Sensorimotor Training to Enhance Performance - the STEP AHEAD Program
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: sensorimotor and neuromuscular training, Typical off season ice hockey training.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Ice Hockey Players. Basic parameters: 12 years — 40 years · All.
- 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
- Canada
- 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
The goal of this study is to evaluate the effects of SM/NM training in ice hockey players. The specific questions include: 1) typical performance on sensorimotor and neuromuscular (SM/NM) tests 2) evaluate SM/NM training on ice hockey skills performance and SM/NM tests, 3) evaluate SM/NM control to prevent concussions and injuries Participants will: Consent and complete a series of SM/NM tests. Participate in their typical training for 4 weeks. Repeat the SM/NM tests. Participate in SM/NM training for 4 weeks as part of their off season training program. Repeat the SM/NM tests and on ice skills testing. Record any injuries and concussions that they sustain over the next season. Repeat the SM/NM tests and on ice skills tests at the start of the 2025 off season training (estimated May - July of 2025).
Detailed description
Rationale:
While sensorimotor function is recognized as an important aspect of growth and development, little is known about specific changes in sensorimotor control with sport specific training. Similarly, the relationship between sensorimotor control and sport-specific performance is not yet well understood. Specific rehabilitation exercises have been shown to improve sensorimotor control, many of which are context specific and may also prevent injury and/or concussion. The effect of age on these outcomes and the relationship between training sensorimotor control and age is also not well understood. Thus, evaluation of sensorimotor control outcomes across ages, the effects of sensorimotor training on sensorimotor control and performance is needed and may inform changes to recommendations for sport-specific training.
Ultimately, understanding the effect of training specific sensorimotor systems (which is not a part of typical sport training environments) will inform multiple areas of sport including: 1) Sport-specific performance 2) typical development of SM/NM function, 3) the effect of SM/NM training on SM/NM measures and ice hockey specific physical performance and 4) injury and concussion prevention strategies.
Therefore, the objectives of this study are to:
1. Describe age and sex specific typical scores on sensorimotor and neuromuscular (proprioception, movement related, balance, vision, divided attention) and ice hockey specific physical performance measures over one off season of training. 2. Evaluate the effects of a sensorimotor training program on ice hockey skills performance. 3. Evaluate sensorimotor control as a means to improve safety in sport:
1. Evaluate the effect of SM/NM training on concussion and injury risk. 2. Evaluate the effect of previous concussion and injury on sensorimotor function. 4. Evaluate the effect of SM/NM training on performance of 1) system specific outcomes and 2) sport specific measures in ice hockey players.
Interventions
- Other sensorimotor and neuromuscular training
Sensorimotor and neuromuscular training exercises aimed at training the cervical spine neuromuscular control, vestibular system and oculomotor system in addition to ice hockey specific training the incorporates higher level integrated functional activities of these integrated systems. This will be performed at the same frequency as their typical training - four days per week in the gym, one day of yoga or recovery as well as on ice sessions. - Other Typical off season ice hockey training
Typical training for ice hockey players off season
Primary outcome measures
- Craniocervical flexion [Time frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years]
- Dynamic Visual Acuity [Time frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years]
- Vestibular Ocular Motor Screen (VOMS) [Time frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years]
- Advanced Functional Gait Assessment [Time frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years]
- Transition Agility Skate [Time frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years]
Secondary outcome measures (10)
- Cervical spine range of motion [Time frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years]
- Anterolateral flexion strength [Time frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years]
- cervical flexor endurance test [Time frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years]
- cervical flexion rotation test [Time frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years]
- head perturbation test [Time frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years]
- Head thrust test [Time frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years]
- Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) Headache [Time frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years]
- Numeric Dizziness Rating Scale (NDRS) Dizziness [Time frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years]
- Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) Neck pain [Time frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years]
- Concussion [Time frame: yearly, up to 2 years]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria:Ice hockey players in Calgary and area who are training with Crash Conditioning for the 2024-2026 off season -
Exclusion criteria
N/A
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Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Non-randomized
- Model
- Sequential
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Other
Study locations
Canada · 1 center
- Concussion Rehabilitation Laboratory — Calgary
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07402746 · STEP AHEAD