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Dynamic Balance, Flexibility and Agility as Predictors of Lower-extremity Injury in Football Players

Completed
Conditions
LOWER-LIMB INJURY
Interventions
Diagnostic Test: Y Balance Test
Diagnostic Test: Sit and Reach Test
Diagnostic Test: "Maximum Legs Abduction" Test
Diagnostic Test: S_RAG (reactive agility)" Test
Diagnostic Test: S_CODS (change of direction speed) Test
Registration Number
NCT04232527
Lead Sponsor
Dragan Mijatović
Brief Summary

This research investigates the reliability of tests to assess injury risk. Participants will be tested at the beginning of the survey and will be monitored for over 5 months. Participants will take 4 types of tests related to dynamic balance, flexibility, and agility. Subsequently, the relationship between test results and the incidence of injury in the subjects will be analyzed. If the tests prove reliable, they will be included in standard tests to assess the risk of injury to football players.

Detailed Description

Too often, injuring athlete results in a large amount of money being spent on rehabilitation. In a world of sports where the speed of recovery means a lot, ways are sought first and foremost to minimize the frequency of non-contact injuries. To prevent certain things, it is important to know the initial state, therefore, to see if certain factors at the outset indicate to us that there is a certain imbalance that can result in the injury. Since we live in a country where sports clubs are unable to spend large amounts of money on rehabilitation, it would be of great benefit to find reliable tests that can help to prevent an injury. Studies have shown that tests of balance, flexibility, and agility can help to prevent injury to football players in other countries. The same tests will be applied to Premier League footballers in Bosnia and Herzegovina and their effectiveness in assessing the degree of risk of lower limb injuries will be tested. If they prove reliable, they can become a standard in the prevention of these injuries, that is, they will help in the development of injury prevention programs, which would be of great benefit to both clubs and football players.

The study aims to determine whether dynamic balance and flexibility tests can be used as reliable predictors of lower limb injuries in football players and whether reduced agility influences the increased risk of injury.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Male
Target Recruitment
110
Inclusion Criteria
  • Professional players
  • Age above 18 years
  • Voluntary access to research
Exclusion Criteria
  • Age under 18,
  • Refusal to take the research,
  • Remaining in the club until the end of the examination,
  • Errors in keeping records of injuries by responsible persons,
  • Injuries to the lower limbs in the last ten days,
  • Vestibular disorders.

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Professional FootballersY Balance TestAbout 110 players (out of about 400 competing in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina) would be included in the research.
Professional Footballers"Maximum Legs Abduction" TestAbout 110 players (out of about 400 competing in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina) would be included in the research.
Professional FootballersSit and Reach TestAbout 110 players (out of about 400 competing in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina) would be included in the research.
Professional FootballersS_RAG (reactive agility)" TestAbout 110 players (out of about 400 competing in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina) would be included in the research.
Professional FootballersS_CODS (change of direction speed) TestAbout 110 players (out of about 400 competing in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina) would be included in the research.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
The incidence5 month

The main outcome measure is the incidence, that is, the number of newly injured players over almost five months.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
S_CODS (change of direction speed) Test2 minutes

S_CODS (change of direction speed) is a test that allows athletes to outperform their opponents in situations where they can pre-define a movement pattern.

Sit and Reach test5 minutes

The Sit and Reach Test is a common muscle and lower back flexion test and is now widely used as a general flexibility test.

Y balance test15 minutes

Mobility will be tested through 3 trial and 3 valid measurements of the lower limbs in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions.

Maximum legs abduction Test5 minutes

A seat abduction test is a test to assess the flexibility of the groin regions. The footballer extends his legs as far as possible (stretches). The distance between the inner malleolus is measured in centimeters tape.

S_RAG (reactive agility) Test10 minutes

S_RAG (reactive agility) Test is emphasized when athletes perform a change of direction while responding to an external visual stimulus.

Measuring the length of the legs2 minutes

Anthropological measures will be taken (from the spin of the iliac anterior superior to the middle of the inner malleolus).

Questionnaire to evaluate the current situation with lower limb injuries in football players5 minutes

It consists of 20 questions that ask about the condition of the lower limbs in tested football players.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

NK "Å iroki Brijeg"

🇧🇦

Å iroki Brijeg, Bosnia and Herzegovina

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