Athletic PerformanceNCT07797920
Effects of Different Sled Loads on Sprint and Neuromuscular Performance in Young Male Football Players: An 8-Week Periodized Field Study
A study testing Resisted Sled Sprint Training in people with Athletic Performance and Neuromuscular Adaptations, run by Bitlis Eren University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The purpose of this 8-week periodized field study is to investigate and compare the acute and chronic effects of three different sled towing loads (10%, 15%, and 20% of body weight [BW]) on sprint performance (5m, 10m, 15m) and neuromuscular characteristics (Squat Jump [SJ], Countermovement Jump [CMJ], Drop Jump [DJ]… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 13 to 14 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Athletic Performance, Neuromuscular Adaptations
- What is being tested?
- Resisted Sled Sprint Training
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 5 Sep 2026to 15 Nov 2026
- 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 13 to 14 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Male football players aged chronologically between 13 and 14 years.
- Minimum of 2 years of active, licensed competitive football experience in a club or academy.
- Regular attendance at scheduled team training sessions.
- Written Informed Consent/Assent signed by both the participant (Child Assent Form) and parent/legal guardian (Parental Consent Form).
- Free of severe lower-limb musculoskeletal injuries (e.g., ligament tears, fractures, meniscus injuries) in the past 6 months.
Who cannot join
- Chronological age <13 or >14 years.
- Presence of chronic, cardiovascular, metabolic, or respiratory conditions (e.g., asthma) that pose risks during high-intensity maximal exercise.
- Regular use of performance-enhancing supplements or medications affecting physiological and neuromuscular responses.
- Absence from more than 10% of prescribed sled training sessions (2 or more sessions out of 16).
- Failure to complete pre- or post-intervention performance testing batteries, or failure to demonstrate maximal effort during testing.
- Concurrent participation in external individual strength, speed, or fitness programs outside the football academy.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Different Sled Towing Loads on Sprint Mechanics, Acceleration, and Neuromuscular Performance in Young Male Football Players: An 8-Week Periodized Field Trial
The purpose of this 8-week periodized field study is to investigate and compare the acute and chronic effects of three different sled towing loads (10%, 15%, and 20% of body weight [BW]) on sprint performance (5m, 10m, 15m) and neuromuscular characteristics (Squat Jump [SJ], Countermovement Jump [CMJ], Drop Jump [DJ], and Reactive Strength Index [RSI]) in trained male youth football players aged 13-14 years. While all other training variables (distance, frequency, volume, and rest intervals) are standardized, this study aims to identify the optimal sled load that enhances acceleration and horizontal force production without compromising running mechanics during a critical pediatric athletic development window.
Read the detailed description
Background and Rationale:
Sprint performance, acceleration capacity, and change of direction speed are key determinants of athletic success in association football. The age period of 13-14 years represents a "critical window of opportunity" characterized by rapid adaptations in neuromuscular control, motor unit recruitment, and myelination. Resisted sprint methods, particularly sled towing, allow athletes to overload horizontal force production at sprint-specific joint angles without altering overall running kinematics. However, there is a methodological gap in the literature regarding the optimal and safe acute load prescription (%BW) for pediatric and youth populations.
Study Design and Methodology:
This study is an 8-week, parallel-group randomized controlled field trial involving 30 licensed male youth football players. Participants are randomly allocated into three homogeneous intervention groups using a stratified block randomization method based on baseline 15-meter sprint performance:
Light Load Group: Sled towing with 10% Body Weight (BW)
Moderate Load Group: Sled towing with 15% Body Weight (BW)
Heavy Load Group: Sled towing with 20% Body Weight (BW)
Training Protocol:
Sled sprint training sessions will be conducted twice per week (minimum 48 hours of recovery between sessions) over 8 weeks (16 total sessions) at the beginning of regular football practice, immediately following a standardized 15-18 minute warm-up protocol. Running distance (15 meters per repetition), inter-repetition rest (2 minutes), and inter-set rest (3 minutes) will be held constant across all groups. Training progression will be achieved through gradual volume increases:
Weeks 1-2: 2 sets × 3 reps (90 m/session)
Weeks 3-4: 2 sets × 4 reps (120 m/session)
Weeks 5-6: 3 sets × 3 reps (135 m/session)
Weeks 7-8: 3 sets × 4 reps (180 m/session)
Outcome Assessments:
Baseline (pre-test) and post-intervention (post-test) evaluations will be conducted on non-fatigued days. Primary outcome measures include:
Sprint Performance: Linear sprint times over 5m, 10m, and 15m measured using a high-precision wireless photocell timing system.
