Soccer drills that train the brain: a new way to boost teen performance?

NCT ID NCT07284940

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether adding cognitive tasks like decision-making and memory challenges to basic soccer dribbling drills could improve both thinking and motor skills in teens. 43 male adolescents aged 16-18 were split into two groups: one did cognitively enriched soccer practice, the other did standard cone drills. Their reaction time, accuracy, and dribbling speed were measured before and after a single 30-minute session. The goal was to see if dual-task training could offer extra benefits for youth sports and physical education.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Cognitively engaging soccer practice (behavioral intervention)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could show that adding mental tasks to sports drills boosts both brain function and motor skills in young athletes.

What could go wrong

This is a small, single-session study in healthy male teens, so results may not apply to other groups or long-term training. The effects may be minimal or not last.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Sialorrhea

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Qingdao University, School of Physical Education

    Qingdao, Shandong, 266071, China