Effects of repeated-sprint training on physical performance and competitive anxiety in university soccer players: a randomized controlled trial

To investigate the comprehensive effects of structured repeated-sprint training (RST) on multidimensional physical performance and competitive state anxiety in university-level football players, thereby addressing gaps in the current literature regarding assessment dimensions, psychological aspects, and evidence within this specific population. A randomized controlled pre-post-test design was employed. Twenty-seven male university-level football players were randomly allocated to either an RST group ( n = 13) or a control group ( n = 14) for a 6-week intervention with two sessions per week. The RST group performed a progressively loaded linear repeated-sprint protocol, while the control group engaged in time-matched low-to-moderate intensity activities. A comprehensive test battery was administered pre- and post-intervention, including the 20-meter linear sprint, Countermovement Jump (CMJ), Illinois Agility Test (IAT), Harre Circuit Test (HCT), 20-meter Multistage Shuttle Run Test, and the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant Group × Time interaction effects ( p < 0.05) for several outcomes in the RST group compared to the control group. Specifically, the RST group demonstrated significant improvements with large effect sizes in CMJ height (d = -1.183), IAT time (d = 2.135), HCT time (d = 1.589), and 20-meter Multistage Shuttle Run performance (d = 1.606). Although the interaction effect for the 20-meter linear sprint was not significant ( p > 0.05), post-hoc tests indicated that the RST group’s post-intervention performance was significantly better than that of the control group (d = 0.748). Furthermore, regarding competitive state anxiety, the RST group’s post-intervention total score was significantly lower than both its own pre-intervention score (d = 1.001) and the post-intervention score of the control group (d = 0.763). A 6-week structured RST program effectively and simultaneously enhances lower-body power, agility, coordination, and high-intensity intermittent endurance in university-level football players, while also contributing to a reduction in competitive state anxiety levels. This training modality can serve as an efficient multi-dimensional tool for promoting physical performance and psychological adaptation, suitable for integration into the periodized training plans of university athletes. However, the relatively small sample size and the inclusion of only male participants ( n = 27) limit the generalizability of these findings; therefore, Consequently, future investigations with larger and more heterogeneous samples, including female participants, are warranted to further corroborate the present findings. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT07742462. (Retrospectively registered on July 29, 2026).