The Effects of Neuromuscular Training on Knee Biomechanics During Jump-Landing Among College Basketball Players Post ACL Reconstruction and Rehabilitation

NCT07314931 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: USM/JEPeM/KK/25030307
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Basketball players often injure the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a key structure that stabilizes the knee. Even after surgery and standard rehabilitation, many athletes continue to have problems with knee stability, movement control, and performance during jumping and landing. These issues increase the risk of re-injury and can limit their ability to return to competition. Neuromuscular training (NMT) is a type of exercise program that focuses on improving balance, muscle coordination, and movement patterns. It uses activities such as jump-landing drills, balance tasks, agility exercises, and core training. Previous research shows that NMT can help athletes land more safely, reduce harmful knee movements, and improve sport performance. However, little is known about its long-term benefits in college basketball players who are more than one year post-ACL surgery. This study aims to evaluate whether a 12-week NMT program, added to standard basketball training, can improve knee biomechanics, stability, and performance in college basketball players with a history of ACL reconstruction. Thirty participants will be randomly assigned to either an NMT group or a control group. Both groups will complete basketball training, but only the NMT group will receive the additional neuromuscular exercises. Knee movement will be measured using 3D motion capture and force plates, and performance will be tested through vertical jumps and other sport-specific tasks. The main outcomes will include knee angles during landing, ground reaction forces, dynamic stability, and jump height. The expected outcome is that athletes who undergo NMT will demonstrate safer landing strategies, better knee control, and improved performance compared to those who only receive standard basketball training. These findings may help coaches and healthcare providers design safer, more effective rehabilitation programs for athletes after ACL surgery.

Conditions

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation; Knee Injuries; Biomechanical Data; Athletic Performance; Physical Fitness; Neuromuscular Training; Basketball Players

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Peak knee valgus angle during single-leg jump-landing (degrees)

  Knee valgus angle will be measured using 3D motion capture during a standardized single-leg jump-landing task. The primary endpoint is the peak knee valgus angle (°) during the landing phase, averaged across 3 successful trials.

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Time to stabilization after landing (seconds)

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)

• Center of pressure displacement after landing, medial-lateral (millimeters)

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)

• Peak knee flexion angle during single-leg jump-landing (degrees)

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)

• Center of pressure displacement after landing, anterior-posterior (millimeters)

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)

• Countermovement jump height (centimeters)

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)

Other Outcomes (2)

• Percentage of prescribed neuromuscular training (NMT) sessions completed

  Throughout the 12-week intervention period

• Number of participants with ≥1 intervention-related adverse event

  Throughout the 12-week intervention period

Study Arms (2)

Neuromuscular Training (NMT) plus Standard Basketball Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will receive a 12-week neuromuscular training (NMT) program in addition to their regular basketball training. The NMT program will include balance tasks, jump-landing drills, agility exercises, and core strengthening. Sessions will be conducted in parallel with standard basketball practice.

Behavioral: Neuromuscular Training (NMT)

Standard Basketball Training

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this arm will continue their usual basketball training program for 12 weeks without additional neuromuscular training. Training content and schedule will follow standard team practice routines. This arm will serve as a comparator to evaluate the added effect of NMT.

Interventions

Neuromuscular Training (NMT) BEHAVIORAL

The neuromuscular training (NMT) program is a 12-week behavioral intervention performed 2-3 times per week in addition to regular basketball training. It includes balance tasks, jump-landing drills, agility exercises, and core strengthening to improve knee stability and movement control after ACL reconstruction

Neuromuscular Training (NMT) plus Standard Basketball Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 25 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Only male college basketball players aged 18-25 years, at least 1 year post-ACL reconstruction, are eligible to participate.
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18-25 years
• History of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery at least 12 months before enrollment
• Cleared by physician for sports participation
• Willing to provide informed consent and comply with study procedures

You may not qualify if:

• Other major lower-limb injuries (e.g., meniscus, cartilage, fractures) in the past 12 months
• Current knee pain, swelling, or instability that prevents safe participation
• Neurological, cardiovascular, or systemic conditions that may affect training safety
• Participation in another structured neuromuscular training program within the past 6 months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universiti Sains Malaysia: lead

Study Sites (1)

Chengde Medical University, Affiliated Hospital

Chengde, Hebei, 067000, China

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Knee Injuries

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Leg Injuries; Wounds and Injuries

Central Study Contacts

JINFA GU, PhD candidate

CONTACT

+60 111232 608; GUJINFA@student.usm.my

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: This is an open-label study; both participants and investigators are aware of the intervention being administered.
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: FACTORIAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group will complete neuromuscular training (NMT) in addition to their regular basketball training, while the control group will continue with regular basketball training only. Both groups will follow the 12-week program at the same time, and their results will be compared to see whether NMT improves knee movement, stability, and sport performance after ACL reconstruction.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 15, 2025
• First Posted: January 2, 2026
• Study Start: December 10, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 5, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 15, 2026
• Last Updated: January 7, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

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

Locations

CN (1)