Post-activation Performance Enhancement and Repeated Sprint Performance in Trained Soccer PlayersNCT07736209
Effects of Heavy Back-Squat PAPE on Jump and Repeated Sprint Performance in Trained Soccer Players
A study testing Heavy Back-Squat PAPE Protocol in people with Post-activation Performance Enhancement and Repeated Sprint Performance in Trained Soccer Players, run by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study examined whether performing heavy back squats before exercise affects jumping ability and repeated sprint performance in trained soccer players. Twenty male university soccer players completed two testing sessions in a randomized crossover design. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 20 to 23 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Post-activation Performance Enhancement and Repeated Sprint Performance in Trained Soccer Players
- What is being tested?
- Heavy Back-Squat PAPE Protocol
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 20 Dec 2025to 15 Feb 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 20 to 23 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Male soccer players aged 20-23 years.
- Currently competing in the top division of a university soccer league.
- A minimum of three years of regular soccer training experience.
- Free from long-term musculoskeletal injury during the previous six months.
- Willing and able to complete all familiarization, strength-testing, and experimental sessions.
- Provision of written informed consent.
Who cannot join
- A musculoskeletal injury resulting in an absence from training or competition for 21 days or longer during the previous six months.
- Use of medications or nutritional or ergogenic supplements that could affect exercise performance.
- Any health or physical condition preventing safe participation in heavy back-squat, countermovement jump, or repeated sprint testing.
- Failure to complete both experimental conditions.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa
Istanbul, Istanbul, 34320
About this study
Official title: The PAPE Paradox During Prolonged Repeated Sprint Performance: Acute Heavy Back-Squat Potentiates Vertical Jump and Early Sprint Performance But Impairs Overall Output-A Randomized Crossover Trial in Trained Soccer Players
This study examined whether performing heavy back squats before exercise affects jumping ability and repeated sprint performance in trained soccer players. Twenty male university soccer players completed two testing sessions in a randomized crossover design. In one session, participants performed a standardized warm-up only. In the other session, they performed the same warm-up followed by three sets of three back-squat repetitions at 90% of their one-repetition maximum. The two sessions were separated by one week. After each condition, participants completed a countermovement jump test and an 18 × 40-meter repeated sprint test. The study aimed to determine whether the heavy back-squat activity improves early explosive performance and whether it increases fatigue during prolonged repeated sprint exercise.
- Conditions
- Post-activation Performance Enhancement and Repeated Sprint Performance in Trained Soccer Players
- Being tested
- Heavy Back-Squat PAPE Protocol, Standardized Warm-Up Control Condition
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Heavy Back-Squat PAPE ProtocolBehavioural
Participants completed a standardized warm-up followed by a heavy back-squat conditioning activity consisting of three sets of three repetitions at 90% of one-repetition maximum. Three minutes of passive recovery were provided between sets. Countermovement jump performance was assessed approximately 4.5-5 minutes after the final squat set, immediately before the repeated sprint test.
Standardized Warm-Up Control ConditionBehavioural
Participants completed a standardized warm-up consisting of 5 minutes of jogging, followed by 10 bodyweight squats, 10 lunges, and 10 lateral shuffles. No additional conditioning activity was performed. After approximately 5 minutes of passive recovery, countermovement jump performance was assessed immediately before the repeated sprint test.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control-PAPE Sequence | Experimental | Participants first completed the Control condition, consisting of a standardized warm-up without an additional conditioning activity. After a one-week washout period, participants completed the PAPE condition, consisting of the same standardized warm-up followed by three sets of three back-squat repetitions at 90% of one-repetition maximum, with 3 minutes of passive recovery between sets. Countermovement jump and repeated sprint performance were assessed after each condition. Receives: Behavioral: Heavy Back-Squat PAPE Protocol; Behavioral: Standardized Warm-Up Control Condition |
| PAPE-Control Sequence | Experimental | Participants first completed the PAPE condition, consisting of a standardized warm-up followed by three sets of three back-squat repetitions at 90% of one-repetition maximum, with 3 minutes of passive recovery between sets. After a one-week washout period, participants completed the Control condition, consisting of the same standardized warm-up without an additional conditioning activity. Countermovement jump and repeated sprint performance were assessed after each condition. Receives: Behavioral: Heavy Back-Squat PAPE Protocol; Behavioral: Standardized Warm-Up Control Condition |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Repeated Sprint Performance Decrement
Percentage decline in repeated sprint performance calculated from sprint times recorded during an 18 × 40-meter shuttle sprint test. The protocol consisted of three sets of six 40-meter shuttle sprints, with 20 seconds of passive recovery between sprints and 4 minutes of passive recovery between sets. Lower percentage values indicate better maintenance of sprint performance and less fatigue.
