Change of Direction PerformanceUFRT-CODNCT07567677
Flywheel vs Traditional Resistance Training for Change of Direction in Elite Soccer Players
A study testing Flywheel Resistance Training and Traditional Resistance Training in people with Change of Direction Performance and Athletic Performance, run by Beijing Sport University at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to compare the effects of unilateral flywheel resistance training and unilateral traditional resistance training on change-of-direction performance in elite male soccer players. 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
- Change of Direction Performance, Athletic Performance
- What is being tested?
- Flywheel Resistance Training and Traditional Resistance Training
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 22 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 20 Feb 2026to 21 Apr 2026
- 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
- Male elite or sub-elite soccer players aged 18-25 years
- Minimum of 3 years of structured soccer training experience
- Currently participating in regular team training (≥3 sessions per week)
- Free from musculoskeletal injury within the past 3 months
- No prior experience with flywheel resistance training
- Provided written informed consent to participate
Who cannot join
- History of lower-limb surgery within the past 6 months
- Current musculoskeletal pain or injury affecting performance
- Neurological or cardiovascular conditions contraindicating high-intensity exercise
- Participation in additional strength or conditioning programs outside the study
- Inability to complete the full intervention protocol
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effects of Unilateral Flywheel Training and Traditional Resistance Training on Change-of-Direction Performance in Elite Soccer Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to compare the effects of unilateral flywheel resistance training and unilateral traditional resistance training on change-of-direction performance in elite male soccer players.
A total of 22 elite soccer players will be randomly assigned to either a flywheel resistance training group or a traditional resistance training group. Both groups will perform supervised training twice per week for 8 weeks in addition to their regular soccer training.
Read more
Performance outcomes will include linear sprint tests (10 m and 30 m), pre-planned change-of-direction tests (Pro-agility, T-test, Arrowhead test), and agility tests under no-ball and with-ball conditions (AFL agility test).
The primary outcome is change-of-direction performance assessed by the T-test. Secondary outcomes include direction-specific change-of-direction ability and agility performance.
It is hypothesized that unilateral flywheel resistance training will produce greater improvements in change-of-direction performance compared with traditional resistance training, particularly in tasks involving braking and re-acceleration.
Read the detailed description
This study is an exploratory randomized controlled trial designed to investigate the effects of unilateral flywheel resistance training (FRT) compared with unilateral traditional resistance training (TRT) on change-of-direction (COD) performance in elite male soccer players.
Participants are highly trained soccer athletes with at least 8 years of training experience and no recent lower-limb injuries. Following baseline testing, participants are randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either the FRT group or the TRT group.
Both groups perform an 8-week training intervention consisting of two supervised sessions per week. The training exercise is the unilateral Bulgarian split squat, performed with either flywheel inertial resistance (FRT) or barbell loading (TRT). Training volume, frequency, and movement pattern are matched between groups. Load prescription is standardized using mean concentric velocity matching.
Outcome measures are assessed before and after the intervention and include:
- Linear sprint performance (10 m and 30 m)
- Pre-planned change-of-direction performance (Pro-agility test, T-test)
- Direction-specific COD performance (Arrowhead test left and right)
- Agility performance under no-ball and ball conditions (AFL agility test) The primary outcome is T-test performance. Secondary outcomes include Pro-agility, Arrowhead, and AFL agility tests. Exploratory outcomes include linear sprint performance and ball-constrained agility.
The study aims to determine whether eccentric overload provided by flywheel training leads to superior improvements in COD performance compared with traditional resistance training under matched movement conditions.
- Being tested
- Flywheel Resistance Training, Traditional Resistance Training
- Keywords
- soccer players, flywheel training, unilateral resistance training, change-of-direction speed, eccentric overload, agility performance
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Flywheel Resistance TrainingOther
Also called Flywheel training Isoinertial training
Unilateral flywheel resistance training was performed using a Bulgarian split squat exercise on a flywheel device. Participants completed 2 training sessions per week for 8 weeks. Each session consisted of 4 sets of 6 repetitions per leg. The inertial load was individually selected based on mean concentric velocity matching. Participants were instructed to perform the concentric phase explosively and the eccentric phase with maximal braking effort.
