Sports Physical TherapyNCT07331623
Comparative Effects of Moderate Intensity Circuit Training and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training in Soccer Players
A study testing Moderate-intensity continuous Training and Moderate-Intensity Circuit Training in people with Sports Physical Therapy, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
This study will compare the effects of Moderate-Intensity Circuit Training (MICT) and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) on Heart rate recovery, VO₂ max, power, and agility in 40 male soccer players aged 18-25. 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
- Sports Physical Therapy
- What is being tested?
- Moderate-intensity continuous Training and Moderate-Intensity Circuit Training
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 56 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 21 Mar 2025to 2 Nov 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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
Who may be able to join
- Male soccer players aged 18-35 years.
- Players with at least two years of competitive soccer experience and are in practice season.
- Players with a body mass index (BMI) within the range of 18.5 to 30 kg/m².
- Availability to attend all training sessions and assessments
Who cannot join
- Participants with medical conditions that contraindicate exercise.
- Athletes currently involved in other Moderate-Intensity continuous training programs.
- Presence of cardiovascular, neuromuscular, orthopedic, or neurologic conditions.
- Individuals who have undergone any surgery in the past six months.
- Those who do not provide written informed consent.
- Players taking any nutritional supplements, drugs, nicotine and alcohol.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Comparative Effects of Moderate Intensity Circuit Training and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Heart Rate Recovery, VO2 Max, Power and Agility in Soccer Players
This study will compare the effects of Moderate-Intensity Circuit Training (MICT) and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) on Heart rate recovery, VO₂ max, power, and agility in 40 male soccer players aged 18-25. Participants will be randomly assigned to either group, with two 45-minute sessions per week over 8 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will include heart rate recovery, VO₂ max, 5 Jump Test, and T-Test for agility. Statistical analyses will compare within- and between-group changes using paired t-tests and ANOVA. The goal is to determine which training method is more effective for enhancing athletic performance.
Read the detailed description
Study design: Randomized clinical trial Sample Size: To be calculated
Inclusion Criteria:
- Male soccer players aged 18-35 years.
- Players with at least two years of competitive soccer experience and are in practice season.
- Players with a body mass index (BMI) within the range of 18.5 to 30 kg/m².
- Availability to attend all training sessions and assessments.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Participants with medical conditions that contraindicate exercise.
- Athletes currently involved in other Moderate-Intensity continuous training programs.
- Presence of cardiovascular, neuromuscular, orthopedic, or neurologic conditions.
- Individuals who have undergone any surgery in the past six months.
- Those who do not provide written informed consent.
- Players taking any nutritional supplements, drugs, nicotine and alcohol.
- Athletes with known sleep disorders.
Sampling Technique:
Non probability purposive sampling technique.
Tools:
- Heart Rate Recovery (HRR) Assessment
- VO2 Max - Multistage Fitness Test (MSFT)
- Power Assessment: 5 Jump Test
- Agility Assessment: T-Test
- Conditions
- Sports Physical Therapy
- Being tested
- Moderate-intensity continuous Training, Moderate-Intensity Circuit Training
- Keywords
- Moderate intensity Circuit Training, Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training, Soccer players
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Moderate-intensity continuous TrainingOther
Group A: Experimental Group (MICT)
Frequency: 2 times/week Duration: 45 minutes/session
Structure:
Warm-Up (10 minutes): Stationary Marching, Toe Touches, Leg/Arm Swings, Rotations, Push-Ups, Lunges, Bodyweight Squats.
Primary Exercise (25 minutes):
MICT Protocol: 8 sets of 4 minutes each (20s all-out effort, 10s rest) at 60-70% of HRmax.
Exercises: Forward Lunges, Jump Squats, Burpees, Spider Crawls, Planks, Mountain Climbers, Ab Crunches. (At moderate intensity and controlled pace) Cool-Down (10 minutes): Static Stretching (Hamstring, Quad, Shoulder, Child's Pose).
Moderate-Intensity Circuit TrainingOther
Group B: Contrast Group (Circuit Training of Moderate intensity)
Frequency: 2 times/week Duration: 45 minutes/session
Structure:
Warm-Up (10 minutes): Same as Group A.
