Optimizing Hamstring Rehabilitation With Amino Acids

NCT07086209 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Unizar
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 25
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Hamstring injuries are among the most prevalent and troublesome injuries in athletes, particularly those engaged in sports that require high-speed movements such as sprinting, kicking, and rapid changes in direction. The hamstring muscles, which include the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus, are essential for powerful lower limb actions, and thus, any injury to these muscles can significantly impact an athlete's performance and recovery. These injuries often occur during eccentric muscle contractions, such as when the muscles lengthen rapidly under tension, as seen in running and sprinting. According to epidemiological studies, hamstring strains account for a substantial portion of sports-related injuries, with hamstring strains being the most commonly reported injury in disciplines such as football, soccer, rugby, and athletics. In professional football, for instance, hamstring injuries account for approximately 12% of all injuries and represent the most frequent muscle strain, underlining their significance in the context of athletic performance.

Conditions

Seamless Return to Sports

Keywords

Hamstring Rehabilitation; Return to play; Amino Acids; Football

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Hamstring Muscle Strength

  Isometric knee flexion strength measured at 15° and 90° using the ForHealth Kit to assess change from baseline.

  Baseline, Mid-Rehabilitation (Week 3), Post-Rehabilitation (Week 6)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• MRI Findings

  Baseline and Post-Rehabilitation (Week 6)

Other Outcomes (1)

• Adherence to Rehabilitation

  Throughout 6-week intervention period

Study Arms (2)

Therapeutic Exercise + Amino Acid Supplementation

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will undergo a structured 6-week therapeutic exercise rehabilitation program combined with daily oral branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation (10 g per day, divided into two doses: pre-training and post-training). The exercise program includes progressive isometric, eccentric, plyometric, and sprint-specific training to optimize hamstring recovery.

Dietary Supplement: Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplement; Behavioral: Therapeutic Exercise Program

Therapeutic Exercise Only

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Arm Description: Participants in this arm will undergo the same structured 6-week therapeutic exercise rehabilitation program without any amino acid supplementation. The exercise program includes progressive isometric, eccentric, plyometric, and sprint-specific training for hamstring recovery.

Dietary Supplement: Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplement; Behavioral: Therapeutic Exercise Program

Interventions

Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplement DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Oral BCAA blend (leucine, isoleucine, valine), 10 g/day divided into two doses, pre- and post-training, for 6 weeks.

Also known as: Therapeutic Exercise + Amino Acid Supplementation

Therapeutic Exercise + Amino Acid Supplementation; Therapeutic Exercise Only

Therapeutic Exercise Program BEHAVIORAL

6-week structured program including isometric, eccentric, plyometric, and sprint-specific exercises.

Therapeutic Exercise + Amino Acid Supplementation; Therapeutic Exercise Only

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: Up to 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male football players aged 18 to 35 years.
• Active players from eight clubs in the Iraqi Football League.
• MRI-confirmed partial hamstring muscle injury.
• No participation in other ongoing rehabilitation programs.

You may not qualify if:

• History of hamstring injury in the past six months.
• Any other musculoskeletal injuries affecting lower limbs.
• Contraindications for MRI scanning (e.g., metal implants, pacemakers).
• Any existing neurological or metabolic conditions affecting muscle recovery.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad de Zaragoza: lead

Related Links

• pubmed

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Exercise Therapy

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: SEQUENTIAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD Student

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 18, 2025
• First Posted: July 25, 2025
• Study Start: September 19, 2025
• Primary Completion: October 19, 2025
• Study Completion: October 20, 2025
• Last Updated: July 25, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share