Prevention of Injuries by an Exercise Program - a RCT

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Exertional Lower Leg Pain; Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

• Registration Number: NCT00348647
• Lead Sponsor: Amager Hospital

Brief Summary

Overuse injuries are a major concern for physical active individuals. Study hypothesis is that an exercise programme based on known intrinsic risk factors can prevent overuse injuries in soldiers undergoing basic military training.

Detailed Description

PURPOSE: Overuse injuries are a major concern for physical active individuals engaged in endurance type activities. This is especially true for soldiers during basic military training or subjects with a sedentary lifestyle taking up exercise to prevent disease, as they are vulnerable for sustaining an overuse injury. Contradictory to traumatic injuries, little is known about the prevention of overuse injuries using a training program. This study evaluates the preventive effect of a training program based on known intrinsic risk factors for the occurrence of anterior knee pain and shin pain in soldiers undergoing basic military training. We also evaluate the effect on physical performance.

METHODS: From December 2004 - March 2006 1000 soldiers undergoing basic military training divided into 24 platoons are cluster randomised into a prevention-training (PRE) group or a placebo-training (PLA) group. The PRE group will perform exercises based on known intrinsic risk factors namely strength, flexibility and coordination of the lower extremity, while the PLA group will perform exercises for the upper body. Both programmes consists of 5 exercises and will be performed 3 times a week during a 12 weeks period. All subjects will prospectively be examined by the same observer, who will be blinded to the allocation.

OUTCOME: primary outcome: reduction in anterior knee pain and shin pain.

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2004-12
• Study Start: 2004-12
• Study Completion: 2006-03
• Study First Submitted: 2006-07-03
• Study First Submitted QC: 2006-07-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2006-07-03
• Study First Posted: 2006-07-04
• Last Update Posted: 2006-07-04

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: UNKNOWN
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 900

Inclusion Criteria

• Basic military training in the Royal Danish Guards.
• Passed military medical board.

Exclusion Criteria

• Injury before start of intervention

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
reduction in shin pain
reduction in anterior knee pain

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
physical performance
reduktion in overuse injuries