Sports Physical TherapyNCT07331649
Comparative Effects of Modified Tabata Training and Fartlek Training in Amateur Football
A study testing Modified Tabata Training and Fartlek Training in people with Sports Physical Therapy, run by Riphah International University at 1 site in Pakistan.
Trial summary
Background: Football requires players to excel in both high-intensity, fast-paced actions and slower moments of rest, which demand a range of well-developed motor skills, including power, endurance and strength. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 25 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Sports Physical Therapy
- What is being tested?
- Modified Tabata Training and Fartlek Training
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 34 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePakistan
- Study dates
- 21 Nov 2024to 5 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 25 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Young Male football player aged 18-25 years.
- Amateur football players (who are in practice from last 8 months)
- Athletes with BMI 18.5kg/m2 -24.9kg/m2.
- Engages in other physical activities (e.g., gym, running) at least weekly.
- The participants not taking any supplements or steroids.
Who cannot join
- The participants with a history of a severe injury (e.g. ACL tear, fracture ) in the last 6 months.
- History of any lower limb surgery (e.g., ACL reconstruction or any major surgery)
- Any musculoskeletal disorder.
- Chronic respiratory conditions (e.g., COPD, severe asthma) affecting exercise capacity.
- Significant weight fluctuations in the past 3 months.
- Any diagnosed psychological and cardiovascular conditions that could affect participation.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Pakistan1 site
Al Mussadiq Institute of Higher Education
Kharian, Punjab Province
About this study
Official title: Comparative Effects of Modified Tabata Training and Fartlek Training on Strength, Power and Endurance in Amateur Football Players
Background: Football requires players to excel in both high-intensity, fast-paced actions and slower moments of rest, which demand a range of well-developed motor skills, including power, endurance and strength. Endurance enables players to maintain prolonged physical effort without diminishing performance, a necessity given the sport's demand for players to cover 9-14 km per game, with up to 15% of this distance covered in high-intensity sprints. Strength is also crucial, helping players perform actions such as jumping, pushing during sprints, and maintaining stability, all of which enhance performance and resilience on the field. To adapt to the changing physical demands of football, training methods like treadmill sprint training and fartlek training (FT) are commonly used, each with different impacts on physiological development. Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the effects of treadmill sprint training and fartlek training on leg press strength, power and endurance on amateur football players. Methodology: A sample size of 42 football players will be randomly allocated to either fartlek training group or modified Tabata training group. A typical fartlek session begins with a warm-up, followed by intervals of intense effort (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 3, 2 minute hard and moderate runs) with recovery periods (2 minutes) in between, then concludes with a cool-down. This 2, 3, 4, 3, 2 interval set helps athletes improve endurance, strength and power and adapt to varied game-like conditions. The Modified Tabata training Program that will be carried out for 3 sessions per week over 6 weeks is as follows: there will be 3 training sessions in a week. In first two weeks, the 24-minute session will be divided into 6 sets, each set lasting 4 minutes consist of 8 rounds, with a 2-minute rest period between each set. The 4 minute exercise duration will consist of a work-to-rest ratio of 20 seconds of work and 10 seconds of rest. The level of exercise progressively increased throughout the 6-week program, by increasing the set of exercise Outcome measures in the both groups will be assessed by Squats test, Vertical jump test,3-min step up test and Yo-Yo Intermittent recovery test . All these measures will be taken at the baseline and again after 6 weeks of training to assess the effectiveness of the training program and the resulting improvements in strength, power, and endurance.
Read the detailed description
Study design: Randomized clinical trial Sample size: calculated by Epitool is 40 (20 in each group) Sampling technique: Non-probability convenient sampling Study setting Al-Musaddiq Institute of Higher Education, Kharian FG Degree College for Boys, Kharian cantt.
