Respiratory FunctionNCT07617116
Respiratory Function and Athletic Performance in Professional Soccer Players
An observational study of Respiratory Function and Respiratory Muscle Strength, run by Istinye University.
Trial summary
This prospective observational study aims to investigate the relationship between respiratory function and multidimensional athletic performance parameters in professional soccer players. 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
- Respiratory Function, Respiratory Muscle Strength, Athletic Performance
- What is being tested?
- Respiratory and Athletic Performance Assessments
- How many people
- 31 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 25 May 2026to 10 Jul 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: The study population will consist of elite-level athletic professionals, specifically young adult male professional soccer players. Participants will be recruited from a licensed professional football club actively competing in national league training and competition schedules.
Who may be able to join
- Participants will be actively competing, licensed professional soccer players. -Participants will be engaged in regular, team-based training and competitive match schedules.
- Participants will voluntarily provide written informed consent before any study-related physical performance assessments are conducted.
Who cannot join
- Participants will be excluded if they present with an acute upper or lower respiratory tract infection that could potentially affect pulmonary function or maximal respiratory muscle performance.
- Participants will be excluded if they have a documented history of major cardiothoracic surgery.
- Participants will be excluded if they have any diagnosed respiratory and/or cardiovascular disorder associated with dyspnea or impaired pulmonary mechanics.
- Participants will be excluded if they present with any condition that elevates clinical risk during maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure assessments.
- Participants will be excluded if they have sustained an acute musculoskeletal injury within the preceding 6 weeks that could compromise maximal physical exertion during sport-specific performance testing.
About this study
Official title: Association Between Respiratory Function and Athletic Performance Parameters in Professional Soccer Players: A Cross-Sectional Study
This prospective observational study aims to investigate the relationship between respiratory function and multidimensional athletic performance parameters in professional soccer players. The primary hypothesis of the study is that soccer players with enhanced respiratory function and superior respiratory muscle strength will exhibit optimized motor performance outcomes and shorter (faster) reactive reaction times. Investigators will evaluate respiratory muscle strength, spirometric pulmonary functions, dynamic balance, core and abdominal endurance, and reactive visuomotor reaction times during a single testing session within the competitive season.
Read the detailed description
Professional soccer players from Istanbulspor A.S. Football Club will be screened and enrolled based on strict eligibility criteria. Eligible athletes will undergo a comprehensive, single-session testing protocol designed to prevent fatigue-related bias. Testing will commence with a baseline pulmonary function assessment and respiratory muscle strength evaluation (maximal inspiratory pressure [MIP] and maximal expiratory pressure [MEP]). Following a standardized rest interval, dynamic balance will be quantified using the Y-Balance Test (YBT). Subsequently, reactive visuomotor reaction times will be measured using the wireless BlazePod LED system. Finally, participants will execute higher-intensity, sport-specific performance assessments, including the isometric plank test for core endurance, a 60-second timed sit-up test for abdominal muscular endurance, and the T-drill test for agility. A standardized 10-minute seated rest interval will be strictly enforced between all physical assessments to ensure full physiological recovery. Bivariate correlation models will be utilized to analyze the direct relationships between respiratory indicators and performance indices.
- Being tested
- Respiratory and Athletic Performance Assessments
- Medical subject headings
- Respiratory Aspiration
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Respiratory and Athletic Performance AssessmentsOther
Participants will not receive any experimental clinical intervention as part of this observational study. Instead, they will undergo standard, non-invasive physiological and athletic performance screenings during their competitive season. These assessments will include digital respiratory pressure manometry to evaluate maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, computerized spirometry to measure pulmonary functions, the Y-Balance Test for dynamic postural stability, the BlazePod wireless LED system for reactive visuomotor reaction times, and sport-specific field tests (isometric plank, 60-second sit-up, and T-drill agility tests) to evaluate core endurance and agility. All measurements will be completed during a single testing session following standardized recovery intervals.
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP)
Description: Respiratory muscle strength will be assessed using a portable digital respiratory pressure meter. Participants will execute a maximal expiratory maneuver from total lung capacity after full inspiration while wearing a nose clip. The highest reproducible value from at least three technically acceptable trials will be recorded in centimeters of water (cmH₂O).
Measured: 2 hours
Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP)
Description: Respiratory muscle strength will be assessed using a portable digital respiratory pressure meter. Participants will perform a maximal inspiratory maneuver from residual volume following complete expiration while wearing a nose clip. The highest reproducible value from at least three technically acceptable trials will be recorded in centimeters of water (cmH₂O).
