The Effects of Neuromuscular Training on Knee Biomechanics During Jump-Landing Among College Basketball Players Post ACL Reconstruction and Rehabilitation
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Neuromuscular Training (NMT).
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation, Knee Injuries, Biomechanical Data, Athletic Performance. Basic parameters: 18 years — 25 years · Male.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- China
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Overview
Basketball players often injure the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a key structure that stabilizes the knee. Even after surgery and standard rehabilitation, many athletes continue to have problems with knee stability, movement control, and performance during jumping and landing. These issues increase the risk of re-injury and can limit their ability to return to competition. Neuromuscular training (NMT) is a type of exercise program that focuses on improving balance, muscle coordination, and movement patterns. It uses activities such as jump-landing drills, balance tasks, agility exercises, and core training. Previous research shows that NMT can help athletes land more safely, reduce harmful knee movements, and improve sport performance. However, little is known about its long-term benefits in college basketball players who are more than one year post-ACL surgery. This study aims to evaluate whether a 12-week NMT program, added to standard basketball training, can improve knee biomechanics, stability, and performance in college basketball players with a history of ACL reconstruction. Thirty participants will be randomly assigned to either an NMT group or a control group. Both groups will complete basketball training, but only the NMT group will receive the additional neuromuscular exercises. Knee movement will be measured using 3D motion capture and force plates, and performance will be tested through vertical jumps and other sport-specific tasks. The main outcomes will include knee angles during landing, ground reaction forces, dynamic stability, and jump height. The expected outcome is that athletes who undergo NMT will demonstrate safer landing strategies, better knee control, and improved performance compared to those who only receive standard basketball training. These findings may help coaches and healthcare providers design safer, more effective rehabilitation programs for athletes after ACL surgery.
Interventions
- Behavioral Neuromuscular Training (NMT)
The neuromuscular training (NMT) program is a 12-week behavioral intervention performed 2-3 times per week in addition to regular basketball training. It includes balance tasks, jump-landing drills, agility exercises, and core strengthening to improve knee stability and movement control after ACL reconstruction
Primary outcome measures
- Peak knee valgus angle during single-leg jump-landing (degrees) [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)]
Secondary outcome measures (8)
- Time to stabilization after landing (seconds) [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)]
- Center of pressure displacement after landing, medial-lateral (millimeters) [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)]
- Peak knee flexion angle during single-leg jump-landing (degrees) [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)]
- Center of pressure displacement after landing, anterior-posterior (millimeters) [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)]
- Countermovement jump height (centimeters) [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)]
- Squat jump height (centimeters) [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)]
- Knee flexion angle at initial contact during single-leg jump-landing (degrees) [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)]
- Peak vertical ground reaction force during single-leg jump-landing (Newtons) [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria:Male college basketball players
Age 18-25 years
History of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery at least 12 months before enrollment
Cleared by physician for sports participation
Willing to provide informed consent and comply with study procedures
Exclusion Criteria:Previous ACL injury on the contralateral knee
Other major lower-limb injuries (e.g., meniscus, cartilage, fractures) in the past 12 months
Current knee pain, swelling, or instability that prevents safe participation
Neurological, cardiovascular, or systemic conditions that may affect training safety
Participation in another structured neuromuscular training program within the past 6 months
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Factorial
- Masking
- Double blind
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
Study locations
China · 1 center
- Chengde Medical University, Affiliated Hospital — Chengde
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07314931 · USM/JEPeM/KK/25030307