Cardiovascular FitnessSAQ-SSGNCT07633210
SAQ Training Versus Small-Sided Games for Cardiovascular Adaptations in Youth Football Players
A study testing SAQ Training and Small-Sided Games Training in people with Cardiovascular Fitness, run by Benha University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the effects of Speed, Agility, and Quickness (SAQ) training and Small-Sided Games (SSGs) on cardiovascular adaptations in youth football players. Thirty-six male youth football players were randomly assigned to an SAQ training group and an SSG group. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 14 to 16 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Cardiovascular Fitness
- What is being tested?
- SAQ Training and Small-Sided Games Training
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 18 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 2 Mar 2026to 27 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 14 to 16 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Male football players aged 14 to 16 years. Minimum of 2 years of organized football training experience. Regular participation in football training at least 3 times per week. Ability to participate in all training sessions and assessments. Written informed consent provided by participants and their parents or legal guardians.
Who cannot join
- Musculoskeletal injury within the previous 3 months. History of cardiovascular disease. Metabolic disorders. Neurological disorders. Use of medications that could affect cardiovascular responses or physical performance.
- Failure to complete the intervention or assessment procedures.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Comparative Effects of Speed, Agility, and Quickness Training and Small-Sided Games on Cardiovascular Response in Youth Football Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the effects of Speed, Agility, and Quickness (SAQ) training and Small-Sided Games (SSGs) on cardiovascular adaptations in youth football players. Thirty-six male youth football players were randomly assigned to an SAQ training group and an SSG group. Participants completed an 8-week intervention program. Cardiovascular outcomes, including resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure, were assessed before and after the intervention. The study evaluated the effectiveness of these training approaches for improving cardiovascular health and physiological adaptations in youth football players.
Read the detailed description
Football training methods may induce different physiological and cardiovascular adaptations in youth athletes. Speed, Agility, and Quickness (SAQ) training is widely used to enhance neuromuscular performance, while Small-Sided Games (SSGs) provide sport-specific training stimuli that combine technical, tactical, and physical demands.
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the effects of SAQ training and SSGs on cardiovascular responses in youth football players. Thirty-six male football players aged 14-16 years were randomly allocated to one of three groups: an SAQ training group, an SSG group, or a control group. The intervention lasted 8 weeks.
Cardiovascular measurements included resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention period. The study investigated whether SAQ training and SSGs produce different cardiovascular adaptations and whether either intervention is superior to regular football training for improving cardiovascular health indicators in youth football players.
This study was conducted in accordance with institutional ethical approval and informed consent procedures.
- Conditions
- Cardiovascular Fitness
- Being tested
- SAQ Training, Small-Sided Games Training
- Keywords
- Cardiovascular Responses
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
SAQ TrainingBehavioural
Participants completed an 8-week Speed, Agility, and Quickness (SAQ) training program designed to improve movement efficiency, agility, acceleration, and cardiovascular adaptations. Training sessions were integrated into the regular football training schedule and were performed throughout the intervention period
Small-Sided Games TrainingBehavioural
Participants completed an 8-week Small-Sided Games (SSG) training program involving soccer-specific game-based exercises performed in reduced playing areas. The intervention was designed to provide technical, tactical, and physiological training stimuli and to promote cardiovascular adaptations.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| SAQ Training Group | Experimental | Participants received the SAQ training intervention for 8 weeks Receives: Behavioral: SAQ Training |
| Small-Sided Games Group | Experimental | Participants received the Small-Sided Games training intervention for 8 weeks Receives: Behavioral: Small-Sided Games Training |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Resting Heart Rate
Resting heart rate measured in beats per minute (bpm)
Measured: Baseline and Week 8
Exercise Heart Rate
Heart rate measured immediately after completion of the 20-meter shuttle run test.
Measured: Baseline and Week 8
Resting Diastolic Blood Pressure
Resting diastolic blood pressure measured in mmHg.
Measured: Baseline and Week 8
Resting Systolic Blood Pressure
Resting systolic blood pressure measured in mmHg.
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 posted8 Jun 2026
- Study start2 Mar 2026
- Primary completion27 Apr 2026
- Study completion27 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 Cardiovascular FitnessStudies 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned to two parallel groups: SAQ training and small-sided games. The intervention lasted 8 weeks.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 18 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Benha University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Sarah Kotb Banawi, Benha University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07633210
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REF:3/26
- Acronym
- SAQ-SSG
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 3 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 8 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Al Sayed M, Meselhy M, Bakr M. Comparative changes in cardiovascular measures following speed, agility, and quickness training and small-sided games in youth football players: a randomized trial. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Sep 10;18(1):419. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-02048-2.
