Protocol summary
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Study aim
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Comparison of the acute effects of three warm-up protocols, myofascial chain-based dynamic, conventional dynamic, and ballistic, on neuromuscular performance in male soccer players.
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Design
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This randomized crossover trial with repeated measures and single-blind design includes 24 male soccer players, each receiving all three warm-up protocols in a randomized order. Randomization is simple and individual, using software, with at least 72 hours between sessions.
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Settings and conduct
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This study examines neuromuscular performance in soccer players. In three sessions, participants receive three warm-up protocols in randomized order, followed by assessment of jumping, reactive strength index, 20-meter sprint, and change of direction. Sessions are 72 hours apart, with a blinded outcome assessor.
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Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
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Inclusion criteria: Male soccer players aged 18 to 28 years, with at least 3 years of regular training experience and at least 3 training sessions per week, without lower limb injury or orthopedic surgery during the past 6 months, and without neurological or musculoskeletal disorders affecting test performance; also, no use of medications or supplements affecting neuromuscular performance and informed consent to participate in the study.
Exclusion criteria: Presence of lower limb injury or history of orthopedic surgery during the past 6 months, neurological or musculoskeletal disorders affecting test performance, or use of medications and supplements affecting neuromuscular performance at the time of entry into the study.
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Intervention groups
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Myofascial chain-based dynamic warm-up, conventional dynamic warm-up, and ballistic warm-up. Each lasts 10 minutes, with acute effects on neuromuscular performance assessed afterward.
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Main outcome variables
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Vertical jump height; reactive strength index; 20-meter sprint speed; change-of-direction ability.
General information
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Reason for update
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Due to the available sample size, the number of participants was increased.
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Acronym
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IRCT registration information
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IRCT registration number:
IRCT20230612058457N11
Registration date:
2026-09-30, 1405/07/08
Registration timing:
prospective
Last update:
2026-10-29, 1405/08/07
Update count:
1
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Registration date
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2026-09-30, 1405/07/08
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Registrant information
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Recruitment status
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Recruitment complete
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Funding source
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Expected recruitment start date
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2026-10-01, 1405/07/09
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Expected recruitment end date
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2026-11-02, 1405/08/11
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Actual recruitment start date
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empty
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Actual recruitment end date
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empty
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Trial completion date
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empty
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Scientific title
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Acute Effects of Myofascial Chain-Based Dynamic, Conventional Dynamic, and Ballistic Warm-Up Protocols on Neuromuscular Performance in Soccer Players: A Randomized Crossover Trial
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Public title
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Comparison of the acute effects of three types of dynamic warm-up on the neuromuscular performance of male soccer players
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Purpose
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Prevention
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Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
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Inclusion criteria:
The participants' age should be 18 to 28 years.
The participant should be a male player of a competitive soccer team.
The participant should have at least 3 years of regular soccer training experience.
The participant should have at least 3 soccer training sessions per week.
The participant should not have suffered a lower limb injury during the past 6 months.
The participant should not have had orthopedic surgery during the past 6 months.
The participant should not have any neurological or musculoskeletal disorder affecting the performance of functional tests.
The participant should not use any medication or supplement affecting neuromuscular performance during the study period.
The participant should provide informed consent to attend all three experimental sessions.
Exclusion criteria:
History of orthopedic surgery during the past 6 months.
Presence of a neurological disorder affecting the performance of functional tests.
Presence of a musculoskeletal disorder affecting the performance of functional tests.
Use of medications affecting neuromuscular performance at the time of entry into the study.
Use of supplements affecting neuromuscular performance at the time of entry into the study.
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Age
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From 18 years old to 28 years old
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Gender
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Male
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Phase
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N/A
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Groups that have been masked
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Sample size
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Target sample size:
70
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Randomization (investigator's opinion)
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Randomized
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Randomization description
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The sequence of performing the three warm-up protocols for each participant will be determined by simple randomization at the individual level. Each participant will receive all three protocols, including myofascial chain-based dynamic warm-up, conventional dynamic warm-up, and ballistic warm-up, and the order of performing the protocols will be randomly determined using statistical software; in this study, block or stratified randomization will not be used. A random sequence of the three protocols will be generated for each participant and maintained until the end of the study. To ensure allocation concealment, the random sequences will be placed in opaque, non-transparent, sealed envelopes before the start of the study, and after each participant's entry and eligibility verification, the relevant envelope will be opened by an individual independent of the outcome assessment to determine the order of intervention implementation. The outcome assessor will not be aware of the allocation order and the protocol performed in each session. This method is consistent with the crossover design of the study and the randomization of the order of interventions.