Neuromuscular Performance: Vertical jump heights (cm) assessed via Squat Jump (SJ) and Countermovement Jump (CMJ) tests on a digital contact mat/force platform.
Reactive Strength: Drop Jump (DJ) test from a 30 cm box to calculate the Reactive Strength Index (RSI = jump height / contact time).
- Conditions
- Athletic Performance, Neuromuscular Adaptations
- Being tested
- Resisted Sled Sprint Training
- Keywords
- Sled towing, Resisted sprint training, Youth football, Neuromuscular performance, Reactive Strength Index, Acceleration
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Resisted Sled Sprint TrainingOther
Also called Sled Towing
An 8-week periodized resisted sprint training protocol using weighted sleds. Sessions are performed twice weekly over a 15-meter sprint distance, immediately following a standardized warm-up. Participants are assigned to sled towing loads equivalent to 10%, 15%, or 20% of their individual body weight (BW). Training volume progresses systematically from 2 sets of 3 repetitions (Weeks 1-2) to 3 sets of 4 repetitions (Weeks 7-8) with 2 minutes of inter-repetition rest and 3 minutes of inter-set rest.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Light Sled Load Group (10% BW) | Experimental | Participants perform resisted sprint training using a sled loaded with 10% of their individual body weight (BW). Training is performed 2 sessions/week for 8 weeks (16 sessions) over 15 meters with standardized progression (2-3 sets, 3-4 reps, 2 min inter-repitition rest, 3 min inter-set rest). Receives: Other: Resisted Sled Sprint Training |
| Moderate Sled Load Group (15% BW) | Experimental | Participants perform resisted sprint training using a sled loaded with 15% of their individual body weight (BW). Training is performed 2 sessions/week for 8 weeks (16 sessions) over 15 meters with standardized progression (2-3 sets, 3-4 reps, 2 min inter-repitition rest, 3 min inter-set rest). Receives: Other: Resisted Sled Sprint Training |
| Heavy Sled Load Group (20% BW) | Experimental | Participants perform resisted sprint training using a sled loaded with 20% of their individual body weight (BW). Training is performed 2 sessions/week for 8 weeks (16 sessions) over 15 meters with standardized progression (2-3 sets, 3-4 reps, 2 min inter-repitition rest, 3 min inter-set rest). Receives: Other: Resisted Sled Sprint Training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Linear Sprint Performance (5m, 10m, and 15m Sprint Times)
Linear sprint performance measured over 5 meters (acceleration), 10 meters, and 15 meters using a high-precision wireless photocell timing system. Times are measured in seconds (s), where lower values indicate better sprint performance.
Measured: Baseline (Pre-test) and 8 weeks (Post-test)
Squat Jump (SJ) Height
Lower-limb concentric explosive power output measured via Squat Jump test on a digital contact mat/force platform. Surcharge from arm swing is isolated by keeping hands on hips. Jump height is measured in centimeters (cm), where higher values indicate greater explosive power output.
Measured: Baseline (Pre-test) and 8 weeks (Post-test)
Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Height
Stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) performance and lower-limb reactive power measured via Countermovement Jump test on a digital contact mat/force platform. Jump height is recorded in centimeters (cm), where higher values represent superior vertical jump capacity.
Measured: Baseline (Pre-test) and 8 weeks (Post-test)
Reactive Strength Index (RSI)
Reactive strength capacity and neuromuscular stiffness assessed via Drop Jump (DJ) test from a 30 cm box. Calculated as jump height (meters) divided by ground contact time (seconds) [RSI = Jump Height (m) / Contact Time (s)]. Higher index scores reflect better reactive strength and shorter contact time.
