Muscle Oxygenation and Autonomic Recovery After Repeated Sprint in Competitive Soccer Players

NCT07742163 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: PAU-NIRS-HRV-RSA-2026
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 48
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study evaluates the acute and short-term recovery responses to repeated sprint exercise in competitive male soccer players. Forty-eight licensed male soccer players complete an 8 × 30 m repeated sprint protocol under field conditions, with 25 seconds of active recovery between sprints. The study examines several aspects of recovery. Muscle oxygenation is assessed using portable near-infrared spectroscopy sensors placed on the vastus lateralis and biceps femoris muscles. Cardiac autonomic recovery is evaluated using heart rate variability measurements obtained at baseline, 5 minutes, 30 minutes, and 24 hours after the repeated sprint protocol. Countermovement jump performance is measured before the protocol, 10 minutes after the protocol, and 24 hours later. Sprint performance, blood lactate concentration, and perceived exertion are also recorded to characterize the physiological and performance demands of the repeated sprint protocol. The study aims to determine how muscle oxygenation, cardiac autonomic recovery, and neuromuscular performance change during the recovery period following repeated sprint exercise and whether these recovery indicators are associated with repeated sprint performance.

Conditions

Exercise-Induced Fatigue

Keywords

Repeated Sprint; Muscle Oxygenation; Near-Infrared Spectroscopy; Heart Rate Variability; Countermovement Jump; Exercise Recovery; Soccer; Blood Lactate; Neuromuscular Performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Heart Rate Variability: RMSSD

  RMSSD was calculated from 5-minute R-R interval recordings obtained using a Polar H10 chest strap and analyzed with Kubios HRV Standard software. RMSSD was expressed in milliseconds and used as an indicator of parasympathetic cardiac autonomic recovery.

  Baseline, 5 minutes, 30 minutes, and 24 hours after the repeated sprint protocol.

Secondary Outcomes (13)

• Baseline Muscle Oxygen Saturation

  Immediately before the repeated sprint protocol.

• Minimum Muscle Oxygen Saturation

  During the 8 × 30 m repeated sprint protocol.

• Muscle Oxygen Desaturation Difference

  Baseline and during the 8 × 30 m repeated sprint protocol on Study Day 1.

• Thirty-Second Muscle Reoxygenation

  30 seconds after completion of the repeated sprint protocol.

• Muscle Reoxygenation Rate

  During the first 30 seconds after completion of the repeated sprint protocol.

Study Arms (1)

Repeated Sprint Exercise Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants complete an 8 × 30 m repeated sprint exercise protocol with maximal effort and 25 seconds of active recovery between sprints.

Other: 8 x 30 m Repeated Sprint Exercise

Interventions

8 x 30 m Repeated Sprint Exercise OTHER

Participants perform eight 30-m maximal sprints under field conditions. A 25-second active recovery period consisting of light jogging is provided between consecutive sprints. Before the repeated sprint protocol, participants complete a standardized 10-minute warm-up consisting of low-intensity running, dynamic mobility exercises, and progressive acceleration runs.

Repeated Sprint Exercise Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 26 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Licensed male competitive soccer player
• Age between 18 and 26 years
• Regularly participating in soccer training within a club
• Actively participating in official competitions
• At least 4 years of soccer training experience
• Physically able to complete the repeated sprint protocol
• No acute injury or illness on the measurement day
• Voluntary agreement to participate and provision of written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Acute lower-extremity injury
• Acute illness on the measurement day
• Inability to complete the repeated sprint protocol
• Missing data at any required measurement time point
• Failure to complete the 24-hour follow-up measurements

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Pamukkale University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Pamukkale University Sports Science Research Laboratory

Denizli, Pamukkale, 20000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Officials

• Engin Güneş Atabaş, PhD

  Pamukkale Üniversitesi

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: All participants are assigned to a single study group and complete the same 8 × 30 m repeated sprint exercise protocol. Physiological, muscle oxygenation, cardiac autonomic, and neuromuscular responses are assessed before and at predefined time points after the exercise protocol. No control or comparator group is included.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 28, 2026
• First Posted: August 3, 2026
• Study Start: June 2, 2026
• Primary Completion: June 28, 2026
• Study Completion: June 28, 2026
• Last Updated: August 3, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)