AzTrials
AzTrials

AdolescentNCT07017049

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

A study testing Integrative Neuromuscular Training and Routine training intervention in people with Adolescent and Healthy Volunteers (HV), run by Xinrui Zhang at 1 site in China.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
Search all trials

Trial 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. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 16 to 18 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
Integrative Neuromuscular Training and Routine training intervention
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
70 participants
Where
1 siteChina
Study dates
20 Jun 2025to 20 Oct 2025
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 16 to 18 years
  • Men only
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Child, Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Male high school football players aged between 16 to 18 years
  • Regular participation in football training without prior structured neuromuscular warm-up training experience within the last 12 months
  • Physically healthy and capable of performing all required tests
  • Voluntary consent to participate in all assessments and training sessions
  • Clear understanding of the objectives and procedures of the study

Who cannot join

  • History of significant musculoskeletal injuries (e.g., knee, ankle, or hip injuries) within the previous year
  • Presence of current health conditions or medication use that might interfere with physical performance or muscular activity
  • Any neurological disorders or chronic health issues that could impact participation in training or assessment
  • Previous experience with structured neuromuscular warm-up training within the last year
  • Uncertainty regarding the ability to consistently attend and complete the training due to personal or external factors

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

China1 site
  • Shandong Jigang Senior High School,46 Sangyuan Rd, Licheng District, Jinan, Jinan, Shandong, China, 250100

    Jinan, Shandong, 43400

    Xusheng Zhou, 86+15725124970, 446001402@qq.com

Other trials in China

About this study

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.

Read the detailed description

Integrative Neuromuscular Training (INT) is a comprehensive and multi-faceted training model that integrates strength, agility, balance, core stability, and proprioception. In recent years, the application of INT has gained increasing attention among youth athletes due to its effectiveness in enhancing physical fitness and athletic performance. Studies have shown that INT not only improves fitness parameters but also plays a significant role in injury prevention.

International research has demonstrated the widespread use of INT in sports such as basketball, volleyball, and swimming. These studies highlight that INT significantly enhances lower limb strength, dynamic balance, speed, and agility.

However, in China, particularly among high school male soccer players, research on INT remains limited. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the effects of a 12-week INT program on physical fitness (including strength, speed, endurance, and flexibility), balance (both static and dynamic), and dribbling skills in high school male soccer players in Shandong Province. The objective is to provide scientific evidence and empirical data to support the integration of INT into youth soccer training programs in China.

The study will recruit 60 male high school soccer players, aged 16-18, from two high schools in Jinan, Shandong. Participants must have at least two years of soccer training experience and be in good health, with no chronic conditions or injuries affecting performance. Those with a history of severe sports injuries or currently undergoing rehabilitation or medical treatment will be excluded. The participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group, with 30 players in each.

The research will span approximately 16 weeks. The first two weeks will involve pre-testing, equipment calibration, and baseline measurements. Weeks 3 to 14 will be the intervention period, during which the experimental group will undergo INT three times per week, while the control group will continue with their regular soccer training. In the final two weeks, post-tests and data analysis will be conducted.

Physical fitness will be assessed through tests such as squat strength, standing long jump, Yo-Yo endurance test, 10m and 20m sprints, Illinois agility test, and sit-and-reach flexibility. Balance will be evaluated using the Y-Balance test and single-leg eyes-closed stance. Soccer-specific skills will be measured using 20m straight-line dribbling and zig-zag dribbling tests. Data will be analyzed using SPSS 26.0, including descriptive statistics (mean ± standard deviation), between-group comparisons using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE), and repeated measures ANOVA to assess changes over time.

Being tested
Integrative Neuromuscular Training, Routine training intervention
Keywords
integrative neuromuscular training, football players, adolescent, physical fitness, drilling

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Integrative Neuromuscular TrainingBehavioural

    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 interventionBehavioural

    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 groups in NCT07017049
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
integrative neuromuscular trainingExperimentalParticipants in this arm will complete a 12-week integrative neuromuscular training (INT) program, 3 times per week, 1 hour per session. The program includes progressive balance, strength, plyometric, speed, agility, and coordination exercises. Weeks 1-2 focus on threshold training (55-65% HRmax), including single-leg balance, box jumps (30 cm), squats, and sprints. Weeks 3-5 increase intensity (65-75% HRmax) with BOSU balance, loaded jumps, lunges, and agility drills. Weeks 6-8 and 9-12 emphasize high-threshold training (70-85% HRmax), with BOSU dynamic balance, 50 cm jumps, triangle and square jumps, Bulgarian squats, sprints, and shuttle runs with ball handling. Rest: 30-60 sec between sets.
Receives: Behavioral: Integrative Neuromuscular Training
Routine training interventionActive comparatorParticipants 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 pe
Receives: Behavioral: Routine training intervention

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Physical fitness (Sprint Speed) in high school football players

    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.

    Measured: baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12

  2. Physical fitness (muscle strength) in high school football players

    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).

    Measured: baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12

  3. Physical fitness (explosive power) in high school football players

    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).

    Measured: baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12

  4. Physical fitness (Agility) in high school football players

    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.

    Measured: baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12

  5. Physical fitness (Flexibility) in high school football players

    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.

    Measured: baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12

  6. Dribbling performance in high school football players

    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.

    Measured: baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12

  7. Anthropometric (height) in high school football players

    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.

    Measured: baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12

  8. Anthropometric (weight) in high school football players

    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.

    Measured: baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12

  9. Anthropometric (Body Mass Index) in high school football players

    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).

    Measured: baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted12 Jun 2025
  2. Study start20 Jun 2025 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion20 Sep 2025 (estimated)
  4. Study completion20 Oct 2025 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Other
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
70 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07017049
Sponsor's protocol ID
2024065
Status last verified
Jun 2025
First submitted
30 Apr 2025
Last updated
12 Jun 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: The individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared due to privacy concerns and ethical considerations, as the participants are minors. Data sharing may pose a risk to participant confidentiality, and there is no consent obtained for public data sharing.

Publications

  • Xiong J, Li S, Cao A, Qian L, Peng B, Xiao D. Effects of integrative neuromuscular training intervention on physical performance in elite female table tennis players: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One. 2022 Jan 20;17(1):e0262775. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262775. eCollection 2022.

    PubMed 35051233
  • Hammami R, Negra Y, Nebigh A, Ramirez-Campillo R, Moran J, Chaabene H. Preseason Integrative Neuromuscular Training Improves Selected Measures of Physical Fitness in Highly Trained, Youth, Male Soccer Players. J Strength Cond Res. 2023 Jun 1;37(6):e384-e390. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004394. Epub 2022 Nov 30.

    PubMed 37235541

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Integrative Neuromuscular Training and Routine training intervention in people with Adolescent and Healthy Volunteers (HV), run by Xinrui Zhang at 1 site in China.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 Jun 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Xinrui Zhang (86+15169002571, zxinrui0419@163.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Physical fitness (Sprint Speed) in high school football players (time frame: baseline, after 6 weeks of intervention, and post-intervention at week 12). The study lists 9 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07017049, which also lists 2 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 12 Jun 2025.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in