Measured: Baseline (Pre-test) and 8 weeks (Post-test)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted1 Sep 2026
- Study start5 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion15 Nov 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Athletic PerformanceStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Model description
- A parallel-group, randomized experimental field design with three active intervention groups (10% BW, 15% BW, and 20% BW sled towing loads). Participants are stratified and allocated into homogeneous groups based on baseline 15-meter sprint performance. All groups receive their respective resisted sprint protocols twice weekly over an 8-week period while maintaining identical overall external training volume, sprint distance (15 m), and rest intervals.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Bitlis Eren University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Muhammed Zahit Kahraman, Bitlis Eren University
- Investigators
- Muhammed Z Kahraman, PhD, Principal investigator, Bitlis Eren University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07797920
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- BEU-ANT-MZK-01
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 1 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared publicly to protect the privacy and confidentiality of minor participants (youth athletes aged 13-14), in accordance with the informed consent procedures approved by the institutional ethics committee and national data protection regulations. Aggregate study results and statistical summaries will be made available through peer-reviewed scientific publications.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Different Sled Towing Loads on Sprint Mechanics, Acceleration, and Neuromuscular Performance in Young Male Football Players: An 8-Week Periodized Field Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07797920
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- BEU-ANT-MZK-01
- Conditions
- Athletic Performance, Neuromuscular Adaptations
- Keywords
- Sled towing, Resisted sprint training, Youth football, Neuromuscular performance, Reactive Strength Index, Acceleration
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Bitlis Eren UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 5 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 Oct 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 15 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 1 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this 8-week periodized field study is to investigate and compare the acute and chronic effects of three different sled towing loads (10%, 15%, and 20% of body weight [BW]) on sprint performance (5m, 10m, 15m) and neuromuscular characteristics (Squat Jump [SJ], Countermovement Jump [CMJ], Drop Jump [DJ], and Reactive Strength Index [RSI]) in trained male youth football players aged 13-14 years. While all other training variables (distance, frequency, volume, and rest intervals) are standardized, this study aims to identify the optimal sled load that enhances acceleration and horizontal force production without compromising running mechanics during a critical pediatric athletic development window.
Detailed description
Background and Rationale:
Sprint performance, acceleration capacity, and change of direction speed are key determinants of athletic success in association football. The age period of 13-14 years represents a "critical window of opportunity" characterized by rapid adaptations in neuromuscular control, motor unit recruitment, and myelination. Resisted sprint methods, particularly sled towing, allow athletes to overload horizontal force production at sprint-specific joint angles without altering overall running kinematics. However, there is a methodological gap in the literature regarding the optimal and safe acute load prescription (%BW) for pediatric and youth populations.
Study Design and Methodology:
This study is an 8-week, parallel-group randomized controlled field trial involving 30 licensed male youth football players. Participants are randomly allocated into three homogeneous intervention groups using a stratified block randomization method based on baseline 15-meter sprint performance:
Light Load Group: Sled towing with 10% Body Weight (BW)
Moderate Load Group: Sled towing with 15% Body Weight (BW)
Heavy Load Group: Sled towing with 20% Body Weight (BW)
Training Protocol:
Sled sprint training sessions will be conducted twice per week (minimum 48 hours of recovery between sessions) over 8 weeks (16 total sessions) at the beginning of regular football practice, immediately following a standardized 15-18 minute warm-up protocol. Running distance (15 meters per repetition), inter-repetition rest (2 minutes), and inter-set rest (3 minutes) will be held constant across all groups. Training progression will be achieved through gradual volume increases:
Weeks 1-2: 2 sets × 3 reps (90 m/session)
Weeks 3-4: 2 sets × 4 reps (120 m/session)
Weeks 5-6: 3 sets × 3 reps (135 m/session)
Weeks 7-8: 3 sets × 4 reps (180 m/session)
Outcome Assessments:
Baseline (pre-test) and post-intervention (post-test) evaluations will be conducted on non-fatigued days. Primary outcome measures include:
Sprint Performance: Linear sprint times over 5m, 10m, and 15m measured using a high-precision wireless photocell timing system.
Neuromuscular Performance: Vertical jump heights (cm) assessed via Squat Jump (SJ) and Countermovement Jump (CMJ) tests on a digital contact mat/force platform.
Reactive Strength: Drop Jump (DJ) test from a 30 cm box to calculate the Reactive Strength Index (RSI = jump height / contact time).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- A parallel-group, randomized experimental field design with three active intervention groups (10% BW, 15% BW, and 20% BW sled towing loads). Participants are stratified and allocated into homogeneous groups based on baseline 15-meter sprint performance. All groups receive their respective resisted sprint protocols twice weekly over an 8-week period while maintaining identical overall external training volume, sprint distance (15 m), and rest intervals.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Light Sled Load Group (10% BW) | Experimental | Other: Resisted Sled Sprint TrainingParticipants perform resisted sprint training using a sled loaded with 10% of their individual body weight (BW). Training is performed 2 sessions/week for 8 weeks (16 sessions) over 15 meters with standardized progression (2-3 sets, 3-4 reps, 2 min inter-repitition rest, 3 min inter-set rest). |
| Moderate Sled Load Group (15% BW) | Experimental | Other: Resisted Sled Sprint TrainingParticipants perform resisted sprint training using a sled loaded with 15% of their individual body weight (BW). Training is performed 2 sessions/week for 8 weeks (16 sessions) over 15 meters with standardized progression (2-3 sets, 3-4 reps, 2 min inter-repitition rest, 3 min inter-set rest). |
| Heavy Sled Load Group (20% BW) | Experimental | Other: Resisted Sled Sprint TrainingParticipants perform resisted sprint training using a sled loaded with 20% of their individual body weight (BW). Training is performed 2 sessions/week for 8 weeks (16 sessions) over 15 meters with standardized progression (2-3 sets, 3-4 reps, 2 min inter-repitition rest, 3 min inter-set rest). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 13 to 14 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Male football players aged chronologically between 13 and 14 years.