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Blinding (investigator's opinion)
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Single blinded
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Blinding description
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Participants and the administrator/interventionist will not be blinded to the type of intervention due to the nature and observable differences of the warm-up protocols. Also, the principal investigator and the person responsible for performing the warm-up protocols will be aware of the type of intervention performed. In contrast, the outcome assessor and the person responsible for collecting performance data will not be aware of the allocation order and the type of warm-up protocol performed in each session, and will carry out the outcome assessment without knowledge of the intervention.
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Placebo
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Not used
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Assignment
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Crossover
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Other design features
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This study will be conducted as a randomized crossover trial with repeated measures, in which each participant will receive all three warm-up protocols, including myofascial chain-based dynamic warm-up, conventional dynamic warm-up, and ballistic warm-up, in separate sessions and in a randomized order. Each participant will serve as their own control, and a minimum interval of 72 hours will be considered between sessions. To reduce the influence of environmental factors and physical activity before testing, the sessions will be conducted under similar environmental conditions, and participants will be asked to refrain from intense physical activity during the 24 hours before each session. Performance assessment after each protocol will include the measurement of vertical jump height, reactive strength index, 20-meter sprint speed, and change-of-direction ability.
Ethics committees
1
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Ethics committee
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Approval date
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2026-09-23, 1405/07/01
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Ethics committee reference number
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IR.GUILAN.REC.1405.082
Health conditions studied
1
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Description of health condition studied
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Neuromuscular performance; sports warm-up; athletic performance; soccer players.
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ICD-10 code
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ICD-10 code description
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Primary outcomes
1
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Description
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Vertical jump height
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Timepoint
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Before to after each warm-up protocol
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Method of measurement
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My Jump 2 application
2
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Description
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Reactive strength index (RSI)
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Timepoint
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Before to after each warm-up protocol
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Method of measurement
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My Jump 2 application
3
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Description
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20-meter sprint speed
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Timepoint
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Before to after each warm-up protocol
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Method of measurement
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Finish Photo application
4
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Description
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Change-of-direction ability
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Timepoint
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Before to after each warm-up protocol
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Method of measurement
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CODTimer application
Intervention groups
1
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Description
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Myofascial chain-based dynamic stretching: The protocol consists of four movement stations based on myofascial chains, designed to engage the superficial back line, spiral line, and other movement patterns defined in the protocol. The protocol is performed dynamically and within a functional range of motion, with a total execution time of 10 minutes, including transitions between stations.
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Category
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Prevention
2
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Description
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Conventional dynamic stretching: The protocol includes four lower limb muscle groups, including the quadriceps, gluteal muscles, hamstrings, and triceps surae (gastrocnemius-soleus). Each movement is performed in two 30-second sets with 45 seconds of rest between movements. The movements are performed in a swinging and controlled manner through the full joint range of motion, with execution speed gradually increasing. The total duration of the protocol, including transitions between stations, is 10 minutes.
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Category
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Prevention
3
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Description
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Ballistic stretching: The protocol includes the same four muscle groups, the quadriceps, gluteal muscles, hamstrings, and triceps surae, and is performed in two 30-second sets with 45 seconds of rest between movements. In each set, the participant first holds the stretched position at maximum range for 5 seconds, then performs 5 seconds of bouncing movements with increasing range; this pattern is repeated until the 30 seconds are completed. The total duration of the protocol is 10 minutes.
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Category
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Prevention
4
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Description
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There is no independent control intervention; the study is conducted as a crossover trial, and each participant serves as their own control.
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Category
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N/A
1
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Sponsor
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Grant name
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Grant code / Reference number
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Is the source of funding the same sponsor organization/entity?
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Yes
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Title of funding source
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University of Guilan
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Proportion provided by this source
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100
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Public or private sector
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Public
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Domestic or foreign origin
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Domestic
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Category of foreign source of funding
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empty
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Country of origin
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Type of organization providing the funding
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Academic
Sharing plan
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Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
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Yes - There is a plan to make this available
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Study Protocol
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Yes - There is a plan to make this available
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Statistical Analysis Plan
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Yes - There is a plan to make this available
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Informed Consent Form
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Yes - There is a plan to make this available
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Clinical Study Report
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No - There is not a plan to make this available
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Analytic Code
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Yes - There is a plan to make this available
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Data Dictionary
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Yes - There is a plan to make this available
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Title and more details about the data/document
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All data will be shareable after anonymization of participants.
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When the data will become available and for how long
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All data will be shared after anonymization, and access will be available immediately upon publication of the results.
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To whom data/document is available
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The data will be accessible to researchers, organizations, and relevant football authorities for journal publication purposes.
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Under which criteria data/document could be used
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This is aimed at contributing to scientific research and advancing practical objectives, with a focus on reducing musculoskeletal injuries and improving the performance of football players.
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From where data/document is obtainable
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Mohammad Alimoradi/malimoradisport@gmail.com
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What processes are involved for a request to access data/document
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Requests for data access will be responded to within one week.
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Comments
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