Effects of Integrative Neuromuscular Traning on Physical Fitness and Dribbling Performance Among High School Male Football Players in Shandong, China

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Integrative Neuromuscular Training: Participants will receive a 12-week Integrative Neuromuscular Training (INT) program, conducted 3 times per week, each session lasting 1 hour. The intervention includes progressive exercises targeting balance, strength, plyometrics, speed, agility, and coordination. Training intensity increases from 55-65% HRmax in weeks 1-2, to 65-75% HRmax in weeks 3-5, and 70-85% HRmax in weeks 6-12. Exercises include single-leg balance, BOSU balance, box jumps (30-50 cm), lateral jumps, squats, Nordic hamstring exercises, sprints (20-30m), shuttle runs, and agility drills. Rest between sets is 30-60 seconds.

Routine training intervention: Participants in the control group will follow the standard physical training program of the school over a 12-week period, with sessions conducted 3 times per week, each lasting approximately 50 minutes (including warm-up and cool-down). The training intensity will progressively increase from 55%-65% HRmax in weeks 1-3, 65%-75% HRmax in weeks 4-8, and 75%-85% HRmax in weeks 9-12. Each session includes: Warm-up (10 minutes): Movement of hands and legs, small-sided games, ball handling, and stretching exercises. Intervention (30 minutes): Weeks 1-3: Barbell back squat, barbell deadlift, bench press, continuous broad jumps, continuous burpee jumps, frontal plank (60 sec), 50m sprinting (5 reps), 2 sets of each exercise with 30-60 seconds rest. Weeks 4-5: Similar structure with increased repetitions (barbell exercises 6-10 reps, plank 70 sec). Weeks 6-8: Barbell back squat, deadlift, bench press, broad jumps, each for 3 sets, 30-60 sec rest. Weeks 9-12: Higher load with 8-12 reps per

Study summary

This study investigates the effects of a 12-week Integrative Neuromuscular Training (INT) program on physical fitness, balance, and dribbling skills in male high school soccer players in Shandong, China. INT, which combines strength, agility, balance, core stability, and proprioception, has been shown internationally to enhance athletic performance and prevent injuries among youth athletes. While widely applied in sports like basketball, volleyball, and swimming abroad, research on INT in Chinese male soccer players remains limited.

A total of 60 male soccer players (aged 16-18) with at least two years of training experience will be recruited from two high schools in Jinan and divided equally into experimental and control groups. The experimental group will undergo INT three times per week for 12 weeks, while the control group will continue regular soccer training. The study will measure changes in strength, speed, endurance, flexibility, static and dynamic balance, and dribbling performance. Data collection spans 16 weeks, including pre-tests, intervention, and post-tests. Statistical analysis will be conducted using SPSS 26.0, employing descriptive statistics, GEE models, and repeated measures ANOVA. This research aims to provide scientific evidence for the use of INT in youth soccer training in China.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Physical fitness (Sprint Speed) in high school football players — baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12
  Sprint speed was measured as the time (in seconds) to complete a 10-meter sprint from a standing start on a standard track, using a digital stopwatch. The best time from two attempts was recorded.
• Physical fitness (muscle strength) in high school football players — baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12
  Lower limb muscle strength was measured by the maximum load lifted in a back squat using a standard barbell and weight plates. The results are reported in kilograms (kg), with participants performing up to their one-repetition maximum (1RM).
• Physical fitness (explosive power) in high school football players — baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12
  Explosive power was measured by the height of a countermovement jump (CMJ) using a jump mat or force platform. The highest jump from two attempts was recorded in centimeters (cm).
• Physical fitness (Agility) in high school football players — baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12
  Agility was assessed by timing how long participants took to complete the Illinois Agility Test course, measured in seconds. The test was conducted on a standard layout with electronic timing gates.
• Physical fitness (Flexibility) in high school football players — baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12
  Flexibility was measured by the Sit-and-Reach Test using a standard sit-and-reach box. The maximum reach distance was recorded in centimeters (cm), with the best of two attempts used for analysis.
• Dribbling performance in high school football players — baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12
  Dribbling agility was measured using the Illinois Agility Test while dribbling a football. Time to complete the course was recorded in seconds using electronic timing gates.
• Anthropometric (height) in high school football players — baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12
  Height was measured using a standard stadiometer, with results given in centimeters (cm) accurate to 0.1 cm. Participants stood barefoot with heels together for the measurement.
• Anthropometric (weight) in high school football players — baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12
  Weight was measured using a calibrated electronic scale, with results given in kilograms (kg) accurate to 0.1 kg. Participants wore light clothing and no shoes.
• Anthropometric (Body Mass Index) in high school football players — baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12
  Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters (kg/m²). Weight was measured using a digital scale (accurate to 0.1 kg), and height was measured with a stadiometer (accurate to 0.1 cm).

Trial sites (1)

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