PubMed 42745292
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparative Effects of Speed, Agility, and Quickness Training and Small-Sided Games on Cardiovascular Response in Youth Football Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07633210
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- SAQ-SSG / REF:3/26
- Conditions
- Cardiovascular Fitness
- Keywords
- Cardiovascular Responses
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 18 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Benha UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 2 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 27 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 27 Apr 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 8 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 randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the effects of Speed, Agility, and Quickness (SAQ) training and Small-Sided Games (SSGs) on cardiovascular adaptations in youth football players. Thirty-six male youth football players were randomly assigned to an SAQ training group and an SSG group. Participants completed an 8-week intervention program. Cardiovascular outcomes, including resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure, were assessed before and after the intervention. The study evaluated the effectiveness of these training approaches for improving cardiovascular health and physiological adaptations in youth football players.
Detailed description
Football training methods may induce different physiological and cardiovascular adaptations in youth athletes. Speed, Agility, and Quickness (SAQ) training is widely used to enhance neuromuscular performance, while Small-Sided Games (SSGs) provide sport-specific training stimuli that combine technical, tactical, and physical demands.
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the effects of SAQ training and SSGs on cardiovascular responses in youth football players. Thirty-six male football players aged 14-16 years were randomly allocated to one of three groups: an SAQ training group, an SSG group, or a control group. The intervention lasted 8 weeks.
Cardiovascular measurements included resting heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention period. The study investigated whether SAQ training and SSGs produce different cardiovascular adaptations and whether either intervention is superior to regular football training for improving cardiovascular health indicators in youth football players.
This study was conducted in accordance with institutional ethical approval and informed consent procedures.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants were randomly assigned to two parallel groups: SAQ training and small-sided games. The intervention lasted 8 weeks.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| SAQ Training Group | Experimental | Behavioral: SAQ TrainingParticipants received the SAQ training intervention for 8 weeks |
| Small-Sided Games Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Small-Sided Games TrainingParticipants received the Small-Sided Games training intervention for 8 weeks |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 14 to 16 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Male football players aged 14 to 16 years. Minimum of 2 years of organized football training experience. Regular participation in football training at least 3 times per week. Ability to participate in all training sessions and assessments. Written informed consent provided by participants and their parents or legal guardians.
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Musculoskeletal injury within the previous 3 months. History of cardiovascular disease. Metabolic disorders. Neurological disorders. Use of medications that could affect cardiovascular responses or physical performance.
- Failure to complete the intervention or assessment procedures.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| SAQ TrainingParticipants completed an 8-week Speed, Agility, and Quickness (SAQ) training program designed to improve movement efficiency, agility, acceleration, and cardiovascular adaptations. Training sessions were integrated into the regular football training schedule and were performed throughout the intervention period | Behavioural | SAQ Training Group |
| Small-Sided Games TrainingParticipants completed an 8-week Small-Sided Games (SSG) training program involving soccer-specific game-based exercises performed in reduced playing areas. The intervention was designed to provide technical, tactical, and physiological training stimuli and to promote cardiovascular adaptations. | Behavioural | Small-Sided Games Group |
Primary outcome
Resting Heart Rate
Time frame: Baseline and Week 8
Resting heart rate measured in beats per minute (bpm)
Exercise Heart Rate
Time frame: Baseline and Week 8
Heart rate measured immediately after completion of the 20-meter shuttle run test.
Resting Diastolic Blood Pressure
Time frame: Baseline and Week 8
Resting diastolic blood pressure measured in mmHg.
Resting Systolic Blood Pressure
Time frame: Baseline and Week 8
Resting systolic blood pressure measured in mmHg.
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 Jun 2026.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 42745292Al Sayed M, Meselhy M, Bakr M. Comparative changes in cardiovascular measures following speed, agility, and quickness training and small-sided games in youth football players: a randomized trial. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2026 Sep 10;18(1):419. doi: 10.1186/s13102-026-02048-2.
- 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.
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 SAQ Training and Small-Sided Games Training in people with Cardiovascular Fitness, run by Benha University at 1 site in Egypt.
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 2 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 Jun 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 Egypt. 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?
Resting Heart Rate (time frame: Baseline and Week 8). 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 NCT07633210, 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 Jun 2026.