Elastic Band Training Effects on Knee Strength and Performance in Female Football Players

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Physical Performance Parameters

• Registration Number: NCT06800079
• Lead Sponsor: Henrique Sousa

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess the effects of an 8-week strength training program with elastic bands on several physical components in female football players at the U15, U19, and Senior levels. The main question it aims to answer is:

Will a specific elastic band resistance training help improve some components of physical performance in female football players?

Participants will perform a bi-weekly elastic band resistance training program lasting 20 minutes per session over 8 weeks. This program will be incorporated into their in-season regimen, with assessments conducted in the week prior (week 0) and after the intervention (week 9).

Detailed Description

This study will involve U15´, U19´ and adult female football (soccer) players doing a specific elastic band training plan over a period of 8 weeks. This plan will be done twice a week and will consist of 6 exercises, divided into two training sessions, each lasting approximately 20 minutes.

The week before the study begins (week 0), a demonstration will be given of the assessments and training plan that will be carried out during the following weeks, so that the participants have a better idea of what will happen. In addition, their height and weight will also have to be measured, followed by the first assessments. They will also fill in a questionnaire about their training habits and injury history.

They will then be randomized into two possible groups: the experimental group (EG) and the control group (CG). If the participant stays in the EG, she will have to do the above protocol and if she stays in the CG, she will only have to do the assessments, which will be done in the familiarization week (week 0) and the ninth week (week 9).

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-01
• Study First Submitted: 2025-01-18
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-01-23
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-01-23
• Study Start: 2025-01-29
• Study First Posted: 2025-01-29
• Last Update Posted: 2025-01-29
• Primary Completion: 2025-04-11
• Study Completion: 2025-04-28

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: Female
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

• belong to the U-15, U-19 or Senior level of a women's football (soccer) club;
• be apart of a football championship (district or national)

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Knee extension and flexion isometric strength	The evaluations will be conducted in the week prior (week 0) and after the intervention (week 9).	Maximal isometric knee extension and flexion force will be measured using a handheld dynamometer (DynaMo Plus, VALD Performance, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia). For the knee extension assessment, participants will be in a seated position, whereas during the knee flexion evaluation, the participants will be in a prone position. To generate their maximal torque, the dynamometer chain length will be adjusted so that their knee angle will be at ∼60° and ∼30°, for the knee extension and flexion, respectively. Participants will then apply a maximal isometric effort, maintaining it for 5s, without any subsidiary body movements.
Vertical jump	The evaluations will be conducted in the week prior (week 0) and after the intervention (week 9).	Jump height will be evaluated using force plates (ForceDecks, Vald). The players will perform the countermovement jump, where they will begin from an upright position; a rapid downward movement to a knee angle of ∼90°, immediately transitioning to propel themselves upwards into the air.
Change of direction sprint	The evaluations will be conducted in the week prior (week 0) and after the intervention (week 9).	The Modified T-Test will be implemented to assess change of direction sprint. This evaluation has within itself directional changes such as forward sprinting, left and right-side shuffling, and backpedaling. Photocells (WhittyGate, Microgate, Bolzano, Italy) will be used for a more precise time count.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Maia; 🇵🇹 Maia, Porto, Portugal