SAQ Training Versus Small-Sided Games for Cardiovascular Adaptations in Youth Football Players

NCT07633210 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: REF:3/26
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 18
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the effects of Speed, Agility, and Quickness (SAQ) training and Small-Sided Games (SSGs) on cardiovascular adaptations in youth football players. Thirty-six male youth football players were randomly assigned to an SAQ training group and an SSG group. Participants completed an 8-week intervention program. Cardiovascular outcomes, including resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure, were assessed before and after the intervention. The study evaluated the effectiveness of these training approaches for improving cardiovascular health and physiological adaptations in youth football players.

Conditions

Cardiovascular Fitness

Keywords

Cardiovascular Responses

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Resting Heart Rate

  Resting heart rate measured in beats per minute (bpm)

  Baseline and Week 8

• Exercise Heart Rate

  Heart rate measured immediately after completion of the 20-meter shuttle run test.

  Baseline and Week 8

• Resting Diastolic Blood Pressure

  Resting diastolic blood pressure measured in mmHg.

  Baseline and Week 8

• Resting Systolic Blood Pressure

  Resting systolic blood pressure measured in mmHg.

  Baseline and Week 8

Study Arms (2)

SAQ Training Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received the SAQ training intervention for 8 weeks

Behavioral: SAQ Training

Small-Sided Games Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants received the Small-Sided Games training intervention for 8 weeks

Behavioral: Small-Sided Games Training

Interventions

SAQ Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants completed an 8-week Speed, Agility, and Quickness (SAQ) training program designed to improve movement efficiency, agility, acceleration, and cardiovascular adaptations. Training sessions were integrated into the regular football training schedule and were performed throughout the intervention period

SAQ Training Group

Small-Sided Games Training BEHAVIORAL

Participants completed an 8-week Small-Sided Games (SSG) training program involving soccer-specific game-based exercises performed in reduced playing areas. The intervention was designed to provide technical, tactical, and physiological training stimuli and to promote cardiovascular adaptations.

Small-Sided Games Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 14 Years - 16 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Male football players aged 14 to 16 years. Minimum of 2 years of organized football training experience. Regular participation in football training at least 3 times per week. Ability to participate in all training sessions and assessments. Written informed consent provided by participants and their parents or legal guardians.

You may not qualify if:

• Musculoskeletal injury within the previous 3 months. History of cardiovascular disease. Metabolic disorders. Neurological disorders. Use of medications that could affect cardiovascular responses or physical performance.
• Failure to complete the intervention or assessment procedures.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Benha University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Benha Sporting Club

Banhā, Qalyubia Governorate, 13111, Egypt

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: No masking was applied. Participants and investigators were aware of group assignment throughout the intervention.
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned to two parallel groups: SAQ training and small-sided games. The intervention lasted 8 weeks.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 3, 2026
• First Posted: June 8, 2026
• Study Start: March 2, 2026
• Primary Completion: April 27, 2026
• Study Completion: April 27, 2026
• Last Updated: June 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

EG (1)