In-Season Prevalence and Management of Hip and Groin Injuries in Competitive Athletes

NCT07108647 | Not Yet Recruiting Phase 1

• 1 other identifier: REB25-0338
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This study is focused on helping athletes with a common hip condition called femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome. FAI syndrome occurs when abnormal bone shapes around the hip joint cause friction during movement, leading to pain, reduced performance, and, over time, more serious injury. While this issue is well-studied in male professional athletes, little is known about how it affects female and collegiate athletes, or how to prevent it from worsening. In this study, athletes diagnosed with FAI syndrome will participate in a 12-week in-season exercise program designed to reduce pain, improve hip strength and movement, and help prevent further injury-all while continuing their regular sports training. Participants will be randomly assigned to either:

• An exercise group (receiving the intervention), or
• A time-and-attention control group (regular check-ins and education). At the end of the study, the control group will have the option to access the exercise program. The study will track changes in pain, physical performance, injury recurrence, and athlete satisfaction with the program. This research aims to improve how we manage hip injuries in athletes and help keep them active during the competitive season.

Conditions

Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome

Keywords

athletes; competitive; adolescent; young adult

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• Proportion of Agreement to Screening

  the number of participants whom agree to be screened/the number of participants approached for recruitment

  up to 9 months - study time frame is 12 months, with the last participant able to enroll at month 9 to allow for 12 weeks of intervention

• Eligibility Proportion

  the number screened positive for inclusion (evidence of FAI syndrome)/number of participants who agreed to be screened (consented)

  up to 9 months - study time frame is 12 months, with the last participant able to enroll at month 9 to allow for 12 weeks of intervention

• Consent Proportion

  Number of participants screened positive and agreed to participate in intervention/number screened positive for inclusion

  up to 9 months - study time frame is 12 months, with the last participant able to enroll at month 9 to allow for 12 weeks of intervention

• Randomization Proportion

  The number of participants randomized/the number of participants screened positive and agreed to participate

  up to 9 months - study time frame is 12 months, with the last participant able to enroll at month 9 to allow for 12 weeks of intervention

• Trial-Arm Selection Proportion

  The number agreed to each trial arm after randomization/the number of participants randomized

  up to 9 months - study time frame is 12 months, with the last participant able to enroll at month 9 to allow for 12 weeks of intervention

• Attrition Proportion

  The number of participants who drop out of study/number of participants randomized in each arm

  up to 9 months - study time frame is 12 months, with the last participant able to enroll at month 9 to allow for 12 weeks of intervention

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-33)

  12 weeks

• Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Tool (HAGOS)

  12 weeks

• Make (Isometric) Strength Testing of the Hip

  12 weeks

• Passive Range of Motion

  12 weeks

• Special Test Findings

  12 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Exercise Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in the experimental arm will complete a 12-week, in-season progressive exercise program designed to improve hip strength, motor control, and function. Participants will complete a training session with a study trained clinician prior to beginning each respective phase of the program, either in person, or virtually per the participant preference. Participants will have the option to complete the intervention following a guided video for each phase, or on their own, at a location of their choosing, a minimum of three times per week.

Other: Progressive Hip Strengthening Program

Time and Attention Control

SHAM COMPARATOR

Participants in the control arm will complete a 12-week, three-phase progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) program, adapted from the Jacobson method. Participants will complete a training session with a study trained clinician prior to beginning each respective phase of the program, either in person, or virtually per the participant preference. Participants will have the option to complete the intervention following a guided audio for each phase, at a location of their choosing, a minimum of three times per week.

Other: Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Interventions

Progressive Hip Strengthening Program OTHER

This 12-week, in-season exercise intervention is designed for athletes with FAI syndrome and consists of three progressive phases. Phase 1 (Weeks 1-4): Focus on neuromuscular re-education and motor control using low-load exercises to improve hip and core activation, alignment, and stability. Phase 2 (Weeks 5-8): Targeted strengthening with increased load and movement complexity, emphasizing single-leg control, endurance, and pelvic stability. Phase 3 (Weeks 9-12): Integration of dynamic control, proprioception, and sport-specific movement patterns to support return to performance. Exercises target gluteus medius, gluteus maximus, core musculature, and functional movement systems. Participants complete the program \>=3 times per week. Weekly questionnaires will monitor symptoms, adherence, and other management (e.g., physiotherapy).

Exercise Intervention

Progressive Muscle Relaxation OTHER

Participants in the time and attention control group will complete a 12-week, three-phase progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) program based on the Jacobson method. Phase 1 introduces isolated muscle tensing and relaxing to build awareness of muscle tension and promote body-mind connection. Phase 2 focuses on sequential relaxation of muscle groups, enhancing control and reducing stress. Phase 3 transitions to full-body relaxation through guided breathing and visualization techniques. Sessions are practiced 2-3 times per week using audio guides, with weekly check-ins from study staff. Symptom response, adherence, and participant experience are tracked throughout the season.

Time and Attention Control

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 14 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• currently identifies as a "competitive athlete" based on the LTAD
• aged 14-40
• be free from any significant lower extremity injury (hip, groin, knee, ankle foot) in the past 6 months that resulted in \>1 months of time loss or current inability to fully participate in sport at the time of baseline testing
• If participants meet the above criteria, can be screened:
• \- completed bilateral hip screen, including imaging, and identified as having FAI syndrome with no degenerative joint changes (if meet the remaining criteria,

You may not qualify if:

• Are currently experiencing or recovering from a lower extremity injury that resulted in \>1 month time lost within the past 6 months
• are pregnant or may become pregnant during the study (due to radiographic imaging exposure)
• \* participants will be excluded from eligibility of RCT if they have evidence of moderate to severe osteoarthritis on imaging (Tönnis grade 2-3)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Calgary: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Femoracetabular Impingement

Interventions

Autogenic Training

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Hypnosis; Mind-Body Therapies; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

• Carolyn Emery, PT, PhD

  Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, Chair

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Maitland Martin, MSc, CAT(C), ATC

CONTACT

403-220-5332; hockeyhip@ucalgary.ca

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: phase 1
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 17, 2025
• First Posted: August 7, 2025
• Study Start: August 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Last Updated: August 7, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share