Inclusion:
Young Male football player aged 18-25 years Amateur football players (who are in practice from last 8 months) Athletes with BMI 18.5kg/m2 -24.9kg/m2 The participants not taking any supplements or anabolic steroids Engages in other physical activities (e.g., gym, running) at least weekly. Exclusion The participants with history of a severe injury (e.g. ACL tear, fracture ) in the last 6 months History of any lower limb surgery (e.g., ACL reconstruction or any major surgery) Any musculoskeletal disorder. Chronic respiratory conditions (e.g., COPD, severe asthma) affecting exercise capacity. Significant weight fluctuations in the past 3 months. Any diagnosed psychological and cardiovascular conditions that could affect participation. Tools For strength: squats test (ICC=0.99) For power: Vertical jump test (ICC = 0.968) For endurance: 3-min step up test (ICC = 0.913) , Yo Yo intermittent recovery Test (ICC= between 0.87 and 0.95)
- Conditions
- Sports Physical Therapy
- Being tested
- Modified Tabata Training, Fartlek Training
- Keywords
- Modified Tabata Training, Fartlek Training, Amateur Football Players
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Modified Tabata TrainingOther
The Modified Tabata training Program that will be carried out for 3 sessions per week over 6 weeks is as follows: there will be 3 training sessions in a week. In first two weeks, the 24-minute session will be divided into 6 sets, each set lasting 4 minutes consist of 8 rounds, with a 2-minute rest period between each set. The 4 minute exercise duration will consist of a work-to-rest ratio of 20 seconds of work and 10 seconds of rest
Fartlek TrainingOther
fartlek session begins with a warm-up, followed by intervals of intense effort (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 3, 2 minute hard and moderate runs) with recovery periods (2 minutes) in between, then concludes with a cool-down.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | Experimental | 40 Participants will be in Group A. They will Perform Modified Tabata Training. Receives: Other: Modified Tabata Training |
| Group B | Active comparator | 40 participant will be Group B. They will perform Fartlek Training. Receives: Other: Fartlek Training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Squat Test
The squats test was used to assess the strength of the lower limbs, clearly indicating the players' ability to generate force through their legs, which is crucial for movements such as sprinting and jumping in football.
Measured: 6 weeks
Vertical Jump Test
The vertical jump test was utilized to measure explosive power, an essential component for effective performance in football, as it directly relates to a players ability to jump for headers or evade opponents.
Measured: 6 weeks
3-minute step-up Test
To measure cardiovascular endurance, 3-minute step-up test was used, which evaluates the players' ability to sustain activity over time, reflecting their cardiovascular fitness and stamina on the field.
Measured: 6 weeks
YoYo intermittent recovery Test
To Measure speed Endurance, YoYo intermittent recovery test was used, which evaluate the athlete´s speed endurance, aerobic capacity and fitness level. By completing YoYo intermittent recovery test, players demonstrate their ability to sustain intense physical activity, change direction quickly and maintain speed.
Measured: 6 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 Nov 2024
- Primary completion5 Oct 2025
- Study completion5 Nov 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (6)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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Randomized Clinical Trial
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 34 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Afifa Tariq, Principal investigator, Riphah International University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07331649
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REC/RCR&AHS/24/0495
- 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
Chaouachi A, Brughelli M, Chamari K, Levin GT, Ben Abdelkrim N, Laurencelle L, Castagna C. Lower limb maximal dynamic strength and agility determinants in elite basketball players. J Strength Cond Res. 2009 Aug;23(5):1570-7. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181a4e7f0.
PubMed 19620905Bret C, Rahmani A, Dufour AB, Messonnier L, Lacour JR. Leg strength and stiffness as ability factors in 100 m sprint running. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2002 Sep;42(3):274-81.
PubMed 12094115Hori N, Newton RU, Andrews WA, Kawamori N, McGuigan MR, Nosaka K. Does performance of hang power clean differentiate performance of jumping, sprinting, and changing of direction? J Strength Cond Res. 2008 Mar;22(2):412-8. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e318166052b.
PubMed 18550955Nowak M, Szymanek-Pilarczyk M, Stolarczyk A, Oleksy L, Muracki J, Wasik J. Normative and limit values of speed, endurance and power tests results of young football players. Front Physiol. 2025 Jan 8;15:1502694. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1502694. eCollection 2024.