Measured: 2 hour
Reactive Visuomotor Reaction Time
Cognitive-motor reaction speed will be quantified using a wireless LED pod system arrayed in an equidistant semi-circular matrix. Participants will utilize their dominant lower limb to deactivate randomly illuminated pods as quickly as possible across 10 sets of 22 randomized stimuli. The mean reaction time across the challenge will be recorded in milliseconds (ms).
Measured: 2 hours
Dynamic Postural Stability (Y-Balance Test)
Functional reach capacity and dynamic balance will be quantified using a standardized Y-Balance Test apparatus. While maintaining a single-leg stance, participants will push indicator blocks in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions. The maximum reach distance from three successful trials for each direction will be normalized to leg length and used to calculate a comprehensive Composite Score percentage (%) for both limbs.
Measured: 2 hours
Static Core Stabilization Endurance (Prone Plank Test)
Isometric core endurance will be quantified using the isometric prone plank test on a high-density mat. Participants will support their body weight exclusively on their forearms and toes, maintaining a strict neutral horizontal alignment of the head, spine, hips, and ankles. The test will be terminated when the participant voluntarily discontinues or fails to maintain correct alignment. Total duration will be recorded in seconds (sec).
Measured: 2 hours
Secondary outcomes (5)
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
Pulmonary function will be evaluated using a computerized spirometry system in accordance with ATS/ERS guidelines. Participants will perform a maximal inspiratory effort followed by a rapid and forceful expiration sustained until complete exhalation. The highest reproducible value will be expressed both as an absolute volume in liters (L) and as a percentage of predicted reference values (FVC%).
Measured: 2 hours
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1%)
Pulmonary function will be evaluated using a computerized spirometry system in accordance with ATS/ERS guidelines. The volume of air exhaled during the first second of the FVC maneuver will be extracted. The highest reproducible value will be expressed both as an absolute volume in liters (L) and as a percentage of predicted reference values (FEV1%).
Measured: 2 hours
Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)
Pulmonary function will be evaluated using a computerized spirometry system in accordance with ATS/ERS guidelines. The maximum flow rate achieved during the forced expiratory maneuver will be measured. The highest reproducible value will be expressed in liters per second (L/s) and as a percentage of predicted reference values (PEF%).
Measured: 2 hours
Dynamic Abdominal Endurance (60-Second Sit-Up Test)
Dynamic muscular endurance of the abdominal wall will be evaluated using a timed sit-up protocol. From a supine position with knees flexed at 90° and hands crossed over the chest, participants will flex the trunk until the elbows touch the knees, then return to the baseline position. The total number of correctly executed repetitions completed within exactly 1 minute (reps) will be recorded.
Measured: 2 hours
Change-of-Direction Speed and Agility (T-Drill Test)
On-field agility and change-of-direction speed will be quantified using a standardized T-configuration cone course monitored by electronic timing gates. Participants will perform forward sprinting, lateral side-shuffling, and backpedaling maneuvers through the course. The fastest completion time out of three successful trials will be recorded in seconds (sec).
Measured: 2 hours
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted1 Jun 2026
- Study start25 May 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion5 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion10 Jul 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Respiratory FunctionStudies 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
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 31 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istinye University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Yunus Emre Tutuneken, Istinye University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07617116
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 22
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 23 May 2026
- Last updated
- 1 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Association Between Respiratory Function and Athletic Performance Parameters in Professional Soccer Players: A Cross-Sectional Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07617116
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 22
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 31 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Istinye UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 25 May 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 5 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 10 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 1 Jun 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 prospective observational study aims to investigate the relationship between respiratory function and multidimensional athletic performance parameters in professional soccer players. The primary hypothesis of the study is that soccer players with enhanced respiratory function and superior respiratory muscle strength will exhibit optimized motor performance outcomes and shorter (faster) reactive reaction times. Investigators will evaluate respiratory muscle strength, spirometric pulmonary functions, dynamic balance, core and abdominal endurance, and reactive visuomotor reaction times during a single testing session within the competitive season.
