Cairo University Completes Clinical Study NCT06069635 on Fatigue and Performance in Adolescent Football Players
Cairo University has completed its clinical study, NCT06069635, investigating the effect of fatigue on core endurance, dynamic balance, and player performance in adolescent football players. The interventional trial, involving 60 male participants from Wadi-Degla football club, provides critical data for sports medicine and performance science, impacting training protocols and injury prevention strategies in youth athletics.
Clinical Study Completion: Design and Objectives for Adolescent Athletes
Cairo University, a prominent institution in Egypt, has officially completed its interventional clinical study, NCT06069635, focusing on the critical area of fatigue in adolescent football players. This study, which commenced on May 17, 2022, and reached its primary completion on June 17, 2023, with overall completion by July 17, 2023, aimed to rigorously investigate the impact of fatigue on core endurance, dynamic balance, and overall player performance. For procurement directors and business development executives in sports technology and athletic development, understanding such research is vital. The study's design was a randomized, parallel-group interventional trial, enrolling 60 male participants aged 14 to 18 years. These players were specifically recruited from the Wadi-Degla football club's 2005, 2006, and 2007 teams in Giza, Egypt. The primary objective was to quantify the effects of fatigue, providing data that could directly influence the development of more effective training protocols and injury prevention strategies within youth sports programs. This comprehensive approach ensures that the findings are directly applicable to real-world athletic environments, offering tangible insights for stakeholders focused on optimizing young athletes' potential and safety.
Methodological Rigor and Participant Cohort Specifics
The methodological framework of the NCT06069635 study demonstrates a high degree of specificity, crucial for generating reliable data in sports science. Participants, all healthy male volunteers, were carefully selected based on stringent inclusion criteria: age between 14 and 18 years, active membership in Wadi-Degla football club teams, freedom from lower limb injuries for at least six months prior to the study, and an optimal Body Mass Index (BMI) ranging from 18.5 to 24.9. Exclusion criteria prevented participation from those not regularly trained for at least six hours per week, or with major lower limb injuries or surgery within the preceding six months. The 60 players were randomly assigned into two groups: a fatigue group (30 players) and a control group (30 players). Both groups underwent baseline assessments for core endurance, balance, and performance metrics including a 20-meter running sprint and the Triple-Hop Test (THT). The fatigue group then underwent a specific fatigue protocol utilizing Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA), while the control group followed a sham protocol. This detailed segmentation and rigorous assessment protocol ensures the validity of the findings, offering clear implications for how sports organizations evaluate and manage player readiness and fatigue levels.
Assessment Tools and Fatigue Protocol Implementation
A key aspect of the Cairo University study was the precise measurement of critical performance indicators. Single-leg balance was assessed using the 'MFT challenge disc' balance measuring system for both dominant and non-dominant legs, with measurements taken over a 20-second timeframe. This specific equipment choice provides a standardized and objective measure, highly relevant for procurement directors considering investments in advanced athletic assessment technologies. Core endurance was also evaluated, alongside performance metrics such as the 20-meter running sprint and the Triple-Hop Test (THT). The fatigue protocol applied to the experimental group involved a demanding Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA) test. This protocol consisted of six repetitions of maximal 2x15 meter shuttle sprints, interspersed with only 20 seconds of passive recovery, performed on an artificial grass carpet. A standardized 20-minute warm-up preceded the RSA protocol to ensure consistent physiological states. The fatigue index was calculated as a percentage decrement score, providing a quantitative measure of fatigue. This detailed methodology offers insights into specific assessment tools and training stressors that can be integrated into high-performance sports programs, influencing equipment procurement and training regimen design.
Implications for Sports Medicine and Performance Enhancement Strategies
The completion of Cairo University's NCT06069635 study carries significant implications for the global sports medicine and athletic development sectors. For regulatory affairs heads overseeing sports health guidelines and business development executives exploring new markets, the findings will contribute to evidence-based practices. By quantifying the direct effects of fatigue on balance and core endurance in adolescent football players, this research provides a scientific foundation for optimizing training loads and recovery strategies. Understanding how fatigue impacts these fundamental physical attributes can lead to the development of more sophisticated injury prevention programs, potentially reducing the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries in young athletes. Furthermore, the study's insights can inform talent identification and development programs, allowing coaches and trainers to better manage player workloads and enhance long-term athletic performance. This data is invaluable for organizations like Wadi-Degla football club, and others globally, seeking to implement cutting-edge sports science to gain a competitive edge and ensure the well-being of their players. The focus on a specific age group and sport makes the findings particularly relevant for targeted interventions in youth football academies worldwide.
Strategic Planning and Procurement in Youth Sports Development
For procurement directors and supply chain VPs within sports organizations, the outcomes of studies like NCT06069635 directly influence strategic planning and purchasing decisions. The explicit mention of the 'MFT challenge disc' for balance assessment, for example, highlights a specific technology that could become a standard procurement item for clubs and academies aiming to implement scientifically-backed performance monitoring. Similarly, the detailed description of the Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA) fatigue protocol provides a blueprint for designing training equipment and facilities. Organizations involved in youth sports development, including national federations and private academies, can leverage these findings to justify investments in specialized equipment, advanced physiological testing tools, and expert personnel trained in sports science. This could include procuring services from sports physiologists, investing in data analytics platforms to track player fatigue, or sourcing specific training apparatus designed to improve core endurance and dynamic balance. The study underscores the commercial value of integrating rigorous scientific research into athletic programs, guiding procurement strategies towards solutions that demonstrably enhance player safety, performance, and long-term athletic development, particularly within the competitive landscape of global football.