ESSKA/ESMA ACL Injury Prevention Program in Czech Sport

NCT07019727 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 0944/2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to address the rising incidence of ACL injuries, particularly among adolescents, by developing and implementing a comprehensive prevention program based on the evidence-based "ACL Prevention for ALL" framework recommended by ESSKA-ESMA. The project focuses on muscle strengthening, flexibility, coordination, proper movement techniques, and a multidisciplinary approach involving coaches, physiotherapists, and physicians. Through targeted exercise modules, education, and dynamic evaluation-including 2D motion analysis-the study seeks to reduce ACL injuries, enhance movement safety, and enable individualized training plans by identifying and correcting muscle and biomechanical imbalances.

Conditions

Double Leg Vertical Jump (DLVJ); Single Leg Squat (SLS); Single Leg Drop Landing (SLDL); Drop Jump Test (DJ Test)

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Peak knee abduction moment

  The strongest predictor of ACL injury risk according to the 'ligament dominance theory' and also the most frequently reported as changed after an IPP (Injury Prevention Program). Advantage: Quantifiable, measurable using 3D analysis and force platforms, and sensitive to changes.

  4 months

• Peak knee flexion angle

  According to the 'quadriceps dominance theory,' a low angle increases the risk of ACL injury. Meta-analyses show an increase in the angle after IPP. Advantage: Easily measurable and consistently monitored in the literature.

  4 months

• Dynamic knee valgus (DKV)

  Dynamic valgus is often described as a key injury mechanism, although its measurement is more complex and less standardized. It can be supplemented with specific angles such as knee abduction angle at initial contact (IC) and medial knee displacement.

  4 months

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Peak hip flexion angle & hip flexion at initial contact

  4 months

• Vertical Ground Reaction Force (vGRF)

  4 months

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants of the program will attend a workshop led by a trained physiotherapist or strength and conditioning coach, conducted under medical supervision. Based on the ESSKA/ESMA methodology 'ACL Prevention for All', a total of 12 five-minute exercise units will be included.

Procedure: ESSKA/ESMA 'ACL Prevention for All' methodology

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

The control group will consist of a total of 50 individuals from selected sports in which the prevention program will not be implemented. Testing in this group will take place at the same time as in the athletes undergoing the program, with a follow-up test conducted after four months.

Interventions

ESSKA/ESMA 'ACL Prevention for All' methodology PROCEDURE

A workshop led by a trained physiotherapist/strength and conditioning coach and conducted under medical supervision. Based on the ESSKA/ESMA 'ACL Prevention for All' methodology, a total of 12 exercise units lasting 5 minutes each will be included.

Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 17 Years - 20 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age group: Participants aged 17-20 years
• Sports activity: Individuals actively engaged in sports with a high risk of ACL injury
• Health status: Participants with no or minimal previous knee joint injuries that do not limit their current physical activity
• Willingness to participate: Agreement to take part in the prevention program, including regular training and assessments
• Informed consent: Signed informed consent for participation in the program and testing procedures; for minors, consent must be signed by legal guardians

You may not qualify if:

• Current injury: Individuals with a current knee joint injury requiring treatment or surgery
• Chronic conditions: Participants with chronic diseases or conditions that may affect the outcome of injury prevention (e.g., congenital abnormalities, neuromuscular disorders, or cardiovascular diseases)
• Insufficient consent: Individuals who are unable or unwilling to provide written informed consent
• Irregular participation: Individuals who do not comply with regular participation in the training program or assessments

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Masaryk University: lead
• Brno University Hospital: collaborator
• St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Czech Republic: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University

Brno, 62700, Czechia

RECRUITING

Central Study Contacts

Michael Lujc, MUDr.

CONTACT

722101065; lujc.michael@fnbrno.cz

Filip Huceček, MUDr.

CONTACT

filip.hudecek@fnusa.cz

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 5, 2025
• First Posted: June 13, 2025
• Study Start: June 12, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 31, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Last Updated: September 30, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL

Locations

CZ (1)