Neuromuscular Training in Female Youth Soccer

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Injury;Sports
• Interventions: Other: Neuromuscular Training

• Registration Number: NCT06136299
• Lead Sponsor: The Methodist Hospital Research Institute

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to analyze the effectiveness of an NMT-based, injury prevention training program ('FIFA 11+ for Kids') in pre-adolescent (Ages 8 to 11) elite female soccer players by measuring neuromuscular control and motor coordination through pre-intervention and post-intervention testing. As well as monitoring the incidence of injury throughout a soccer season.

Detailed Description

This study will recruit females aged between 8-11 from several teams within a large, competitive elite soccer club. Whole teams will be assigned to either the intervention group or an age-matched control group. Participants will be informed which group they will be placed in prior to participation in the research study. As directed by their respective coaches, the intervention group will receive neuromuscular training (NMT) through an already established, validated protocol (FIFA 11+ Kids); whilst the control group will perform their standard warm-up during soccer practice sessions. The program will last for the duration of the spring soccer season (January - May 2023; 5 months). All study participants will be required to attend two evaluation sessions (pre-intervention and post-intervention) in order to measure performance in speed, agility, hop testing, dynamic balance and strength.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2022-12-07
• Primary Completion: 2023-05-20
• Study Completion: 2023-05-20
• Status Verified: 2023-11
• Study First Submitted: 2023-11-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-11-14
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-11-14
• Study First Posted: 2023-11-18
• Last Update Posted: 2023-11-18

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 93

Inclusion Criteria

• Elite female soccer players aged 8-11.
• Member of an elite youth soccer club.

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Exclusion Criteria

• Female not aged 8-11 years old.
• Not a member of a youth soccer club.
• Unable to attend the pre-intervention or post-intervention evaluation, for reasons other than injury.
• Unable to attend 80% or more of scheduled training sessions.
• If a participant discontinues playing soccer they will be excluded.
• Declines to participate in study.

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Intervention - NMT	Neuromuscular Training	This group performed a specific Neuromuscular Training (NMT) warm-up program known as FIFA 11+ Kids during their soccer practice sessions

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Dynamic balance assessment	Dynamic balance will be measured at two separate timepoints: pre-intervention (baseline) and post-intervention (within 5-months after baseline measures).	The Y-balance test is a standardized protocol consisting of lower extremity reach in the anterior, posteromedial and posterolateral directions.
Strength assessment	Strength will be measured at two separate timepoints: pre-intervention (baseline) and post-intervention (within 5-months after baseline measures).	Hamstring and quadriceps strength will be measured using a handheld dynamometer. Each strength measure will be taken 3 times with the average calculated.
Hop testing assessment	Hop performance will be measured at two separate timepoints: pre-intervention (baseline) and post-intervention (within 5-months after baseline measures).	Participants will complete a single leg hop, triple hop and a timed 6 meter hop
Agility assessment	Agility will be measured at two separate timepoints: pre-intervention (baseline) and post-intervention (within 5-months after baseline measures).	The Pro-Agility Test utilizes three cones. The farthest cone is sprinted to, the ground is touched with one hand and direction changed back to the starting cone (9.1m sprint). The ground is touched at the starting cone, direction is changed to the 'middle cone' into a 4.6m sprint. Passing the 'middle cone' is the finish line for the test. Each strength measure will be taken 3 times with the average calculated.
Kinetic jump testing assessment	Kinetic jump performance will be measured at two separate timepoints: pre-intervention (baseline) and post-intervention (within 5-months after baseline measures).	A countermovement jump and a single leg vertical jump on a force plate platform system.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Injury rates	Duration of spring soccer season, January - May (5 months).	Injury information provided by coaches and/or parents throughout the spring soccer season.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Houston Methodist Hospital; 🇺🇸 Houston, Texas, United States