NCT07310251

Conventional Warm-up on Physical Performance in Children Soccer Players

Effect of Conventional Warm-up Regarding to Stretching Warm-up on Physical Performance in Children Soccer Players

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Universidad Católica del Maule · Academic / Other
• Sex: Male
• Age: 8 Years – 13 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Considering the importance of an optimal warm-up to enhance performance in key soccer-related variables such as jump height, sprint speed, and ball kicking velocity, most available evidence to date has focused on youth and adult players, with limited studies conducted in children. Therefore, this study aimed to assess and compare the effects of a conventional warm-up and warm-ups including static stretching condition (SSC), dynamic stretching condition (DSC), and ball-specific condition (BSC) on jump performance countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), and drop jump (DJ) as well as on curve sprint speed, the Illinois change of direction test (ICODT), and ball kicking speed in male child soccer players. We hypothesized that the dynamic stretching warm-up would produce superior performance across most variables compared with the other conditions, due to its potential benefits for neuromuscular activation and optimization of the stretch shortening cycle.

Detailed description

This randomized crossover trial will investigate the acute effects of four different warm-up protocols on the physical performance of youth soccer players. Participants will complete four warm-up conditions in random order: (i) conventional warm-up (CC), without flexibility exercises; (ii) static stretching condition (ESE); (iii) dynamic stretching condition (EDD); and (iv) ballistic stretching condition (ESC). Each condition will be separated by a 72-hour rest period. After each warm-up, participants will undergo jump performance assessments including countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), and drop jump (DJ), corner sprint speed, agility using the Illinois Change of Direction Test (ICODT), and striking velocity with their dominant and non-dominant legs. Anthropometric measurements (height, body mass, and BMI) will be obtained according to ISAK standards. Warm-up protocols will be standardized to 10 minutes and their intensity will be adjusted using the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale, progressing from moderate intensity (3-5 points) to vigorous intensity (6-8 points). Data normality will be verified using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and differences between conditions will be analyzed using a one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc correction. Effect sizes will be calculated using Cohen's d, with statistical significance at p \< 0.05. This study will aim to determine which warm-up method most effectively improves key soccer performance variables (jumping ability, sprinting, agility, and striking speed) in children, providing evidence for optimizing pre-competition routines in youth soccer.

Conditions

• Children Soccer Players

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	conventional warm-up regarding to stretching warm-up	The warm-up protocol was based on the guidelines of a previous study conducted on adolescent players in Chile. The CC performed a traditional soccer warm-up for 10 minutes, consisting of 4 minutes of jogging in different directions at moderate to vigorous intensities, measured using the 10-point perceived exertion scale (RPE) scale, starting between 3 and 5 points and ending between 6 and 8 points, followed by movements performed in matches (jumps, ball kicks, changes of direction) distributed in three sets of 60 seconds each with a 60-second rest between sets. This condition did not include flexibility exercises. The SSC consisted of a warm-up with static stretching for 10 minutes. Four stretching exercises were performed, one for each lower body muscle group (quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings, and triceps surae), distributed in two sets of 30 seconds each with a 45-second rest per exercise, performing progressive increases in joint range of

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-02-26
• Primary completion: 2026-05-18
• Completion: 2026-08-20
• First posted: 2025-12-30
• Last updated: 2025-12-30

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Chile