Detailed description
Professional soccer players from Istanbulspor A.S. Football Club will be screened and enrolled based on strict eligibility criteria. Eligible athletes will undergo a comprehensive, single-session testing protocol designed to prevent fatigue-related bias. Testing will commence with a baseline pulmonary function assessment and respiratory muscle strength evaluation (maximal inspiratory pressure [MIP] and maximal expiratory pressure [MEP]). Following a standardized rest interval, dynamic balance will be quantified using the Y-Balance Test (YBT). Subsequently, reactive visuomotor reaction times will be measured using the wireless BlazePod LED system. Finally, participants will execute higher-intensity, sport-specific performance assessments, including the isometric plank test for core endurance, a 60-second timed sit-up test for abdominal muscular endurance, and the T-drill test for agility. A standardized 10-minute seated rest interval will be strictly enforced between all physical assessments to ensure full physiological recovery. Bivariate correlation models will be utilized to analyze the direct relationships between respiratory indicators and performance indices.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- The study population will consist of elite-level athletic professionals, specifically young adult male professional soccer players. Participants will be recruited from a licensed professional football club actively competing in national league training and competition schedules.
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Participants will be actively competing, licensed professional soccer players. -Participants will be engaged in regular, team-based training and competitive match schedules.
- Participants will voluntarily provide written informed consent before any study-related physical performance assessments are conducted.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Participants will be excluded if they present with an acute upper or lower respiratory tract infection that could potentially affect pulmonary function or maximal respiratory muscle performance.
- Participants will be excluded if they have a documented history of major cardiothoracic surgery.
- Participants will be excluded if they have any diagnosed respiratory and/or cardiovascular disorder associated with dyspnea or impaired pulmonary mechanics.
- Participants will be excluded if they present with any condition that elevates clinical risk during maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure assessments.
- Participants will be excluded if they have sustained an acute musculoskeletal injury within the preceding 6 weeks that could compromise maximal physical exertion during sport-specific performance testing.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Respiratory and Athletic Performance AssessmentsParticipants will not receive any experimental clinical intervention as part of this observational study. Instead, they will undergo standard, non-invasive physiological and athletic performance screenings during their competitive season. These assessments will include digital respiratory pressure manometry to evaluate maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, computerized spirometry to measure pulmonary functions, the Y-Balance Test for dynamic postural stability, the BlazePod wireless LED system for reactive visuomotor reaction times, and sport-specific field tests (isometric plank, 60-second sit-up, and T-drill agility tests) to evaluate core endurance and agility. All measurements will be completed during a single testing session following standardized recovery intervals. | Other | – |
Primary outcome
Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP)
Time frame: 2 hours
Description: Respiratory muscle strength will be assessed using a portable digital respiratory pressure meter. Participants will execute a maximal expiratory maneuver from total lung capacity after full inspiration while wearing a nose clip. The highest reproducible value from at least three technically acceptable trials will be recorded in centimeters of water (cmH₂O).
Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP)
Time frame: 2 hour
Description: Respiratory muscle strength will be assessed using a portable digital respiratory pressure meter. Participants will perform a maximal inspiratory maneuver from residual volume following complete expiration while wearing a nose clip. The highest reproducible value from at least three technically acceptable trials will be recorded in centimeters of water (cmH₂O).
Reactive Visuomotor Reaction Time
Time frame: 2 hours
Cognitive-motor reaction speed will be quantified using a wireless LED pod system arrayed in an equidistant semi-circular matrix. Participants will utilize their dominant lower limb to deactivate randomly illuminated pods as quickly as possible across 10 sets of 22 randomized stimuli. The mean reaction time across the challenge will be recorded in milliseconds (ms).
Dynamic Postural Stability (Y-Balance Test)
Time frame: 2 hours
Functional reach capacity and dynamic balance will be quantified using a standardized Y-Balance Test apparatus. While maintaining a single-leg stance, participants will push indicator blocks in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions. The maximum reach distance from three successful trials for each direction will be normalized to leg length and used to calculate a comprehensive Composite Score percentage (%) for both limbs.
Static Core Stabilization Endurance (Prone Plank Test)
Time frame: 2 hours
Isometric core endurance will be quantified using the isometric prone plank test on a high-density mat. Participants will support their body weight exclusively on their forearms and toes, maintaining a strict neutral horizontal alignment of the head, spine, hips, and ankles. The test will be terminated when the participant voluntarily discontinues or fails to maintain correct alignment. Total duration will be recorded in seconds (sec).
5 secondary outcomes
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
Time frame: 2 hours
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1%)
Time frame: 2 hours
Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)
Time frame: 2 hours
Dynamic Abdominal Endurance (60-Second Sit-Up Test)
Time frame: 2 hours
Change-of-Direction Speed and Agility (T-Drill Test)
Time frame: 2 hours
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 1 Jun 2026.
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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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Respiratory Function and Respiratory Muscle Strength, run by Istinye University.
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 2 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
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?
Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP) (time frame: 2 hours). The study lists 5 primary outcomes in all. 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 1 Jun 2026.