Most Demanding PeriodsNCT07321496
The Most Demanding Match Periods: Should GPS Data be Normalized
An observational study of Most Demanding Periods and Sport, run by University of Maia at 1 site in Portugal.
Trial summary
To date, the characterization of Most Demanding Periods (MDPs) in soccer has relied almost exclusively on absolute metrics, suggesting that the peak demands currently reported in the scientific literature are inherently shaped by these fixed thresholds. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Most Demanding Periods, Sport
- What is being tested?
- Assessment of most demanding periods in soccer
- How many people
- 50 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePortugal
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2025to 30 Jan 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- 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 18 to 35 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: Male Soccer players competing at the highest national level, free from injuries during the period of data analysis.
Who may be able to join
- Soccer players competing at the highest national level
Who cannot join
- Injured athletes
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Most Demanding Match Periods: Should GPS Data be Normalized for Performance and Fatigue Monitoring in Soccer?
To date, the characterization of Most Demanding Periods (MDPs) in soccer has relied almost exclusively on absolute metrics, suggesting that the peak demands currently reported in the scientific literature are inherently shaped by these fixed thresholds. This reliance on such absolute metrics may lead to an under- or overestimation of the true relative intensity experienced by each player, thus limiting the accuracy of MDPs interpretation. Therefore, exploring whether normalized thresholds alter the magnitude of MDPs across a range of time windows (1, 3 and 5 minutes) is crucial to better understand how the most demanding passages of match play manifest when player-specific capacities are considered. Consequently, the aim of the present study was to compare the MDPs derived from absolute and normalized thresholds for HSR and sprinting.
- Conditions
- Most Demanding Periods, Sport
- Being tested
- Assessment of most demanding periods in soccer
- Keywords
- soccer, intensity, training load
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Assessment of most demanding periods in soccerOther
The most demanding periods will be compared over 3 different time windows: 1, 3 and 5 minutes. Both High speed running and sprint distances will be observed.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Soccer Players | Soccer players enrolled in the research project Receives: Other: Assessment of most demanding periods in soccer |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Distance covered
Measured: 1 minute, 3 minute, 5 minute
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted7 Jan 2026
- Study start1 Sep 2025
- Primary completion30 Dec 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Jan 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Most Demanding PeriodsStudies 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
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Retrospective
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Maia
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Filipe Silvano Pinto Maia, University of Maia
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07321496
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- MDP_01
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 20 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 7 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Most Demanding Match Periods: Should GPS Data be Normalized for Performance and Fatigue Monitoring in Soccer?
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07321496
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MDP_01
- Conditions
- Most Demanding Periods, Sport
- Keywords
- soccer, intensity, training load
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 50 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of MaiaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Dec 2025 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 7 Jan 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.
To date, the characterization of Most Demanding Periods (MDPs) in soccer has relied almost exclusively on absolute metrics, suggesting that the peak demands currently reported in the scientific literature are inherently shaped by these fixed thresholds. This reliance on such absolute metrics may lead to an under- or overestimation of the true relative intensity experienced by each player, thus limiting the accuracy of MDPs interpretation. Therefore, exploring whether normalized thresholds alter the magnitude of MDPs across a range of time windows (1, 3 and 5 minutes) is crucial to better understand how the most demanding passages of match play manifest when player-specific capacities are considered. Consequently, the aim of the present study was to compare the MDPs derived from absolute and normalized thresholds for HSR and sprinting.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Retrospective
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Soccer Players | – | Other: Assessment of most demanding periods in soccerSoccer players enrolled in the research project |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- Male Soccer players competing at the highest national level, free from injuries during the period of data analysis.
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Soccer players competing at the highest national level
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Injured athletes
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment of most demanding periods in soccerThe most demanding periods will be compared over 3 different time windows: 1, 3 and 5 minutes. Both High speed running and sprint distances will be observed. | Other | Soccer Players |
Primary outcome
Distance covered
Time frame: 1 minute, 3 minute, 5 minute
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 7 Jan 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Most Demanding Periods and Sport, run by University of Maia at 1 site in Portugal.
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 1 inclusion and 1 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: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Jan 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 Portugal. 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?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Distance covered (time frame: 1 minute, 3 minute, 5 minute). 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 7 Jan 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 30 Oct 2026.