Primary Exercise (25 minutes):
Circuit: 30s per exercise, 15s rest, 3 sets with 45s rest between sets. Exercises: Jump Rope, Butterfly Sit-Ups, Hurdle Hop, Push-Ups, Jack-Knife, Squats, Inverse Sit-Ups.
Cool-Down (10 minutes): Same as Group A.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group A (MICT) | Experimental | Group A was administered Moderate-intensity continuous Training protocol along with the baseline warm-up regime Receives: Other: Moderate-intensity continuous Training |
| Group B (MICT-CT) | Experimental | Group B was administered Moderate-intensity circuit training protocol along with the baseline warm-up regime. Receives: Other: Moderate-Intensity Circuit Training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Heart Rate Recovery
Heart Rate Recovery (HRR) measures how quickly the heart rate decreases after exercise, reflecting cardiovascular efficiency. Participants perform a 5-minute warm-up followed by a 3-minute step test using a 16.25-inch bench at a pace of 96 beats per minute. After completing the test, participants stand still, and heart rate is measured at the carotid pulse exactly 60 seconds post-exercise using a pulse oximeter. HRR is calculated as the difference between peak heart rate during exercise and heart rate after one minute. This test is used to assess cardiovascular recovery responses in soccer players following different training methods.
Measured: 8 weeks
VO2 Max - Multistage Fitness Test (MSFT)
VO₂max represents aerobic capacity and overall cardiovascular fitness. It is estimated using the Multistage Fitness Test conducted on a 20-meter shuttle course. Participants run back and forth between two markers, starting at 8.5 km/h, with speed increasing by 0.5 km/h each minute, guided by audio beeps. The test ends when participants can no longer maintain the required pace. VO₂max is calculated using a standardized formula based on total running time, age, and number of shuttles completed, allowing comparison of aerobic capacity between training groups.
Measured: 8 weeks
Power Assessment: 5 Jump Test
The 5 Jump Test assesses lower-body explosive power. Athletes begin behind a starting line and perform five continuous forward jumps, landing on both feet and immediately rebounding into the next jump without pausing. The total distance covered from the starting line to the final landing point is measured in centimeters. Adequate rest is provided between trials to ensure consistency. This test evaluates lower-limb power, which is essential for soccer performance.
Measured: 8 weeks
4. Agility Assessment: T-Test
The T-Test measures agility by assessing rapid acceleration, deceleration, and directional changes. Cones are set in a T-shaped layout, with participants sprinting forward, shuffling laterally to both sides, and sprinting back to the start. Time is recorded from the initial movement to crossing the finish line. Lower completion times indicate better agility. This test is widely used to evaluate movement efficiency in soccer players.
Measured: 8 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted12 Jan 2026
- Study start21 Mar 2025
- Primary completion2 Oct 2025
- Study completion2 Nov 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (5)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Sports Physical TherapyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Riphah International UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Randomized Clinical trial
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 56 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Ammar Hameed, MS SPT, Principal investigator, Riphah International UniversityMaham Riaz, DPT, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07331623
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REC/RCR & AHS/24/0476
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 29 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 12 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Martinho DV, Field A, Rebelo A, Gouveia ER, Sarmento H. A Systematic Review of the Physical, Physiological, Nutritional and Anthropometric Profiles of Soccer Referees. Sports Med Open. 2023 Aug 10;9(1):72. doi: 10.1186/s40798-023-00610-7.
PubMed 37561241Ramos-Campo DJ, Andreu Caravaca L, Martinez-Rodriguez A, Rubio-Arias JA. Effects of Resistance Circuit-Based Training on Body Composition, Strength and Cardiorespiratory Fitness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Biology (Basel). 2021 Apr 28;10(5):377. doi: 10.3390/biology10050377.
PubMed 33924785Atakan MM, Li Y, Kosar SN, Turnagol HH, Yan X. Evidence-Based Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Exercise Capacity and Health: A Review with Historical Perspective. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jul 5;18(13):7201. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18137201.
PubMed 34281138Fang B, Kim Y, Choi M. Effect of Cycle-Based High-Intensity Interval Training and Moderate to Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training in Adolescent Soccer Players. Healthcare (Basel). 2021 Nov 25;9(12):1628. doi: 10.3390/healthcare9121628.
