Comparison of Velocity-Based and Traditional Strength Training in Youth Soccer Players

NCT07447258 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: PAU-VBT-2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study compared the effects of velocity-based strength training and traditional strength training on physical performance and muscle adaptations in youth soccer players. Twenty-four male youth soccer players were randomly assigned to one of three training groups: velocity-based training with 10% velocity loss, velocity-based training with 20% velocity loss, or traditional resistance training performed to failure. All groups trained twice per week for six weeks using the same relative load. Before and after the training period, participants completed assessments of sprint performance, jump performance, change of direction speed, muscle strength, and muscle thickness. The purpose of this study was to determine whether velocity-based training could provide similar or superior improvements in performance and muscle development compared with traditional training while using a lower total training volume.

Conditions

Athletic Performance; Muscle Strength; Resistance Training

Keywords

Velocity-Based Training; Strength Training; Youth Soccer; Muscle Hypertrophy; Sprint Performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Maximal Strength (1RM)

  Maximal dynamic strength was assessed using the one-repetition maximum (1RM) test in the squat exercise. Measurements were performed at baseline and 6-week training intervention to evaluate changes in maximal strength across groups.

  Baseline and 6 weeks of training

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Mean Propulsive Velocity

  Baseline and 6 weeks of training

• Training Volume Load

  Throughout the 6-week training period

Study Arms (3)

Velocity-Based Training (10% Velocity Loss)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants performed resistance training using a velocity-based approach. Each set was terminated when a 10% loss in movement velocity was reached, as monitored by a velocity-tracking device. Training sessions were conducted twice per week for six weeks using the same relative load as the other groups.

Other: Velocity-Based Training (10% Velocity Loss)

Velocity-Based Training (20% Velocity Loss)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants performed resistance training using a velocity-based approach, with each set terminated when a 20% loss in movement velocity was reached.

Other: Velocity-Based Training (20% Velocity Loss)

Traditional Strength Training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants performed traditional resistance training with sets completed until voluntary muscular failure without velocity monitoring.

Other: Traditional Strength Training

Interventions

Velocity-Based Training (10% Velocity Loss) OTHER

Resistance training performed using a velocity-based approach, where repetition velocity was monitored using a wearable device and each set was terminated when a 10% loss in movement velocity was reached. Training sessions were conducted twice per week for six weeks at a relative intensity of 80% of one-repetition maximum.

Velocity-Based Training (10% Velocity Loss)

Velocity-Based Training (20% Velocity Loss) OTHER

Resistance training performed using a velocity-based approach, where repetition velocity was monitored using a wearable device and each set was terminated when a 20% loss in movement velocity was reached. Training sessions were conducted twice per week for six weeks at a relative intensity of 80% of one-repetition maximum.

Velocity-Based Training (20% Velocity Loss)

Traditional Strength Training OTHER

Traditional resistance training performed without velocity monitoring, where sets were completed until voluntary concentric muscular failure. Training sessions were conducted twice per week for six weeks at a relative intensity of 80% of one-repetition maximum.

Traditional Strength Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 15 Years - 17 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Male youth soccer players aged 15-17 years
• Competing in an elite youth soccer academy league
• Actively participating in organized soccer training and official competitions
• Minimum of 2 years of structured resistance training experience as part of team training
• Training regularly five days per week with official matches on weekends
• Free from musculoskeletal injury or other health problems at the time of enrollment
• Ability to correctly perform squat, deadlift, and hip thrust exercises
• Written informed consent obtained from parents or legal guardians, and assent obtained from participants

You may not qualify if:

• History of musculoskeletal injury or surgery within the previous 6 months
• Presence of any neurological, cardiovascular, or orthopedic disorder
• Use of performance-enhancing drugs or supplements affecting neuromuscular performance
• Participation in another structured strength or conditioning research study within the previous 3 months
• Failure to attend more than 10% of the scheduled training sessions
• Inability or unwillingness to comply with the study protocol or testing procedures

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Engin Güneş Atabaş: lead

Study Sites (1)

Pamukkale University Sports Science Research Laboratory

Denizli, Pamukkale, 20000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (6)

• Mann, J. B., Ivey, P. A., & Sayers, S. P. (2015). Velocity-based training in football. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 37, 52-57.

  BACKGROUND

• González-Badillo, J. J., Yañez-García, J. M., Mora-Custodio, R., & Rodríguez-Rosell, D. (2017). Velocity loss as a variable for monitoring resistance exercise. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 38(3), 217-225.

  BACKGROUND

• Zhang, X., Feng, S., Peng, R., & Li, H. (2023). Effects of velocity-based training vs. traditional 1RM percentage-based training on strength, jump, sprint, and change of direction performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 18(5), e0286392.

  BACKGROUND

• Weakley, J., Mann, B., Banyard, H., McLaren, S., Scott, T., & Garcia-Ramos, A. (2021). Velocity-based training: From theory to application. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 43(2), 31-49.

  BACKGROUND

• Pareja-Blanco, F., Sánchez-Medina, L., Suárez-Arrones, L., & González-Badillo, J. J. (2017). Effects of velocity loss during resistance training on performance in professional soccer players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 12, 512-519.

  BACKGROUND

• Atabaş, E. G., Yapıcı, A., Fındıkoğlu Ergin, G., & Alemdaroğlu, B. U. Comparison of Velocity-Based and Traditional Strength Training Methods on Physiological and Motoric Parameters. (Manuscript in preparation / doctoral thesis derived study). Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey.

  RESULT

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD Researcher in Sports Sciences

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned to one of three parallel training groups and completed the intervention concurrently for six weeks.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 30, 2025
• First Posted: March 3, 2026
• Study Start: March 15, 2021
• Primary Completion: May 15, 2021
• Study Completion: May 15, 2021
• Last Updated: March 3, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)