Measured: During the 18 × 40-meter repeated sprint test, which lasted approximately 15 minutes and was completed within each of two experimental sessions lasting approximately 25-35 minutes; the sessions were separated by a 1-week washout period.
Countermovement Jump Height
Maximum countermovement jump height measured in centimeters using the Optojump Next optical measurement system. Participants performed three maximal countermovement jump trials with their hands positioned on their hips and 60 seconds of passive recovery between trials. The highest jump height was used for analysis. Higher values indicate better jump performance.
Measured: At approximately 5 minutes after the assigned condition, within each of two experimental sessions lasting approximately 25-35 minutes; the sessions were separated by a 1-week washout period.
Secondary outcomes (4)
Mean Repeated Sprint Time
Mean sprint time, measured in seconds, calculated across all 18 repetitions of the 40-meter shuttle sprint test. Sprint times were recorded using a photocell timing system. Lower values indicate better repeated sprint performance.
Measured: During the 18 × 40-meter repeated sprint test, which lasted approximately 15 minutes and was completed within each of two experimental sessions lasting approximately 25-35 minutes; the sessions were separated by a 1-week washout period.
Best Sprint Time
The fastest sprint time, measured in seconds, recorded among the 18 repetitions of the 40-meter shuttle sprint test using a photocell timing system. Lower values indicate better sprint performance.
Measured: During the 18 × 40-meter repeated sprint test, which lasted approximately 15 minutes and was completed within each of two experimental sessions lasting approximately 25-35 minutes; the sessions were separated by a 1-week washout period.
Worst Sprint Time
The slowest sprint time, measured in seconds, recorded among the 18 repetitions of the 40-meter shuttle sprint test using a photocell timing system. Lower values indicate better sprint performance.
Measured: During the 18 × 40-meter repeated sprint test, which lasted approximately 15 minutes and was completed within each of two experimental sessions lasting approximately 25-35 minutes; the sessions were separated by a 1-week washout period.
Sprint Time Across Individual Repetitions
Sprint time, measured in seconds, for each of the 18 individual 40-meter shuttle sprint repetitions. Sprint-by-sprint values were used to evaluate changes in performance during the early repetitions (sprints 1-3), middle repetitions (sprints 4-8), and later repetitions (sprints 9-18). Lower values indicate faster sprint performance.
Measured: During each repetition of the 18 × 40-meter repeated sprint test, which lasted approximately 15 minutes and was completed within each of two experimental sessions lasting approximately 25-35 minutes; the sessions were separated by a 1-week washout period
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted30 Jul 2026
- Study start20 Dec 2025
- Primary completion15 Feb 2026
- Study completion15 Feb 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Post-activation Performance Enhancement and Repeated Sprint Performance in Trained Soccer PlayersStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Istanbul University - CerrahpasaThe 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
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Abdullah Demirli, Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07736209
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PAPE-RSA-2025-01
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 26 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 30 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The PAPE Paradox During Prolonged Repeated Sprint Performance: Acute Heavy Back-Squat Potentiates Vertical Jump and Early Sprint Performance But Impairs Overall Output-A Randomized Crossover Trial in Trained Soccer Players
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07736209
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PAPE-RSA-2025-01
- Conditions
- Post-activation Performance Enhancement and Repeated Sprint Performance in Trained Soccer Players
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul University - CerrahpasaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Feb 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 30 Jul 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 examined whether performing heavy back squats before exercise affects jumping ability and repeated sprint performance in trained soccer players. Twenty male university soccer players completed two testing sessions in a randomized crossover design. In one session, participants performed a standardized warm-up only. In the other session, they performed the same warm-up followed by three sets of three back-squat repetitions at 90% of their one-repetition maximum. The two sessions were separated by one week. After each condition, participants completed a countermovement jump test and an 18 × 40-meter repeated sprint test. The study aimed to determine whether the heavy back-squat activity improves early explosive performance and whether it increases fatigue during prolonged repeated sprint exercise.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control-PAPE Sequence | Experimental | Behavioral: Heavy Back-Squat PAPE Protocol, Behavioral: Standardized Warm-Up Control ConditionParticipants first completed the Control condition, consisting of a standardized warm-up without an additional conditioning activity. After a one-week washout period, participants completed the PAPE condition, consisting of the same standardized warm-up followed by three sets of three back-squat repetitions at 90% of one-repetition maximum, with 3 minutes of passive recovery between sets. Countermovement jump and repeated sprint performance were assessed after each condition. |
| PAPE-Control Sequence | Experimental | Behavioral: Heavy Back-Squat PAPE Protocol, Behavioral: Standardized Warm-Up Control ConditionParticipants first completed the PAPE condition, consisting of a standardized warm-up followed by three sets of three back-squat repetitions at 90% of one-repetition maximum, with 3 minutes of passive recovery between sets. After a one-week washout period, participants completed the Control condition, consisting of the same standardized warm-up without an additional conditioning activity. Countermovement jump and repeated sprint performance were assessed after each condition. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 20 to 23 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Male soccer players aged 20-23 years.