PubMed 34946354McQuilliam SJ, Clark DR, Erskine RM, Brownlee TE. Effect of High-Intensity vs. Moderate-Intensity Resistance Training on Strength, Power, and Muscle Soreness in Male Academy Soccer Players. J Strength Cond Res. 2023 Jun 1;37(6):1250-1258. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004387. Epub 2023 Jan 18.
PubMed 36662035
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 12 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparative Effects of Moderate Intensity Circuit Training and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Heart Rate Recovery, VO2 Max, Power and Agility in Soccer Players
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07331623
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REC/RCR & AHS/24/0476
- Conditions
- Sports Physical Therapy
- Keywords
- Moderate intensity Circuit Training, Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training, Soccer players
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 56 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 21 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 2 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 2 Nov 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 12 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.
This study will compare the effects of Moderate-Intensity Circuit Training (MICT) and Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training (MICT) on Heart rate recovery, VO₂ max, power, and agility in 40 male soccer players aged 18-25. Participants will be randomly assigned to either group, with two 45-minute sessions per week over 8 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will include heart rate recovery, VO₂ max, 5 Jump Test, and T-Test for agility. Statistical analyses will compare within- and between-group changes using paired t-tests and ANOVA. The goal is to determine which training method is more effective for enhancing athletic performance.
Detailed description
Study design: Randomized clinical trial Sample Size: To be calculated
Inclusion Criteria:
- Male soccer players aged 18-35 years.
- Players with at least two years of competitive soccer experience and are in practice season.
- Players with a body mass index (BMI) within the range of 18.5 to 30 kg/m².
- Availability to attend all training sessions and assessments.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Participants with medical conditions that contraindicate exercise.
- Athletes currently involved in other Moderate-Intensity continuous training programs.
- Presence of cardiovascular, neuromuscular, orthopedic, or neurologic conditions.
- Individuals who have undergone any surgery in the past six months.
- Those who do not provide written informed consent.
- Players taking any nutritional supplements, drugs, nicotine and alcohol.
- Athletes with known sleep disorders.
Sampling Technique:
Non probability purposive sampling technique.
Tools:
- Heart Rate Recovery (HRR) Assessment
- VO2 Max - Multistage Fitness Test (MSFT)
- Power Assessment: 5 Jump Test
- Agility Assessment: T-Test
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Randomized Clinical trial
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group A (MICT) | Experimental | Other: Moderate-intensity continuous TrainingGroup A was administered Moderate-intensity continuous Training protocol along with the baseline warm-up regime |
| Group B (MICT-CT) | Experimental | Other: Moderate-Intensity Circuit TrainingGroup B was administered Moderate-intensity circuit training protocol along with the baseline warm-up regime. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Male soccer players aged 18-35 years.
- Players with at least two years of competitive soccer experience and are in practice season.
- Players with a body mass index (BMI) within the range of 18.5 to 30 kg/m².
- Availability to attend all training sessions and assessments
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Participants with medical conditions that contraindicate exercise.
- Athletes currently involved in other Moderate-Intensity continuous training programs.
- Presence of cardiovascular, neuromuscular, orthopedic, or neurologic conditions.
- Individuals who have undergone any surgery in the past six months.
- Those who do not provide written informed consent.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate-intensity continuous TrainingGroup A: Experimental Group (MICT) Frequency: 2 times/week Duration: 45 minutes/session Structure: Warm-Up (10 minutes): Stationary Marching, Toe Touches, Leg/Arm Swings, Rotations, Push-Ups, Lunges, Bodyweight Squats. Primary Exercise (25 minutes): MICT Protocol: 8 sets of 4 minutes each (20s all-out effort, 10s rest) at 60-70% of HRmax. Exercises: Forward Lunges, Jump Squats, Burpees, Spider Crawls, Planks, Mountain Climbers, Ab Crunches. (At moderate intensity and controlled pace) Cool-Down (10 minutes): Static Stretching (Hamstring, Quad, Shoulder, Child's Pose). | Other | Group A (MICT) |
| Moderate-Intensity Circuit TrainingGroup B: Contrast Group (Circuit Training of Moderate intensity) Frequency: 2 times/week Duration: 45 minutes/session Structure: Warm-Up (10 minutes): Same as Group A. Primary Exercise (25 minutes): Circuit: 30s per exercise, 15s rest, 3 sets with 45s rest between sets. Exercises: Jump Rope, Butterfly Sit-Ups, Hurdle Hop, Push-Ups, Jack-Knife, Squats, Inverse Sit-Ups. Cool-Down (10 minutes): Same as Group A. | Other | Group B (MICT-CT) |
Primary outcome
Heart Rate Recovery
Time frame: 8 weeks
Heart Rate Recovery (HRR) measures how quickly the heart rate decreases after exercise, reflecting cardiovascular efficiency. Participants perform a 5-minute warm-up followed by a 3-minute step test using a 16.25-inch bench at a pace of 96 beats per minute. After completing the test, participants stand still, and heart rate is measured at the carotid pulse exactly 60 seconds post-exercise using a pulse oximeter. HRR is calculated as the difference between peak heart rate during exercise and heart rate after one minute. This test is used to assess cardiovascular recovery responses in soccer players following different training methods.
