Clinical Research Directory

Acute Effects of Isometric Conditioning on Sprint, Jump and Change of Direction Performance in Youth Soccer Players

This study aims to examine the acute effects of an isometric conditioning activity on sprinting, jumping, and change-of-direction performance in elite youth soccer players. Twelve male soccer players aged 15-19 years from a professional academy will participate in a randomized crossover study. Each participant will complete two experimental sessions separated by one week. During each session, participants will perform a standardized warm-up followed by baseline performance tests including countermovement jumps, drop jumps, a 30-m sprint test, and a 505 change-of-direction test. After baseline testing, participants will complete one of two conditions in randomized order: (1) an isometric conditioning activity consisting of unilateral standing isometric calf raises, or (2) a control condition consisting of low-intensity treadmill walking. Performance tests will be repeated seven minutes after the intervention to assess acute changes in neuromuscular performance. Jump performance will be assessed using a dual force plate system sampling at 1000 Hz, and sprint performance will be measured using electronic timing gates. The study will be conducted on an indoor athletics runway located in a gymnasium. The results will help determine whether isometric conditioning activities can acutely enhance explosive performance in youth soccer players.

Acute Effects of Kinesiology Taping on Performance in Soccer Players

Kinesiological taping, frequently used today for the prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and to support athlete performance, has become a popular technique in the field of sports science. However, scientific evidence on the short-term effects of this application on athletes is limited. In this context, the aim of this study is to evaluate the acute changes in functional performance parameters such as speed, agility, and explosive power in football players who underwent kinesiological taping. The aim of this study is to examine the acute effects of kinesiological taping on agility, speed, and lower extremity explosive power in football players. Participants aged 14-18 years who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomized into kinesiological tape (n:12) and sham tape (n:12) groups using a closed envelope method. The T-Agility Test will be used for agility, the 30 m Sprint Test for speed, and the Standing Long Jump Test for lower extremity explosive power. All participants will perform agility, speed, and explosive power tests after the same warm-up program. Following the initial assessment, participants will undergo quadriceps muscle technique using kinesiological taping and sham taping by the same physiotherapist. Tests will be repeated immediately after the tapes are applied. The findings are expected to provide information on the potential of kinesiological taping to contribute to short-term performance improvement in soccer players and its effects on preventing sports injuries.

The Effect of a Training Programme in the Variation of Fitness Parameters, Physiological, Hematological and Biochemical Indicators of Soccer Players During the Preseason Period

The goal of this study is to investigate the effects of varying friendly match-play exposure during the late pre-season on physiological, biochemical, and performance adaptations in soccer players. It is hypothesized that (i) significant changes will occur across the pre-season in both the extended- and limited-play groups when analysed independently; (ii) distinct group-specific adaptations will emerge by the end of the preparatory period; and (iii) match-play exposure, when analysed across all participants, will be significantly correlated with physiological and performance outcomes at pre-season completion. Players from a randomly selected team will be assessed at three time points: pre-season start, mid-pre-season (MPS), and pre-competition phase (PC). Assessments will include anthropometry, physical performance, and markers of muscle damage, inflammation, hormonal status, and haematology. Based on the total match-play time of 8 friendly games during the late pre-season, players will be retrospectively categorised into extended-play (EP) and limited-play (LP) cohorts.time of 8 friendly games during the late pre-season, players will be retrospectively categorised into extended-play (EP) and limited-play (LP) cohorts.

Relationship of Anthropometric Profile and Fitness Indicators With Sports Performance of Elite Mexican National Team Soccer Players

Relating Anthropometric Profile to Fitness and Sports Performance in Mexican National Team Soccer Players

Post-activation Performance Enhancement in Soccer Players:

This study will be conducted in a randomised, crossover design. Soccer players will participate in two test sessions 48 hours apart. The athletes will be pre-tested in the professional direction change test and after the PAPE protocol of the group they are included in is applied, they will be taken to the professional direction change test at 15th second, 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th minutes.