- Minimum of 2 years of active, licensed competitive football experience in a club or academy.
- Regular attendance at scheduled team training sessions.
- Written Informed Consent/Assent signed by both the participant (Child Assent Form) and parent/legal guardian (Parental Consent Form).
- Free of severe lower-limb musculoskeletal injuries (e.g., ligament tears, fractures, meniscus injuries) in the past 6 months.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Chronological age <13 or >14 years.
- Presence of chronic, cardiovascular, metabolic, or respiratory conditions (e.g., asthma) that pose risks during high-intensity maximal exercise.
- Regular use of performance-enhancing supplements or medications affecting physiological and neuromuscular responses.
- Absence from more than 10% of prescribed sled training sessions (2 or more sessions out of 16).
- Failure to complete pre- or post-intervention performance testing batteries, or failure to demonstrate maximal effort during testing.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Resisted Sled Sprint TrainingAlso: Sled TowingAn 8-week periodized resisted sprint training protocol using weighted sleds. Sessions are performed twice weekly over a 15-meter sprint distance, immediately following a standardized warm-up. Participants are assigned to sled towing loads equivalent to 10%, 15%, or 20% of their individual body weight (BW). Training volume progresses systematically from 2 sets of 3 repetitions (Weeks 1-2) to 3 sets of 4 repetitions (Weeks 7-8) with 2 minutes of inter-repetition rest and 3 minutes of inter-set rest. | Other | Heavy Sled Load Group (20% BW), Light Sled Load Group (10% BW), Moderate Sled Load Group (15% BW) |
Primary outcome
Linear Sprint Performance (5m, 10m, and 15m Sprint Times)
Time frame: Baseline (Pre-test) and 8 weeks (Post-test)
Linear sprint performance measured over 5 meters (acceleration), 10 meters, and 15 meters using a high-precision wireless photocell timing system. Times are measured in seconds (s), where lower values indicate better sprint performance.
Squat Jump (SJ) Height
Time frame: Baseline (Pre-test) and 8 weeks (Post-test)
Lower-limb concentric explosive power output measured via Squat Jump test on a digital contact mat/force platform. Surcharge from arm swing is isolated by keeping hands on hips. Jump height is measured in centimeters (cm), where higher values indicate greater explosive power output.
Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Height
Time frame: Baseline (Pre-test) and 8 weeks (Post-test)
Stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) performance and lower-limb reactive power measured via Countermovement Jump test on a digital contact mat/force platform. Jump height is recorded in centimeters (cm), where higher values represent superior vertical jump capacity.
Reactive Strength Index (RSI)
Time frame: Baseline (Pre-test) and 8 weeks (Post-test)
Reactive strength capacity and neuromuscular stiffness assessed via Drop Jump (DJ) test from a 30 cm box. Calculated as jump height (meters) divided by ground contact time (seconds) [RSI = Jump Height (m) / Contact Time (s)]. Higher index scores reflect better reactive strength and shorter contact time.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 Sep 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared publicly to protect the privacy and confidentiality of minor participants (youth athletes aged 13-14), in accordance with the informed consent procedures approved by the institutional ethics committee and national data protection regulations. Aggregate study results and statistical summaries will be made available through peer-reviewed scientific publications.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Muhammed Z Kahraman, PhD principal investigator
Bitlis Eren University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Resisted Sled Sprint Training in people with Athletic Performance and Neuromuscular Adaptations, run by Bitlis Eren University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 6 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 1 Sep 2026. 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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 Muhammed Z Kahraman, PhD (00904342220000 ext. 8113, mzkahraman@beu.edu.tr), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Linear Sprint Performance (5m, 10m, and 15m Sprint Times) (time frame: Baseline (Pre-test) and 8 weeks (Post-test)). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 1 Sep 2026.