Effects of Small-Sided Games and Repeated Sprint Training in Young Soccer Players

NCT07807618 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: BEU-ANT-MZK-03
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of 6-week Small-Sided Games (SSG) and Repeated Sprint Training (RST) on body composition, anaerobic power, and selected physical performance qualities in young male soccer players. A total of 24 active male soccer players (aged 16 to 20 years) participating in the Regional Amateur League were randomly assigned into three equal groups: Small-Sided Games Group (SSGG) completing a 4 vs. 4 transition possession game 3 days a week in addition to routine training, Repeated Sprint Training Group (RSTG) completing a 20-meter maximal repeated sprint protocol 3 days a week in addition to routine training, and Control Group (CG) continuing only their routine soccer practice schedule. Before and after the 6-week intervention, participants underwent laboratory and field testing to evaluate body composition (body fat percentage, fat-free mass, BMI), acceleration and maximal speed (10m and 20m sprint tests), agility (Illinois Agility Test), explosive lower-body power (countermovement jump), and maximal anaerobic power (30-second Wingate test) to determine which specific training method provides superior athletic adaptations.

Conditions

Athletic Performance; Physical Fitness

Keywords

Soccer; Small-Sided Games; Repeated Sprint Training; Anaerobic Power; Body Composition; Agility

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• 10-Meter Sprint Time

  Measured using a wireless photocell timing gate system (Smart Speed Lite) to evaluate short-distance acceleration. The best time of two trials was recorded in seconds.

  Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 6)

• 20-Meter Sprint Time

  Measured using a wireless photocell timing gate system (Smart Speed Lite) to evaluate maximal linear speed. The best time of two trials was recorded in seconds.

  Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 6)

• Illinois Agility Test Time

  Evaluated using electronic photocell gates to assess change-of-direction ability and reactivity on a 10x5 meter course. The best time of two trials was recorded in seconds.

  Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 6)

• Countermovement Jump Height

  Lower-body explosive power was measured using a jump mat system (Smart Speed Lite Smart Jump). Participants performed maximal vertical jumps with hands on hips. The best height of two trials was recorded in centimeters.

  Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 6)

• Wingate Peak Power

  Maximal anaerobic power evaluated via a 30-second Wingate Anaerobic Test on a Monark 834 E bicycle ergometer with a load equal to 7.5% of body weight. Expressed in Watts per kilogram (W/kg).

  Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 6)

• Wingate Mean Power

  Anaerobic capacity evaluated via a 30-second Wingate test. Expressed in Watts per kilogram (W/kg).

  Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 6)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Body Fat Percentage

  Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 6)

• Fat-Free Mass

  Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 6)

• Body Mass Index

  Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 6)

Study Arms (3)

Small-Sided Games Group (SSGG)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants performed a 4 vs. 4 directional possession game ("4v4 Transition Possession") in addition to their routine soccer training, 3 days per week for 6 weeks.

Behavioral: Small-Sided Games Protocol; Behavioral: Routine Soccer Training

Repeated Sprint Training Group (RSTG)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants performed a 20-meter repeated sprint training protocol (100% maximal effort, 20s active rest between repetitions, 3-4 min rest between sets) in addition to their routine soccer training, 3 days per week for 6 weeks.

Behavioral: Repeated Sprint Protocol; Behavioral: Routine Soccer Training

Control Group (Routine Soccer Training)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants engaged exclusively in their regular team soccer training sessions (technical, tactical, and conditioning drills) 3 days per week for 6 weeks, without any additional specialized sprint or small-sided game interventions.

Behavioral: Routine Soccer Training

Interventions

Small-Sided Games Protocol BEHAVIORAL

4 vs. 4 transition possession game played 3 days/week for 6 weeks. Loading progressed from 3 sets x 3 min (weeks 1-2) to 4 sets x 3 min (weeks 3-4) and 4 sets x 4 min (weeks 5-6), with 2 min rest between sets.

Small-Sided Games Group (SSGG)

Repeated Sprint Protocol BEHAVIORAL

20-meter linear repeated sprints at 100% maximal effort 3 days/week for 6 weeks. Loading progressed from 2 sets x 6 reps (weeks 1-2) to 2 sets x 8 reps (weeks 3-4) and 3 sets x 6 reps (weeks 5-6), with 20s active recovery between reps and 3-4 min rest between sets.

Repeated Sprint Training Group (RSTG)

Routine Soccer Training BEHAVIORAL

Standard technical, tactical, and physical conditioning soccer training sessions directed by the team's head coach.

Control Group (Routine Soccer Training); Repeated Sprint Training Group (RSTG); Small-Sided Games Group (SSGG)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 16 Years - 20 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Active male soccer players competing in the Regional Amateur League (BAL)
• Age between 16 and 20 years
• Voluntary participation with signed informed consent (and parental consent for minors)
• No history of severe musculoskeletal injuries or orthopedic surgeries in the lower extremities within the past 6 months
• Regular participation in team soccer practices

You may not qualify if:

• Missing more than 10% of the scheduled training sessions during the 6-week intervention
• Occurrence of any acute musculoskeletal injury or illness preventing full participation in tests or training
• Simultaneous participation in external structured strength or conditioning programs outside the study protocol
• Failure to complete all pre- or post-intervention performance tests

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bitlis Eren University: lead
• Muş Alparslan University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Football Facilities of the Mus Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports / Mus Alparslan University Exercise Physiology Laboratory

Muş, Central, 49100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Officials

• Muhammed Z Kahraman, PhD

  Bitlis Eren University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Model Details: A three-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial design. Participants were randomly allocated into three equal parallel groups: Small-Sided Games Group (n=8), Repeated Sprint Training Group (n=8), and Control Group (n=8).

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 2, 2026
• First Posted: September 8, 2026
• Study Start: January 12, 2026
• Primary Completion: February 28, 2026
• Study Completion: June 11, 2026
• Last Updated: September 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)