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

NCT06800079 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: EBT_HS_02
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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).

Conditions

Physical Performance Parameters

Keywords

Elastic Bands; Resistance Training; Women; Football; Performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Knee extension and flexion isometric strength

  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.

  The evaluations will be conducted in the week prior (week 0) and after the intervention (week 9).

• Vertical jump

  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.

  The evaluations will be conducted in the week prior (week 0) and after the intervention (week 9).

• Change of direction sprint

  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.

  The evaluations will be conducted in the week prior (week 0) and after the intervention (week 9).

Study Arms (2)

Experimental: Elastic Band Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Athletes that will participate in a bi-weekly elastic band resistance training program.

Other: EBT

Control: Standard Group

NO INTERVENTION

Athletes that will continue doing their standard training regiment.

Interventions

EBT OTHER

Elastic Band Resistance Training

Experimental: Elastic Band Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Henrique Sousa: lead
• University Institute of Maia: collaborator
• Portugal Football School, Federação Portuguesa de Futebol: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Maia

Maia, Porto District, 4475-690, Maia, Portugal

RECRUITING

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Henrique Sousa, MsC.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 18, 2025
• First Posted: January 29, 2025
• Study Start: January 29, 2025
• Primary Completion: April 11, 2025
• Study Completion: April 28, 2025
• Last Updated: January 29, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-01

Locations

PT (1)