Effects of a Targeted Prevention Program on Change-of-Direction Biomechanics and Performance in Elite Female Soccer Players
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: Targeted Injury Prevention Program.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury. Basic parameters: 13 years — 16 years · Female.
- 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
- Belgium
- 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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Official title
Impact of a Targeted Prevention Program on Biomechanics and Performance During Change-of-Direction Tasks in Elite Female Soccer Players: An Interventional Study
Overview
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common in female soccer and frequently occur during change-of-direction (COD) movements without contact. Biomechanical deficits during these movements are considered important risk factors. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a targeted injury-prevention program on biomechanical movement quality and performance during change-of-direction tasks in female soccer players. Participants will perform a 90° cutting task during which biomechanical movement quality will be assessed using the Cutting Movement Assessment Score (CMAS), while performance will be evaluated using cutting time measured with photoelectric timing gates. Participants will also perform the 505 Agility Test to assess additional change-of-direction performance. In addition, subjective perceptions of functional confidence and performance will be collected using Likert-scale questionnaires. The study will assess whether a structured prevention program integrated into regular training can improve biomechanical movement patterns and change-of-direction performance.
Detailed description
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries frequently occur during rapid change-of-direction (COD) movements in soccer, particularly in female players. Biomechanical deficits during these movements have been identified as important modifiable risk factors for non-contact ACL injuries.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of a structured injury-prevention program on biomechanical movement quality and performance during change-of-direction tasks in female soccer players.
Participants will complete biomechanical and performance assessments before and after a training period. Movement quality during a 90° cutting task will be evaluated using the Cutting Movement Assessment Score (CMAS). Performance will be assessed using cutting time measured with photoelectric timing gates. Participants will also perform the 505 Agility Test to evaluate additional change-of-direction performance. Subjective perceptions of functional confidence and performance will be collected using Likert-scale questionnaires.
Participants will be allocated to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will complete a structured injury-prevention program integrated into their regular soccer training sessions. The program will be performed twice per week for six weeks, with sessions lasting approximately 30 minutes. It will include exercises targeting neuromuscular control, strength, balance, trunk stability, plyometric ability, and change-of-direction technique in order to improve movement mechanics during change-of-direction tasks. The control group will continue their usual soccer training without the additional prevention program.
The study will evaluate whether the prevention program improves biomechanical movement patterns and change-of-direction performance.
Interventions
- Behavioral Targeted Injury Prevention Program
A structured injury prevention program integrated into regular soccer training sessions and performed twice per week for six weeks. The program includes exercises targeting neuromuscular control, lower-limb strength, trunk stability, balance, plyometric ability, and change-of-direction technique.
Primary outcome measures
- CMAS Score during a 90° Change-of-Direction Cutting Task [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period.]
Secondary outcome measures (3)
- Cutting Time during a 90° Change-of-Direction Cutting Task [Time frame: aseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period.]
- 505 Agility Test Time [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period.]
- Subjective Functional Confidence and Performance Perception Scores [Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period.]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Female soccer players aged 13 to 16 years
- Female soccer players training at least 3 times per week
- Ability to provide informed consent (parental consent required for minors)
Exclusion criteria
- Previous lower-limb surgery
- Current musculoskeletal injury
- Refusal to participate or withdrawal of consent
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Non-randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
Study locations
Belgium · 1 center
- University of Liège — Liège
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07523178 · PREV-COD-FF