SAQ Training Versus Small-Sided Games for Cardiovascular Adaptations in Youth Football Players (SAQ-SSG)

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Cardiovascular Fitness
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: SAQ Training; Behavioral: Small-Sided Games Training

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 Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 18
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Egypt
  • Qalyubia Governorate
    • Banhā, Qalyubia Governorate, Egypt, 13111
      • Benha Sporting Club

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

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.

Exclusion Criteria:

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.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: SAQ Training Group; Participants received the SAQ training intervention for 8 weeks	Behavioral: SAQ Training; 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
Experimental: Small-Sided Games Group; Participants received the Small-Sided Games training intervention for 8 weeks	Behavioral: Small-Sided Games Training; 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.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Resting Heart Rate	Resting heart rate measured in beats per minute (bpm)	Baseline and Week 8
Exercise Heart Rate	Heart rate measured immediately after completion of the 20-meter shuttle run test.	Baseline and Week 8
Resting Diastolic Blood Pressure	Resting diastolic blood pressure measured in mmHg.	Baseline and Week 8
Resting Systolic Blood Pressure	Resting systolic blood pressure measured in mmHg.	Baseline and Week 8

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Benha University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 2, 2026
• Primary Completion (Actual): April 27, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): April 27, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 3, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 3, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): June 8, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 8, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 3, 2026
• Last Verified: June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Cardiovascular Responses
• Other Study ID Numbers: REF:3/26

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No