PubMed 39844899Di Giminiani R, Visca C. Explosive strength and endurance adaptations in young elite soccer players during two soccer seasons. PLoS One. 2017 Feb 13;12(2):e0171734. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171734. eCollection 2017.
PubMed 28192512Modric T, Versic S, Sekulic D. Position Specific Running Performances in Professional Football (Soccer): Influence of Different Tactical Formations. Sports (Basel). 2020 Dec 10;8(12):161. doi: 10.3390/sports8120161.
PubMed 33321874
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 Modified Tabata Training and Fartlek Training on Strength, Power and Endurance in Amateur Football Players
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07331649
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- REC/RCR&AHS/24/0495
- Conditions
- Sports Physical Therapy
- Keywords
- Modified Tabata Training, Fartlek Training, Amateur Football Players
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 34 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Riphah International UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 21 Nov 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 5 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 5 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.
Background: Football requires players to excel in both high-intensity, fast-paced actions and slower moments of rest, which demand a range of well-developed motor skills, including power, endurance and strength. Endurance enables players to maintain prolonged physical effort without diminishing performance, a necessity given the sport's demand for players to cover 9-14 km per game, with up to 15% of this distance covered in high-intensity sprints. Strength is also crucial, helping players perform actions such as jumping, pushing during sprints, and maintaining stability, all of which enhance performance and resilience on the field. To adapt to the changing physical demands of football, training methods like treadmill sprint training and fartlek training (FT) are commonly used, each with different impacts on physiological development. Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the effects of treadmill sprint training and fartlek training on leg press strength, power and endurance on amateur football players. Methodology: A sample size of 42 football players will be randomly allocated to either fartlek training group or modified Tabata training group. A typical fartlek session begins with a warm-up, followed by intervals of intense effort (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 3, 2 minute hard and moderate runs) with recovery periods (2 minutes) in between, then concludes with a cool-down. This 2, 3, 4, 3, 2 interval set helps athletes improve endurance, strength and power and adapt to varied game-like conditions. The Modified Tabata training Program that will be carried out for 3 sessions per week over 6 weeks is as follows: there will be 3 training sessions in a week. In first two weeks, the 24-minute session will be divided into 6 sets, each set lasting 4 minutes consist of 8 rounds, with a 2-minute rest period between each set. The 4 minute exercise duration will consist of a work-to-rest ratio of 20 seconds of work and 10 seconds of rest. The level of exercise progressively increased throughout the 6-week program, by increasing the set of exercise Outcome measures in the both groups will be assessed by Squats test, Vertical jump test,3-min step up test and Yo-Yo Intermittent recovery test . All these measures will be taken at the baseline and again after 6 weeks of training to assess the effectiveness of the training program and the resulting improvements in strength, power, and endurance.
Detailed description
Study design: Randomized clinical trial Sample size: calculated by Epitool is 40 (20 in each group) Sampling technique: Non-probability convenient sampling Study setting Al-Musaddiq Institute of Higher Education, Kharian FG Degree College for Boys, Kharian cantt.
Inclusion:
Young Male football player aged 18-25 years Amateur football players (who are in practice from last 8 months) Athletes with BMI 18.5kg/m2 -24.9kg/m2 The participants not taking any supplements or anabolic steroids Engages in other physical activities (e.g., gym, running) at least weekly. Exclusion The participants with history of a severe injury (e.g. ACL tear, fracture ) in the last 6 months History of any lower limb surgery (e.g., ACL reconstruction or any major surgery) Any musculoskeletal disorder. Chronic respiratory conditions (e.g., COPD, severe asthma) affecting exercise capacity. Significant weight fluctuations in the past 3 months. Any diagnosed psychological and cardiovascular conditions that could affect participation. Tools For strength: squats test (ICC=0.99) For power: Vertical jump test (ICC = 0.968) For endurance: 3-min step up test (ICC = 0.913) , Yo Yo intermittent recovery Test (ICC= between 0.87 and 0.95)
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- 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 | Experimental | Other: Modified Tabata Training40 Participants will be in Group A. They will Perform Modified Tabata Training. |
| Group B | Active comparator | Other: Fartlek Training40 participant will be Group B. They will perform Fartlek Training. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Young Male football player aged 18-25 years.