Traditional Resistance TrainingOther
Unilateral traditional resistance training was performed using a barbell Bulgarian split squat exercise. Participants trained twice per week for 8 weeks. Each session consisted of 4 sets of 6 repetitions per leg at approximately 80% of one-repetition maximum. Movement tempo was controlled with an explosive concentric phase and a controlled eccentric phase.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Flywheel Resistance Training | Experimental | Participants perform unilateral flywheel resistance training using a Bulgarian split squat exercise twice per week for 8 weeks in addition to regular soccer training. Receives: Other: Flywheel Resistance Training |
| Traditional Resistance Training | Active comparator | Participants perform unilateral traditional resistance training using a barbell Bulgarian split squat exercise twice per week for 8 weeks in addition to regular soccer training. Receives: Other: Traditional Resistance Training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
T-test performance (change in completion time, seconds)
Change in T-test completion time (seconds) from baseline to post-intervention after 8 weeks of training. The T-test assesses multidirectional change-of-direction ability involving forward sprinting, lateral shuffling, and backward running.
Measured: Baseline and Week 8
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 May 2026
- Study start20 Feb 2026
- Primary completion20 Apr 2026
- Study completion21 Apr 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Change of Direction 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
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants are randomly assigned to two parallel groups: a flywheel resistance training group and a traditional resistance training group. Both groups perform the intervention concurrently over 8 weeks, with matched training structure and movement patterns.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 22 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Beijing Sport University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Yue Dou, Beijing Sport University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07567677
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- BSU2025611H-FRTCOD
- Acronym
- UFRT-COD
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 28 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 8 May 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 due to privacy concerns and the limited sample size. Aggregated data will be reported in peer-reviewed publications.
Publications
Han Z, Zhao T, Wen Z, Yang T, Dou Y, Hu J, Zhang B, Ren D. Unilateral flywheel resistance training versus traditional resistance training for change-of-direction performance in elite soccer players: a randomised controlled trial. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Jul 22;18(1):507. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-01909-0.
PubMed 42894197
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effects of Unilateral Flywheel Training and Traditional Resistance Training on Change-of-Direction Performance in Elite Soccer Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07567677
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- UFRT-COD / BSU2025611H-FRTCOD
- Keywords
- soccer players, flywheel training, unilateral resistance training, change-of-direction speed, eccentric overload, agility performance
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 22 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Beijing Sport UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 21 Apr 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 5 May 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 randomized controlled trial is to compare the effects of unilateral flywheel resistance training and unilateral traditional resistance training on change-of-direction performance in elite male soccer players.
A total of 22 elite soccer players will be randomly assigned to either a flywheel resistance training group or a traditional resistance training group. Both groups will perform supervised training twice per week for 8 weeks in addition to their regular soccer training.
Performance outcomes will include linear sprint tests (10 m and 30 m), pre-planned change-of-direction tests (Pro-agility, T-test, Arrowhead test), and agility tests under no-ball and with-ball conditions (AFL agility test).
The primary outcome is change-of-direction performance assessed by the T-test. Secondary outcomes include direction-specific change-of-direction ability and agility performance.
It is hypothesized that unilateral flywheel resistance training will produce greater improvements in change-of-direction performance compared with traditional resistance training, particularly in tasks involving braking and re-acceleration.
Detailed description
This study is an exploratory randomized controlled trial designed to investigate the effects of unilateral flywheel resistance training (FRT) compared with unilateral traditional resistance training (TRT) on change-of-direction (COD) performance in elite male soccer players.
Participants are highly trained soccer athletes with at least 8 years of training experience and no recent lower-limb injuries. Following baseline testing, participants are randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either the FRT group or the TRT group.
