Impact of Respiratory Training on Reaction Time and Other Performance Components in Young Football Players.

NCT07737379 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Resolution no. 01/03/2026
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

The overall aim of the study is to gain knowledge about the impact of respiratory training on reaction time and other components of performance in young football players.

Conditions

Training Effectiveness; Training Efficiency; Football Players

Keywords

repiratory training; reaction time; football players; soccer players

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Reaction time test using BlazePod sensors

  Reaction time test using BlazePod sensors - assessment of selective reaction time. Rapid visuomotor reaction is an important element of football, in which the player makes decisions in dynamically changing field conditions \[Nakamoto, Mori 2008\]. To assess the reaction time, the BlazePod light-sensor system will be used, which enables an objective measurement of reaction speed to randomly appearing visual stimuli and is widely used in sports training. Sensors will be placed on the ground, and the subject's task will be to touch the randomly illuminated sensor as quickly as possible. Each player will perform five assessments, and for statistical analysis the mean of the three best results will be used.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment and after 2 and 4 weeks

• T-Drill Test

  T-Drill Test - assessment of agility and speed of change of direction of movement The T-Drill Test is a commonly used tool for assessing agility, acceleration, and the ability to quickly change the direction of movement in team sports, including soccer \[Pauole et al. 2000\]. Four cones will be set up in the shape of the letter "T". The player starts from a standing position at the central point, runs forward for a distance of 10 meters, then performs lateral movements to the left and to the right, returns to the center, and runs backward to the starting location. Time measurement will be carried out using an electronic stopwatch or photogates. Each player will perform two trial runs and then two proper trials; for statistical analysis the best obtained result will be used.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment and after 2 and 4 weeks

• Sprint over 30 meters

  Sprint over 30 meters - assessment of running speed Running over a distance of 30 meters is a standard method for assessing speed and acceleration ability, constituting an important predictor of the effectiveness of offensive and defensive football playing \[Haugen et al. 2012\]. Time measurement will be conducted over a 30-meter section. The player will start the run from a standing position. Running time will be measured using photogates or an electronic stopwatch. The test will be performed twice, and for statistical analysis the best of the obtained times will be considered.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment and after 2 and 4 weeks

• Yo-Yo IR1 Test

  Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (Yo-Yo IR1) - assessment of exercise capacity The Yo-Yo IR1 Test is a widely used and well described in the literature tool for assessing aerobic and anaerobic capacity in intermittent sports, such as football \[Bangsbo et al. 2008\]. The test allows assessing the ability to perform repeated high-intensity efforts and the effectiveness of recovery between them. The player performs shuttle runs between lines spaced 20 meters apart, accordingto the pace set by an audio signal. After each double shuttle run (2 x 20 m), a short active break is performed, including a jog over a distance of 5 meters and a return to the start line. The test is ended at the moment when the athlete is unable to reach the line twice within the allotted time. Test will be conducted one time.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment and after 2 and 4 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Control group N=25

NO INTERVENTION

A standard football football training will be carried out at the MTS Football Academy in Rybnik, Poland in accordance with the applicable training program for the given age category. The training will include technical, tactical, and general development exercises, including elements of speed, agility, coordination and endurance training, carried out in the form of individual and team exercises and task games. The intensity and volume of training will be adapted to age, level of advancement and current stage of the season training. \+ 4-week follow-up

Experimental group N= 25 with respiratory training

EXPERIMENTAL

A standard football training will be carried out at the MTS Football Academy in Rybnik, Poland. In the experimental group, respiratory training will also be implemented. This training will be supplementary, low-intensity and will provide relaxation. It will not interfere with the main and total training load of the athletes. Exercises will be conducted for 4 weeks, 3 times per week, immediately after the football training unit. Each breathing training session will last about 20 minutes and will be performed in a supine position, in conditions conducive to relaxation and concentration on breathing. Respiratory training will be introduced progressively, taking into account the gradual adaptation of athletes to the exercises.

Other: Respiratory training

Interventions

Respiratory training OTHER

Week 1 Relaxation exercises using gentle diaphragmatic breathing, learning the correct diaphragmatic breathing, elements of prolonged exhalation exercises, final relaxation. Week 2 The session will be extended with diaphragmatic breathing with a gradual increase in resistance, achieved by controlled increase of resistance of the abdominal tissues and short rest phases between exercises. Week 3 and 4 The respiratory training will be supplemented with: diaphragmatic breathing with resistance manually dosed by the supervising physiotherapist, through a gentle, controlled pressure on the abdomen during the inhalation phase, exercises aimed at activating the lower ribs muscles activity, short elements of chest breathing as a supplementary exercise, final relaxation. The protocol is based on methods used in respiratory training in clinical studies involving athletes, including young soccer players with a proven beneficial effect on exercise capacity and fatigue tolerance. +4-week follow-up

Experimental group N= 25 with respiratory training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 13 Years - 15 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: 50 healthy boys aged 13-15 years (born in 2011-2013) who are training football for at least 2 years.
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• are training in football for at least 2 years;
• have a valid medical clearance to practice football,
• nave an active membership in the MTS Rybnik Football Academy,
• have parental/caregiver consent for the participation in the study,
• give an informed consent to participate in the study,
• did not participate in respiratory or other breathing training over the past year,
• are attending the training sessions during the 6 months prior to the study at a level of at least 80% of scheduled hours.

You may not qualify if:

• no valid medical clearance to practice football,
• currently occurring acute (including respiratory infections) or chronic diseases that may affect sport endurance and safety of training,
• musculoskeletal injuries requiring treatment or limiting participation in football training, sustained within the 6 months prior to participation in the study,
• illnesses requiring hospitalization within the 6 months prior to participation in the study,
• neurological or musculoskeletal conditions requiring physiotherapy within the 6 months prior to participation in the study,
• diagnosed respiratory diseases (e.g., pharmacologically uncontrolled asthma), cardiovascular diseases, or other conditions constituting a contraindication to sports and physical exertion,
• contraindications to performing breathing and respiratory exercises, such as: a tendency toward hyperventilation, dizziness during breathing exercises, or recent chest injuries.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice: lead
• MTS Rybnik Football Academy, Kilinskiego 33b Street, 44-200 Rybnik, Poland: collaborator

Study Sites (2)

Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice

Katowice, Silesian Voivodeship, 40-065, Poland

Location

MTS Rybnik Football Academy in Rybnik

Rybnik, Silesian Voivodeship, 44-200, Poland

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Breathing Exercises

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mind-Body Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Exercise Movement Techniques; Physical Therapy Modalities

Study Officials

• Anna Polak, Prof.

  The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Anna Polak, Prof.

CONTACT

32 207 51 00; a.polak@awf.katowice.pl

Laura Piejko, PT, PhD

CONTACT

32 207 51 10; l.piejko@awf.katowice.pl

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Pr, PhD

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 27, 2026
• First Posted: July 30, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 30, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2027
• Last Updated: July 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Locations

PL (2)