- Amateur football players (who are in practice from last 8 months)
- Athletes with BMI 18.5kg/m2 -24.9kg/m2.
- Engages in other physical activities (e.g., gym, running) at least weekly.
- The participants not taking any supplements or steroids.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- The participants with a history of a severe injury (e.g. ACL tear, fracture ) in the last 6 months.
- History of any lower limb surgery (e.g., ACL reconstruction or any major surgery)
- Any musculoskeletal disorder.
- Chronic respiratory conditions (e.g., COPD, severe asthma) affecting exercise capacity.
- Significant weight fluctuations in the past 3 months.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Modified Tabata TrainingThe Modified Tabata training Program that will be carried out for 3 sessions per week over 6 weeks is as follows: there will be 3 training sessions in a week. In first two weeks, the 24-minute session will be divided into 6 sets, each set lasting 4 minutes consist of 8 rounds, with a 2-minute rest period between each set. The 4 minute exercise duration will consist of a work-to-rest ratio of 20 seconds of work and 10 seconds of rest | Other | Group A |
| Fartlek Trainingfartlek session begins with a warm-up, followed by intervals of intense effort (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 3, 2 minute hard and moderate runs) with recovery periods (2 minutes) in between, then concludes with a cool-down. | Other | Group B |
Primary outcome
Squat Test
Time frame: 6 weeks
The squats test was used to assess the strength of the lower limbs, clearly indicating the players' ability to generate force through their legs, which is crucial for movements such as sprinting and jumping in football.
Vertical Jump Test
Time frame: 6 weeks
The vertical jump test was utilized to measure explosive power, an essential component for effective performance in football, as it directly relates to a players ability to jump for headers or evade opponents.
3-minute step-up Test
Time frame: 6 weeks
To measure cardiovascular endurance, 3-minute step-up test was used, which evaluates the players' ability to sustain activity over time, reflecting their cardiovascular fitness and stamina on the field.
YoYo intermittent recovery Test
Time frame: 6 weeks
To Measure speed Endurance, YoYo intermittent recovery test was used, which evaluate the athlete´s speed endurance, aerobic capacity and fitness level. By completing YoYo intermittent recovery test, players demonstrate their ability to sustain intense physical activity, change direction quickly and maintain speed.
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 19620905Chaouachi A, Brughelli M, Chamari K, Levin GT, Ben Abdelkrim N, Laurencelle L, Castagna C. Lower limb maximal dynamic strength and agility determinants in elite basketball players. J Strength Cond Res. 2009 Aug;23(5):1570-7. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181a4e7f0.
- Background: PubMed 12094115Bret C, Rahmani A, Dufour AB, Messonnier L, Lacour JR. Leg strength and stiffness as ability factors in 100 m sprint running. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2002 Sep;42(3):274-81.
- Background: PubMed 18550955Hori N, Newton RU, Andrews WA, Kawamori N, McGuigan MR, Nosaka K. Does performance of hang power clean differentiate performance of jumping, sprinting, and changing of direction? J Strength Cond Res. 2008 Mar;22(2):412-8. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e318166052b.
- Background: PubMed 39844899Nowak M, Szymanek-Pilarczyk M, Stolarczyk A, Oleksy L, Muracki J, Wasik J. Normative and limit values of speed, endurance and power tests results of young football players. Front Physiol. 2025 Jan 8;15:1502694. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1502694. eCollection 2024.
- Background: PubMed 28192512Di Giminiani R, Visca C. Explosive strength and endurance adaptations in young elite soccer players during two soccer seasons. PLoS One. 2017 Feb 13;12(2):e0171734. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171734. eCollection 2017.
- Background: PubMed 33321874Modric T, Versic S, Sekulic D. Position Specific Running Performances in Professional Football (Soccer): Influence of Different Tactical Formations. Sports (Basel). 2020 Dec 10;8(12):161. doi: 10.3390/sports8120161.
- 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.
Afifa Tariq 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 Modified Tabata Training and Fartlek 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 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: 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?
Squat Test (time frame: 6 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 NCT07331649, which also lists 6 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.