Sensorimotor Training to Enhance Performance - the STEP AHEAD Program
ConditionIce Hockey Players
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age12-40
SponsorSport Injury Prevention Research Centre
About this trial
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).
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
None
Disqualifiers
None
Trial design
Design model
Sequential
Treatments tested in this trial
sensorimotor and neuromuscular training
Other interventionSensorimotor 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.
Typical off season ice hockey training
Other interventionTypical training for ice hockey players off season
Treatment groups
250 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Sensorimotor and neuromuscular trainingExperimental treatment 2 interventions
Group B: Typical off season trainingActive comparator 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Craniocervical flexion
mmHg, the ability of the participant to perform a craniovertebral flexion task in a controlled way and maintain the position for a minimum of 3 seconds.
Time frame
0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years2
Dynamic Visual Acuity
logMAR, Represents the ability of the patient to see clearly with head motion as per Schneider et al 2019=8
Time frame
0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years3
Vestibular Ocular Motor Screen (VOMS)
Symptom provocation on tests of vestibulo ocular and oculomotor function, rated on a scale of 0-10 where 0=no symptoms and 10= the worse imaginable, Mucha et al 2014
Time frame
0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years4
Advanced Functional Gait Assessment
/48, 16 tests of dynamic balance each rated on a scale of 0-3 with 0 repress unable to complete the task and 3 is able to perfectly complete the task.
Time frame
0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 yearsSecondary outcomes
1
Cervical spine range of motion
1=full range of motion, 0=limited range of motion
Time frame
0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years2
Anterolateral flexion strength
kilograms (kg), average of three trials in a rotated position to either the right or left and defined according to the position of the head
Time frame
0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years3
cervical flexor endurance test
Seconds, the length of time the participant can lift the head in craniovertebral flexion
Time frame
0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years4
cervical flexion rotation test
1=positive, 0=negative, a measure of upper cervical spine dysfunction with a positive test suggesting cervicogenic headache, limited range of motion in full flexion by \>20 degrees, measured to the right and left
Time frame
0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 yearsSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov