Unlocking PAPE in Football: Effects of Eight Weeks of French Contrast Training on RSI, Sprint Performance, and Anaerobic Profile

NCT07511348 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: E-95674917-108.99-379723
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 28
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the effects of an 8-week French Contrast Training (FCT) intervention on reactive strength index (RSI), sprint performance, and anaerobic profile in elite youth football players

Conditions

Athletic Performance; Neuromuscular Adaptations

Keywords

Football; French Contrast Training; PAPE; Reactive Strength Index; Anaerobic Power

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Reactive Strength Index

  The pre-test and post-test Relative Strength Index (RSI) values of the sample group were obtained using the countermovement jump (CMJ) test. Participants started from an upright standing position on the platform with their feet shoulder-width apart and hands placed on their hips to eliminate arm swing. From this position, they were instructed to perform a rapid downward movement by flexing the hips and knees, immediately followed by a maximal vertical jump without any pause between the eccentric and concentric phases. Participants were required to keep their hands on their hips throughout the movement and to take off and land with both feet while attempting to jump as high as possible.

  8 weeks

• Anaerobic Power

  Anaerobic profile (anaerobic capacity and fatigue index values) of the football players were assessed using a mechanically braked cycle ergometer connected to a computer and compatible software Wingate 894E test system. Prior to testing, the saddle height and pedal position were individually adjusted for each athlete to ensure an approximately 10% knee flexion angle at the lowest pedal position. After entering the athletes' descriptive information into the computer, the resistance load was automatically calculated by the system as 75 g per kg of body mass and subsequently applied to the ergometer's braking mechanism

  8 week

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Sprint Performance (10-meter)

  8 week

• Fatigue Index

  8 week

Study Arms (2)

French Contrast Training + Standard football training (8 weeks)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in the experimental group performed French Contrast Training twice per week for 8 weeks, including heavy resistance, plyometric, loaded power, and assisted exercises.

Other: French Contrast Training + Standard football training (8 weeks); Other: Control

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Standard football training

Interventions

Control OTHER

Standard football training

Also known as: Standard football training

French Contrast Training + Standard football training (8 weeks)

French Contrast Training + Standard football training (8 weeks) OTHER

Participants in the experimental group performed French Contrast Training twice per week for 8 weeks, including heavy resistance, plyometric, loaded power, and assisted exercises.

Also known as: French Contrast Training

French Contrast Training + Standard football training (8 weeks)

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Minimum 3 years football training
• ≥80% training attendance
• Injury-free for 6 months
• Licensed academy player

You may not qualify if:

• Musculoskeletal injury
• Neurological disorder
• Additional training programs
• Ergogenic aid use

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Gümüşhane Universıty: lead

Study Sites (1)

Gumushane Univetsity

Gümüşhane, Trabzon, Ordu, Giresun, Rize, Artvin, Gümüşhane, 29600, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: CARE PROVIDER, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: ASSOC. PROF.

Model Details: This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the effects of an 8-week French Contrast Training (FCT) intervention on reactive strength index (RSI), sprint performance, and anaerobic profile in elite youth football players.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 28, 2026
• First Posted: April 6, 2026
• Study Start: December 5, 2025
• Primary Completion: February 15, 2026
• Study Completion: February 20, 2026
• Last Updated: April 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)