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CompletedNCT07683091MLGTUpdated Jul 6, 2026

Machine Learning-Guided Training for Elite Athletes (MLGT)

An interventional study of Adaptive Machine Learning Workload Optimization in Athletic Injuries, sponsored by Debre Berhan University. Completed at 2 sites in Ethiopia. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 35 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-06.

Sponsored by Debre Berhan University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
120
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 35 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Plaintext The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether a personalized training protocol driven by machine learning can successfully reduce time-loss sports injuries and enhance athletic performance in elite athletes.

During a 9-month competitive sports season, a group of elite athletes was divided into two training

Read the detailed description

This study evaluated the efficacy of an adaptive, machine learning-driven training protocol compared to traditional athletic preparation over a full 9-month competitive sports season. The primary objective was to determine if a dynamic, technology-led approach to training load management could minimize time-loss injuries while concurrently optimizing athletic performance markers.

Participants were elite athletes randomly allocated into two parallel groups:

  1. The Experimental Group, which underwent training regimens dynamically adjusted using a machine learning algorithm that analyzed individual biomechanical data and historical workload parameters to optimize training volume and intensity.
  2. The Control Group, which followed standard, predetermined high-performance athletic training protocols typical for competitive season preparation.

Throughout the 9-month intervention period, daily tracking was maintained by technical and coaching staff. Data collection focused on the incidence, severity, and duration of all time-loss sports injuries. Concurrently, sport-specific performance parameters were periodically assessed to evaluate physical conditioning and competitive readiness. Statistical analyses were subsequently conducted to compare cumulative injury rates, total days lost to injury, and net performance adaptations between the two cohorts.

02

Conditions studied

  • Athletic Injuries

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Keywords

  • Machine Learning
  • Injury Prevention
  • Athletic Performance
  • Elite Athletes
  • Sports Biomechanics
  • Training Load Optimization
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 35 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Must be a competitive, elite-level or sub-elite track and field athlete specializing in short-to-mid distance running events.
  2. Aged between 18 and 35 years old.
  3. Actively participating in structured athletic training programs for at least 2 years prior to enrollment.
  4. Free from any acute musculoskeletal injuries or medical conditions that prevent full participation in high-intensity training protocols.
  5. Capable and willing to provide written informed consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria: 1. Current or recent (within the past 3 months) major lower-limb injury or surgery that restricts maximal sprint or aerobic performance.

2. Concurrent use of performance-enhancing drugs or medications that influence metabolic or cardiovascular responses.

3. Inability to maintain consistent participation in the designated training protocols due to scheduling conflicts or travel.

4. Any underlying cardiovascular, respiratory, or systemic condition that creates a health risk during exhaustive exercise testing.

04

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
120 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Control Cohort

    Elite adolescent sprinters who followed standard, predetermined high-performance athletic training protocols typical for competitive season preparation. This group received structured training volume and intensity matching standard athletic coaching guidelines, without any machine learning interventions or adaptive workload adjustments.

    Behavioral: Adaptive Machine Learning Workload Optimization

  • Experimental
    Algorithmic Cohort

    Elite adolescent sprinters who received a personalized training protocol dynamically optimized by a machine learning algorithm. The framework evaluated individual biomechanical variables, morning heart rate variability (HRV), sleep quality, and physiological fatigue metrics to adjust training volume and intensity.

    Behavioral: Adaptive Machine Learning Workload Optimization

Interventions

  • BehavioralAdaptive Machine Learning Workload Optimization

    A personalized, data-driven training intervention where athletic workloads are dynamically adjusted based on predictive modeling. The protocol continuously tracks individual physiological markers, biomechanical data, and workload history to optimize training volume and intensity. This adaptive approach aims to maximize performance gains while minimizing the risk of overtraining and injury during the competitive season.

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Changes in Sprint Performance Time

    Sprint performance will be assessed using electronic timing gates to record running times over a specific distance from a stationary start. Lower times indicate improved sprint performance. Measurements will be taken at baseline and at the conclusion of the training intervention period to evaluate the impact of the workload protocols.

    Time frame: 12 weeks

06

Study locations

2 sites
  • Dr. Arefayne
    Debre Berhan, Shewa 445, Ethiopia
  • M Dessye
    Debre Berhan, Shewa 445, Ethiopia
07

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No — Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared publicly to maintain the confidentiality of the elite athletes involved and to protect proprietary training protocols. Aggregated study results and statistical analyses will be available through academic publication.

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

08

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07683091
Lead sponsor
Debre Berhan University
Responsible party
Dr. Arefayne Mesfen Dessye (Assistant Professor, Debre Berhan University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jul 6, 2026
Start date
Jan 1, 2023
Primary completion
Sep 30, 2023
Completion
Sep 30, 2023
Last update
Jul 6, 2026

Study contacts

Dr. Arefayne M Dessye, PhD
principal investigator · Debre Berhan Univeristy

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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