This study focuses on understanding the cardiovascular and endocrine responses of young soccer players aged 14 to 18 years to a muscular training program. Adolescence is a critical period for physiological development, and investigating these responses can provide insights crucial for athletic performance and overall health. The benefits include promoting overall health, reducing injury risk, and enhancing scientific knowledge. However, intensive training programs may lead to overtraining and potential negative health outcomes if not carefully monitored. The study aims to assess whether additional neuromuscular development over 12 weeks can enhance players' physical fitness and hormonal changes. By examining these outcomes, the study seeks to inform evidence-based training protocols for optimizing adolescent athletes' health and performance in soccer. The study design involves a prospective single-center randomized cohort to investigate these responses comprehensively.
In this study, participants aged 14 to 18, who are part of an elite football team in Fribourg, Switzerland, are randomly assigned to either a control group or an intervention group (N=30, with 15 participants in each group). The control group undergoes regular football training, while the intervention group additionally participates in a 12-week neuromuscular development program. Before and after the intervention, various measurements are taken for each participant, including blood steroid profile, heart rate variability, lung function (VO2 max with lactate), body composition using the Inbody 770 machine, and muscular strength. The control group exclusively engages in regular football training throughout the study duration.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
neuromuscular programm during 12 weeks (3 times a week, 10 minutes each time)
VO2 max, lactate
The study aims to examine the effects of a 12-week supplemental muscle program on cardiopulmonary exercise testing, focusing on key metrics such as maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max in mL/kg/min with capillary lactate measurement in mmol/L)
Time frame: Before the start of the 12-week muscular training program (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 12-week intervention (post-intervention).
Heart rate variability
The study aims to examine the effects of a 12-week supplemental muscle program on cardiopulmonary exercise testing, focusing on key metrics such as heart rate variability (HRV in ms).
Time frame: Before the start of the 12-week muscular training program (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 12-week intervention (post-intervention).
Body composition
The study aims to examine the effects of a 12-week supplemental muscle program on cardiopulmonary exercise testing, focusing on key metrics such as body composition (percentage of body fat, muscle mass in kg). Height will be measured in centimeters (cm) and weight in kilograms (kg) to calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI) in kg/m²
Time frame: Before the start of the 12-week muscular training program (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 12-week intervention (post-intervention).
Hormonal changes: Cortisol
The study includes a secondary endpoint involving the measurement of cortisol levels (in μg/dL) before and after the muscular training program. These measurements offer valuable insights into the endocrine adaptations induced by the training regimen. By analyzing changes in cortisol levels, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the hormonal milieu associated with muscle development, recovery, and overall physiological balance.
Time frame: Before the start of the 12-week muscular training program (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 12-week intervention (post-intervention).
Hormonal changes: Testosterone
The study includes a secondary endpoint involving the measurement of testosterone levels (in ng/dL) before and after the muscular training program. These measurements offer valuable insights into the endocrine adaptations induced by the training regimen. By analyzing changes in testosterone levels, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of the hormonal milieu associated with muscle development, recovery, and overall physiological balance.
Time frame: Before the start of the 12-week muscular training program (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 12-week intervention (post-intervention).
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