- Currently competing in the top division of a university soccer league.
- A minimum of three years of regular soccer training experience.
- Free from long-term musculoskeletal injury during the previous six months.
- Willing and able to complete all familiarization, strength-testing, and experimental sessions.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- A musculoskeletal injury resulting in an absence from training or competition for 21 days or longer during the previous six months.
- Use of medications or nutritional or ergogenic supplements that could affect exercise performance.
- Any health or physical condition preventing safe participation in heavy back-squat, countermovement jump, or repeated sprint testing.
- Failure to complete both experimental conditions.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy Back-Squat PAPE ProtocolParticipants completed a standardized warm-up followed by a heavy back-squat conditioning activity consisting of three sets of three repetitions at 90% of one-repetition maximum. Three minutes of passive recovery were provided between sets. Countermovement jump performance was assessed approximately 4.5-5 minutes after the final squat set, immediately before the repeated sprint test. | Behavioural | Control-PAPE Sequence, PAPE-Control Sequence |
| Standardized Warm-Up Control ConditionParticipants completed a standardized warm-up consisting of 5 minutes of jogging, followed by 10 bodyweight squats, 10 lunges, and 10 lateral shuffles. No additional conditioning activity was performed. After approximately 5 minutes of passive recovery, countermovement jump performance was assessed immediately before the repeated sprint test. | Behavioural | Control-PAPE Sequence, PAPE-Control Sequence |
Primary outcome
Repeated Sprint Performance Decrement
Time frame: During the 18 × 40-meter repeated sprint test, which lasted approximately 15 minutes and was completed within each of two experimental sessions lasting approximately 25-35 minutes; the sessions were separated by a 1-week washout period.
Percentage decline in repeated sprint performance calculated from sprint times recorded during an 18 × 40-meter shuttle sprint test. The protocol consisted of three sets of six 40-meter shuttle sprints, with 20 seconds of passive recovery between sprints and 4 minutes of passive recovery between sets. Lower percentage values indicate better maintenance of sprint performance and less fatigue.
Countermovement Jump Height
Time frame: At approximately 5 minutes after the assigned condition, within each of two experimental sessions lasting approximately 25-35 minutes; the sessions were separated by a 1-week washout period.
Maximum countermovement jump height measured in centimeters using the Optojump Next optical measurement system. Participants performed three maximal countermovement jump trials with their hands positioned on their hips and 60 seconds of passive recovery between trials. The highest jump height was used for analysis. Higher values indicate better jump performance.
4 secondary outcomes
Mean Repeated Sprint Time
Time frame: During the 18 × 40-meter repeated sprint test, which lasted approximately 15 minutes and was completed within each of two experimental sessions lasting approximately 25-35 minutes; the sessions were separated by a 1-week washout period.
Best Sprint Time
Time frame: During the 18 × 40-meter repeated sprint test, which lasted approximately 15 minutes and was completed within each of two experimental sessions lasting approximately 25-35 minutes; the sessions were separated by a 1-week washout period.
Worst Sprint Time
Time frame: During the 18 × 40-meter repeated sprint test, which lasted approximately 15 minutes and was completed within each of two experimental sessions lasting approximately 25-35 minutes; the sessions were separated by a 1-week washout period.
Sprint Time Across Individual Repetitions
Time frame: During each repetition of the 18 × 40-meter repeated sprint test, which lasted approximately 15 minutes and was completed within each of two experimental sessions lasting approximately 25-35 minutes; the sessions were separated by a 1-week washout period
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 30 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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 Heavy Back-Squat PAPE Protocol in people with Post-activation Performance Enhancement and Repeated Sprint Performance in Trained Soccer Players, run by Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 4 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 30 Jul 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
Repeated Sprint Performance Decrement (time frame: During the 18 × 40-meter repeated sprint test, which lasted approximately 15 minutes and was completed within each of two experimental sessions lasting approximately 25-35 minutes; the sessions were separated by a 1-week washout period.). The study lists 2 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 30 Jul 2026.