Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
Conditions
Keywords
Injury Prevention, ACL Injury Prevention, Female soccer, Change of Direction, Cutting Task, CMAS, 505 Agility Test, Neuromuscular Training
Brief summary
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
BEHAVIORALTargeted 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.
Sponsors
University of Liege
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
13 Years to 16 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
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
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| CMAS Score during a 90° Change-of-Direction Cutting Task | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period. | Biomechanical movement quality during a 90° change-of-direction cutting task assessed using the Cutting Movement Assessment Score (CMAS), reflecting the kinematic quality of the movement. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting Time during a 90° Change-of-Direction Cutting Task | aseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period. | Execution time (cutting time) during a 90° change-of-direction cutting task measured using photoelectric timing gates to assess change-of-direction performance. |
| 505 Agility Test Time | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period. | Execution time during the 505 Agility Test measuring change-of-direction performance, recorded using photoelectric timing gates. |
| Subjective Functional Confidence and Performance Perception Scores | Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period. | Self-reported perceptions of functional confidence and perceived performance during change-of-direction movements assessed using Likert-scale questionnaires using a 0-10 Likert scale. |
Countries
Belgium
Contacts
CONTACTMathilde Devits, PT, PhD candidate
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORMathilde Devits, PT, PhD candidate
University of Liege
Outcome results
None listed