baseline assessment (within 1 week prior to first training session) to post-intervention assessment (within 1 week after the final training session), over the 6-week intervention period.

• Change from baseline to post-intervention in rate of decrease in RF with velocity (DRF)

  From baseline assessment (within 1 week prior to first training session) to post-intervention assessment (within 1 week after the final training session), over the 6-week intervention period.

• Change from baseline to post-intervention in peak ratio of horizontal force (RF_peak)

  From baseline assessment (within 1 week prior to first training session) to post-intervention assessment (within 1 week after the final training session), over the 6-week intervention period.

• Change from baseline to post-intervention in ratio of horizontal force (RF)

  From baseline assessment (within 1 week prior to first training session) to post-intervention assessment (within 1 week after the final training session), over the 6-week intervention period.

Other Outcomes (3)

• Change from baseline to post-intervention in stature (standing height)

  From baseline assessment (within 1 week prior to first training session) to post-intervention assessment (within 1 week after the final training session), over the 6-week intervention period.

• Change from baseline to post-intervention in body mass

  From baseline assessment (within 1 week prior to first training session) to post-intervention assessment (within 1 week after the final training session), over the 6-week intervention period.

• Change from baseline to post-intervention in body mass index (BMI)

  From baseline assessment (within 1 week prior to first training session) to post-intervention assessment (within 1 week after the final training session), over the 6-week intervention period.

Study Arms (2)

Resisted Sprint Training (RST)

EXPERIMENTAL

20 m maximal sprints towing a sled loaded to 20% of individual body mass (sled tare 3 kg; plates added). 3 sets × 5 repetitions, 45 s inter-rep rest, 3 min inter-set rest; two supervised sessions/week for six weeks, conducted at the start of squad training, on the same artificial-turf surface.

Other: Resisted Sprint Training

Unresisted Sprint Training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

20 m maximal sprints without external resistance; dose and rest schedule identical to RST (3 × 5 × 20 m; 45 s; 3 min); two sessions/week for six weeks; same surface and session placement; standard team training continues.

Other: Unresisted Sprint Training

Interventions

Resisted Sprint Training OTHER

20 m maximal sprints towing a sled loaded to 20% of individual body mass (sled tare 3 kg; plates added). 3 sets × 5 repetitions, 45 s inter-rep rest, 3 min inter-set rest; two supervised sessions/week for six weeks, conducted at the start of squad training, on the same artificial-turf surface.

Resisted Sprint Training (RST)

Unresisted Sprint Training OTHER

20 m maximal sprints without external resistance; dose and rest schedule identical to RST (3 × 5 × 20 m; 45 s; 3 min); two sessions/week for six weeks; same surface and session placement; standard team training continues.

Unresisted Sprint Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 13 Years - 17 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Male football (soccer) player aged 13 to 17 years.
• Registered Under-14 or Juvenile player in an organized football program/club/league.
• At least 1 year of organized football experience.
• Current health-system affiliation (e.g., EPS).
• Provided informed assent; parent/guardian provided written informed consent (for minors).
• Able to attend and comply with the sessional training and testing protocol.

You may not qualify if:

• Current musculoskeletal complaint or injury at baseline.
• Ongoing rehabilitation at baseline.
• Logistical constraints preventing participation in the sessional protocol (e.g., inability to attend required sessions/assessments).
• Injury incurred during the intervention that prevents safe continuation (participant will be withdrawn).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Federal University of Vicosa: lead
• Universidad de Antioquia: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Universidad de Antioquia

Medellín, Antioquia, 054080, Colombia

Location

Related Publications (6)

• Young, J. D., Whitten, J., Reid, J., Quigley, P. J., Low, J., Li, Y., Lima, C., Hodgson, D., Chaouachi, A., Prieske, O., & Granacher, U. (2017). Effectiveness of Traditional Strength vs. Power Training on Muscle Strength, Power and Speed with Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2017.0042

  BACKGROUND

• Baena-Raya, A., García-Mateo, P., García-Ramos, A., Rodríguez-Pérez, M., & Soriano-Maldonado, A. (2021). Delineating the potential of the vertical and horizontal force-velocity profile for optimizing sport performance: A systematic review. Journal of Sports Sciences, 40, 331 - 344. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2021.199364 Behm, D. G.,

  BACKGROUND

• Bachero-Mena, B., & González-Badillo, J. (2014). Effects of Resisted Sprint Training on Acceleration With Three Different Loads Accounting for 5, 12.5, and 20% of Body Mass. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 28, 2954-2960. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.000000000000049

  BACKGROUND

• Aquino, R., Gonçalves, L. G., Galgaro, M., Maria, T. S., Rostaiser, E., Garcia, G. R., Neto, M. V. M., & Nakamura, F. Y. (2021). Mach running performance in Brazilian professional soccer players: comparisons between successful and unsuccessful teams. https://doi.org/10.31236/osf.io/jm579

  BACKGROUND

• Amore, M., Minciacchi, D., Panconi, G., Guarducci, S., Bravi, R., & Sorgente, V. (2024). Impact of Sled-Integrated Resisted Sprint Training on Sprint and Vertical Jump Performance in Young U-14 Male Football Players. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 9. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9040256

  BACKGROUND

• Alcaraz, P. E., Carlos-Vivas, J., Oponjuru, B. O., & Martínez-Rodríguez, A. (2018). The Effectiveness of Resisted Sled Training (RST) for Sprint Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 48(9), 2143-2165. doi:10.1007/s40279-018-0947-8

  BACKGROUND

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 23, 2026
• First Posted: February 18, 2026
• Study Start: August 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: September 20, 2024
• Study Completion: September 20, 2024
• Last Updated: February 18, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CO (1)