Cognitive-Integrated Soccer Training and Performance

NCT ID: NCT07284940

Last Updated: 2025-12-16

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

43 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-02-15

Study Completion Date

2024-06-27

Brief Summary

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This study aimed to examine the acute effects of integrating cognitive elements into basic soccer dribbling practice on cognitive performance and motor skill learning in adolescents.

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted involving 43 male adolescents, who were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. The experimental group participated in cognitively integrated dribbling practice, while the control group performed traditional cone-based dribbling practice. Each participant completed a single structured practice session lasting approximately 30 minutes.

Cognitive performance was assessed using the Flanker task and the 2-back task, while soccer skill learning was evaluated through standardized dribbling performance tests. All assessments were administered immediately before and after the practice session. The study was designed to compare short-term changes in cognitive and motor outcomes between the two training approaches under controlled conditions.

This trial contributes to understanding how cognitively enriched soccer practice may be structured and evaluated in adolescent populations within physical education and youth sport settings.

Detailed Description

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The purpose of this study was to investigate whether incorporating cognitive elements into basic soccer dribbling drills influences cognitive task performance and motor skill learning in adolescents. Cognitive elements integrated into the practice were designed to engage processes such as attention control, inhibitory control, and working memory during motor execution.

The study employed a randomized controlled design with two parallel groups. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group, which performed cognitively integrated soccer dribbling drills, or a control group, which performed traditional soccer dribbling drills without explicit cognitive engagement. The intervention consisted of a single practice session lasting approximately 30 minutes.

Cognitive performance was evaluated using computerized versions of the Flanker task and the 2-back task. Motor skill learning was assessed using standardized soccer dribbling performance tests. All outcome measures were collected immediately before and after the intervention session to capture acute effects. The study design allows for controlled comparison of cognitive-integrated and traditional practice approaches in an adolescent population.

Conditions

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Executive Function (Cognition) Soccer Training Performance Motor Development

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

OTHER

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Caregivers
Only the coaches delivering the intervention are blinded to group allocation. Participants and outcome assessors are not blinded due to the nature of the intervention.

Study Groups

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Cognitively Engaging Soccer Training

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Cognitively Engaging Soccer Practice

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

This intervention integrates cognitive elements into basic soccer skill practice. Participants engage in 20-minute soccer dribbling sessions that include decision-making tasks, attention control, and working memory challenges embedded within motor actions. For example, players must react to color or number cues while performing dribbling drills. The purpose is to enhance both motor learning and cognitive performance through dual-task engagement.Cognitively Engaging Soccer Practice

Conventional Soccer Training

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Conventional Soccer Practice

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

This intervention consists of traditional soccer dribbling training without added cognitive tasks. Participants perform the same duration and frequency of soccer skill practice (20 minutes) focusing purely on motor performance and technique refinement. No external cognitive demands are introduced.

Interventions

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Cognitively Engaging Soccer Practice

This intervention integrates cognitive elements into basic soccer skill practice. Participants engage in 20-minute soccer dribbling sessions that include decision-making tasks, attention control, and working memory challenges embedded within motor actions. For example, players must react to color or number cues while performing dribbling drills. The purpose is to enhance both motor learning and cognitive performance through dual-task engagement.Cognitively Engaging Soccer Practice

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Conventional Soccer Practice

This intervention consists of traditional soccer dribbling training without added cognitive tasks. Participants perform the same duration and frequency of soccer skill practice (20 minutes) focusing purely on motor performance and technique refinement. No external cognitive demands are introduced.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Male adolescents aged 16-18 years;
* Healthy students with no recent injury affecting movement or physical activity;
* Normal or corrected-to-normal vision;
* Not taking any medication during the study period;
* Soccer novices with no formal or only limited soccer training experience

Exclusion Criteria

* Diagnosed neurological disorders;
* Diagnosed musculoskeletal disorders;
* Use of medications known to affect cognitive function
Minimum Eligible Age

16 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

MALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Fan Mao

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Fan Mao

Clinical Professor

Responsibility Role SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Qingdao University, School of Physical Education

Qingdao, Shandong, China

Site Status

Countries

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China

References

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Alesi M, Bianco A, Padulo J, Luppina G, Petrucci M, Paoli A, Palma A, Pepi A. Motor and cognitive growth following a Football Training Program. Front Psychol. 2015 Oct 27;6:1627. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01627. eCollection 2015.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 26579014 (View on PubMed)

Mao F, Li Z, Qiu C, Fang Q. Developing integrative practice on basic soccer skills to stimulate cognitive promotion for children and adolescents. Front Psychol. 2024 Apr 19;15:1348006. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1348006. eCollection 2024. No abstract available.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 38708011 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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QDU-HEC-2024376

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id