VO2 Max - Multistage Fitness Test (MSFT)
Time frame: 8 weeks
VO₂max represents aerobic capacity and overall cardiovascular fitness. It is estimated using the Multistage Fitness Test conducted on a 20-meter shuttle course. Participants run back and forth between two markers, starting at 8.5 km/h, with speed increasing by 0.5 km/h each minute, guided by audio beeps. The test ends when participants can no longer maintain the required pace. VO₂max is calculated using a standardized formula based on total running time, age, and number of shuttles completed, allowing comparison of aerobic capacity between training groups.
Power Assessment: 5 Jump Test
Time frame: 8 weeks
The 5 Jump Test assesses lower-body explosive power. Athletes begin behind a starting line and perform five continuous forward jumps, landing on both feet and immediately rebounding into the next jump without pausing. The total distance covered from the starting line to the final landing point is measured in centimeters. Adequate rest is provided between trials to ensure consistency. This test evaluates lower-limb power, which is essential for soccer performance.
4. Agility Assessment: T-Test
Time frame: 8 weeks
The T-Test measures agility by assessing rapid acceleration, deceleration, and directional changes. Cones are set in a T-shaped layout, with participants sprinting forward, shuffling laterally to both sides, and sprinting back to the start. Time is recorded from the initial movement to crossing the finish line. Lower completion times indicate better agility. This test is widely used to evaluate movement efficiency in soccer players.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 12 Jan 2026.
- Background: PubMed 37561241Martinho DV, Field A, Rebelo A, Gouveia ER, Sarmento H. A Systematic Review of the Physical, Physiological, Nutritional and Anthropometric Profiles of Soccer Referees. Sports Med Open. 2023 Aug 10;9(1):72. doi: 10.1186/s40798-023-00610-7.
- Background: PubMed 33924785Ramos-Campo DJ, Andreu Caravaca L, Martinez-Rodriguez A, Rubio-Arias JA. Effects of Resistance Circuit-Based Training on Body Composition, Strength and Cardiorespiratory Fitness: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Biology (Basel). 2021 Apr 28;10(5):377. doi: 10.3390/biology10050377.
- Background: PubMed 34281138Atakan MM, Li Y, Kosar SN, Turnagol HH, Yan X. Evidence-Based Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Exercise Capacity and Health: A Review with Historical Perspective. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jul 5;18(13):7201. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18137201.
- Background: PubMed 34946354Fang B, Kim Y, Choi M. Effect of Cycle-Based High-Intensity Interval Training and Moderate to Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training in Adolescent Soccer Players. Healthcare (Basel). 2021 Nov 25;9(12):1628. doi: 10.3390/healthcare9121628.
- Background: PubMed 36662035McQuilliam SJ, Clark DR, Erskine RM, Brownlee TE. Effect of High-Intensity vs. Moderate-Intensity Resistance Training on Strength, Power, and Muscle Soreness in Male Academy Soccer Players. J Strength Cond Res. 2023 Jun 1;37(6):1250-1258. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004387. Epub 2023 Jan 18.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Ammar Hameed, MS SPT principal investigator
Riphah International University
Maham Riaz, DPT principal investigator
Riphah International 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 Moderate-intensity continuous Training and Moderate-Intensity Circuit Training in people with Sports Physical Therapy, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
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 4 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 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 Pakistan. 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
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?
Heart Rate Recovery (time frame: 8 weeks). 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?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07331623, which also lists 5 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 Jan 2026.