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NCT Number: NCT07331623

Comparative Effects of Moderate Intensity Circuit Training and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training in Soccer Players

This study will compare the effects of Moderate-Intensity Circuit Training (MICT) and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) on Heart rate recovery, VO₂ max, power, and agility in 40 male soccer players aged 18-25. Participants will be randomly assigned to either group, with two 45-minute sessions per week over 8 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will include heart rate recovery, VO₂ max, 5 Jump Test, and T-Test for agility. Statistical analyses will compare within- and between-group changes using paired t-tests and ANOVA. The goal is to determine which training method is more effective for enhancing athletic performance.

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Key information

Conditions

Sports Physical Therapy

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Model Town Sports club

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

About this study

Study design: Randomized clinical trial Sample Size: To be calculated

Inclusion criteria

  • Male soccer players aged 18-35 years.
  • Players with at least two years of competitive soccer experience and are in practice season.
  • Players with a body mass index (BMI) within the range of 18.5 to 30 kg/m².
  • Availability to attend all training sessions and assessments.

Exclusion criteria

  • Participants with medical conditions that contraindicate exercise.
  • Athletes currently involved in other Moderate-Intensity continuous training programs.
  • Presence of cardiovascular, neuromuscular, orthopedic, or neurologic conditions.
  • Individuals who have undergone any surgery in the past six months.
  • Those who do not provide written informed consent.
  • Players taking any nutritional supplements, drugs, nicotine and alcohol.
  • Athletes with known sleep disorders.

Sampling Technique:

Non probability purposive sampling technique.

Tools:

  • Heart Rate Recovery (HRR) Assessment
  • VO2 Max - Multistage Fitness Test (MSFT)
  • Power Assessment: 5 Jump Test
  • Agility Assessment: T-Test

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Male soccer players aged 18-35 years.
  • Players with at least two years of competitive soccer experience and are in practice season.
  • Players with a body mass index (BMI) within the range of 18.5 to 30 kg/m².
  • Availability to attend all training sessions and assessments

Exclusion criteria

  • Participants with medical conditions that contraindicate exercise.
  • Athletes currently involved in other Moderate-Intensity continuous training programs.
  • Presence of cardiovascular, neuromuscular, orthopedic, or neurologic conditions.
  • Individuals who have undergone any surgery in the past six months.
  • Those who do not provide written informed consent.
  • Players taking any nutritional supplements, drugs, nicotine and alcohol.

Treatment and study plan

Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training

Other

Group A: Experimental Group (MICT)

Frequency: 2 times/week Duration: 45 minutes/session

Structure:

Warm-Up (10 minutes): Stationary Marching, Toe Touches, Leg/Arm Swings, Rotations, Push-Ups, Lunges, Bodyweight Squats.

Primary Exercise (25 minutes):

MICT Protocol: 8 sets of 4 minutes each (20s all-out effort, 10s rest) at 60-70% of HRmax.

Exercises: Forward Lunges, Jump Squats, Burpees, Spider Crawls, Planks, Mountain Climbers, Ab Crunches. (At moderate intensity and controlled pace) Cool-Down (10 minutes): Static Stretching (Hamstring, Quad, Shoulder, Child's Pose).

Moderate-Intensity Circuit Training

Other

Group B: Contrast Group (Circuit Training of Moderate intensity)

Frequency: 2 times/week Duration: 45 minutes/session

Structure:

Warm-Up (10 minutes): Same as Group A.

Primary Exercise (25 minutes):

Circuit: 30s per exercise, 15s rest, 3 sets with 45s rest between sets. Exercises: Jump Rope, Butterfly Sit-Ups, Hurdle Hop, Push-Ups, Jack-Knife, Squats, Inverse Sit-Ups.

Cool-Down (10 minutes): Same as Group A.

Primary outcomes

  1. Heart Rate Recovery

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    Heart Rate Recovery (HRR) measures how quickly the heart rate decreases after exercise, reflecting cardiovascular efficiency. Participants perform a 5-minute warm-up followed by a 3-minute step test using a 16.25-inch bench at a pace of 96 beats per minute. After completing the test, participants stand still, and heart rate is measured at the carotid pulse exactly 60 seconds post-exercise using a pulse oximeter. HRR is calculated as the difference between peak heart rate during exercise and heart rate after one minute. This test is used to assess cardiovascular recovery responses in soccer players following different training methods.

  2. VO2 Max - Multistage Fitness Test (MSFT)

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    VO₂max represents aerobic capacity and overall cardiovascular fitness. It is estimated using the Multistage Fitness Test conducted on a 20-meter shuttle course. Participants run back and forth between two markers, starting at 8.5 km/h, with speed increasing by 0.5 km/h each minute, guided by audio beeps. The test ends when participants can no longer maintain the required pace. VO₂max is calculated using a standardized formula based on total running time, age, and number of shuttles completed, allowing comparison of aerobic capacity between training groups.

  3. Power Assessment: 5 Jump Test

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    The 5 Jump Test assesses lower-body explosive power. Athletes begin behind a starting line and perform five continuous forward jumps, landing on both feet and immediately rebounding into the next jump without pausing. The total distance covered from the starting line to the final landing point is measured in centimeters. Adequate rest is provided between trials to ensure consistency. This test evaluates lower-limb power, which is essential for soccer performance.

  4. 4. Agility Assessment: T-Test

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    The T-Test measures agility by assessing rapid acceleration, deceleration, and directional changes. Cones are set in a T-shaped layout, with participants sprinting forward, shuffling laterally to both sides, and sprinting back to the start. Time is recorded from the initial movement to crossing the finish line. Lower completion times indicate better agility. This test is widely used to evaluate movement efficiency in soccer players.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparative Effects of Moderate Intensity Circuit Training and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Heart Rate Recovery, VO2 Max, Power and Agility in Soccer Players

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jan 12, 2026
Registry last updated
Jan 12, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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