Effects of a Targeted Prevention Program on Change-of-Direction Biomechanics and Performance in Elite Female Soccer Players

Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexFemale
Age13-16
SponsorUniversity of Liege

About this trial

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.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

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)

Disqualifiers

Previous lower-limb surgery

Current musculoskeletal injury

Refusal to participate or withdrawal of consent

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Targeted Injury Prevention Program

    Behavioral

    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.

Treatment groups

51 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: Injury Prevention ProgramExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Usual Soccer TrainingNo intervention 0 interventions

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

CMAS Score during a 90° Change-of-Direction Cutting Task

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.

Time frame
Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period.

Secondary outcomes

1

Cutting Time during a 90° Change-of-Direction Cutting Task

Execution time (cutting time) during a 90° change-of-direction cutting task measured using photoelectric timing gates to assess change-of-direction performance.

Time frame
aseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period.
2

505 Agility Test Time

Execution time during the 505 Agility Test measuring change-of-direction performance, recorded using photoelectric timing gates.

Time frame
Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period.
3

Subjective Functional Confidence and Performance Perception Scores

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.

Time frame
Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period.

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

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