Both groups perform an 8-week training intervention consisting of two supervised sessions per week. The training exercise is the unilateral Bulgarian split squat, performed with either flywheel inertial resistance (FRT) or barbell loading (TRT). Training volume, frequency, and movement pattern are matched between groups. Load prescription is standardized using mean concentric velocity matching.
Outcome measures are assessed before and after the intervention and include:
- Linear sprint performance (10 m and 30 m)
- Pre-planned change-of-direction performance (Pro-agility test, T-test)
- Direction-specific COD performance (Arrowhead test left and right)
- Agility performance under no-ball and ball conditions (AFL agility test) The primary outcome is T-test performance. Secondary outcomes include Pro-agility, Arrowhead, and AFL agility tests. Exploratory outcomes include linear sprint performance and ball-constrained agility.
The study aims to determine whether eccentric overload provided by flywheel training leads to superior improvements in COD performance compared with traditional resistance training under matched movement conditions.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants are randomly assigned to two parallel groups: a flywheel resistance training group and a traditional resistance training group. Both groups perform the intervention concurrently over 8 weeks, with matched training structure and movement patterns.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Flywheel Resistance Training | Experimental | Other: Flywheel Resistance TrainingParticipants perform unilateral flywheel resistance training using a Bulgarian split squat exercise twice per week for 8 weeks in addition to regular soccer training. |
| Traditional Resistance Training | Active comparator | Other: Traditional Resistance TrainingParticipants perform unilateral traditional resistance training using a barbell Bulgarian split squat exercise twice per week for 8 weeks in addition to regular soccer training. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Male elite or sub-elite soccer players aged 18-25 years
- Minimum of 3 years of structured soccer training experience
- Currently participating in regular team training (≥3 sessions per week)
- Free from musculoskeletal injury within the past 3 months
- No prior experience with flywheel resistance training
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- History of lower-limb surgery within the past 6 months
- Current musculoskeletal pain or injury affecting performance
- Neurological or cardiovascular conditions contraindicating high-intensity exercise
- Participation in additional strength or conditioning programs outside the study
- Inability to complete the full intervention protocol
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Flywheel Resistance TrainingAlso: Flywheel training Isoinertial trainingUnilateral flywheel resistance training was performed using a Bulgarian split squat exercise on a flywheel device. Participants completed 2 training sessions per week for 8 weeks. Each session consisted of 4 sets of 6 repetitions per leg. The inertial load was individually selected based on mean concentric velocity matching. Participants were instructed to perform the concentric phase explosively and the eccentric phase with maximal braking effort. | Other | Flywheel Resistance Training |
| Traditional Resistance TrainingUnilateral traditional resistance training was performed using a barbell Bulgarian split squat exercise. Participants trained twice per week for 8 weeks. Each session consisted of 4 sets of 6 repetitions per leg at approximately 80% of one-repetition maximum. Movement tempo was controlled with an explosive concentric phase and a controlled eccentric phase. | Other | Traditional Resistance Training |
Primary outcome
T-test performance (change in completion time, seconds)
Time frame: Baseline and Week 8
Change in T-test completion time (seconds) from baseline to post-intervention after 8 weeks of training. The T-test assesses multidirectional change-of-direction ability involving forward sprinting, lateral shuffling, and backward running.
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 8 May 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42894197Han Z, Zhao T, Wen Z, Yang T, Dou Y, Hu J, Zhang B, Ren D. Unilateral flywheel resistance training versus traditional resistance training for change-of-direction performance in elite soccer players: a randomised controlled trial. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Jul 22;18(1):507. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-01909-0.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared due to privacy concerns and the limited sample size. Aggregated data will be reported in peer-reviewed 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. 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?
A study testing Flywheel Resistance Training and Traditional Resistance Training in people with Change of Direction Performance and Athletic Performance, run by Beijing Sport University at 1 site in China.
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 6 inclusion and 5 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 8 May 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 China. 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?
T-test performance (change in completion time, seconds) (time frame: Baseline and Week 8). 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 NCT07567677, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 8 May 2026.