Comparison of Harmoknee Versus Bounding Exercise Protocol in Football Players

NCT07331636 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: REC/RCR & AHS/24/0483
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This is a randomized clinical trial will recruit male football players aged 18-30 years who regularly participated in sports more than 3 years, with a BMI between 18.5-24.9 kg/m².Athletes with smoking habits, those following other specialized training programs, or those taking any drugs that could affect their performance, and had musculoskeletal injury in past 6 months will be excluded. The sample size will be 36 and participants will randomly divided into two groups (18 in each group): Group A: 8-week Harmoknee program, 3 sessions per week (45 minutes each, including warm-up and cool down). Group B: 8-week Bounding program, following the same schedule. The study will measure strength (1RM Test), balance (Star Excursion Test), agility (T-Test), and muscle power (5 Jump Test) at two points: pre-test (before starting) and post-test (after 8 weeks).

Conditions

Sports Physical Therapy

Keywords

Harmoknee protocol; Bounding protocol; Football players

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Strength Test: 1 Repetition Maximum

  The Epley formula is used to estimate a person's 1 Repetition Maximum (1RM) 1RM=w (1+r/30) After performing warm-up with empty barbell in back squat position for 10 times, athlete can rest for 2 minutes. Then athlete will perform same protocol with addition of 35 pounds weight and goal is to perform maximum repetitions. At final phase, weight (35 pounds) and the maximum repetitions performed by athlete will enter in Epley formula to calculate 1RM of each athlete.

  8 weeks

• Balance Test: Star Excursion Balance Test

  The athlete stands on one leg in the center of a star-shaped grid, with lines extending in 8 extending at 45 angle. While balancing on one leg, the athlete uses the other leg to reach along each line as far as possible without losing balance. The maximum reach distance in each direction is recorded. The test is performed on both legs for three times, and the average of multiple trials is taken in centimeters. Calculate the distance in each direction as a percentage by following formula. Average distance in each direction (cm) = Reach 1 + Reach 2 + Reach 3 / 3 Relative distance in each direction (%) = Average distance in each direction / leg

  8 weeks

• Agility Test: T-Test

  Four cones are arranged in a "T" shape: one at the starting point (Cone A), two at the left and right points (Cones B and C), and one at the top (Cone D).The athlete starts at Cone A and sprints to Cone D (10m).From Cone D, the athlete side-shuffles to Cone B(5m), then across to Cone C(10m), and back to Cone D(5m).Finally, the athlete backpedals from Cone D to Cone A (10m).The time taken to complete the course is recorded. Each athlete completes three attempts, and the best time recorded by stop watch is used for analysis.

  8 weeks

• Muscle Power Test: 5 Jump Test

  The athlete starts behind a starting line, standing with both feet shoulder width apart. When ready, they are to perform five consecutive broad jumps non-stop, using a forward as well as a vertical jump style that allows them to gain maximum distance. They are able to use their arms assist the explosive movement and for balance. Paint or any ink will be used under his shoes to mark his steps correctly. The total distance covered after five jumps is measured from the starting line to the point where the athlete lands on the final jump. Each athlete completes two trials, and the best distance is recorded in cm.Rest periods of 1-2 minutes are provided between trials to prevent fatigue.

  8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Group A

EXPERIMENTAL

Group A will be selected randomly and assigned to 8-week Harmoknee exercise program 3 sessions per week, each lasting 45 minutes (5mins warm-up and 5mins cool down) for assessment of strength and balance.

Other: Harmoknee protocol ( Group A )

Group B

EXPERIMENTAL

Group B will be selected randomly and assigned to 8week Bounding exercise program 3 session per week, each lasting 45 minutes (5mins warm-up and 5mins cool down) for assessment of strength, balance, agility and muscle power.

Other: Bounding protocol ( Group B )

Interventions

Harmoknee protocol ( Group A ) OTHER

Group A will be selected randomly and assigned to 8-week Harmoknee exercise program 3 sessions per week, each lasting 45 minutes (5mins warm-up and 5mins cool down) for assessment of strength and balance.

Group A

Bounding protocol ( Group B ) OTHER

Group B will be selected randomly and assigned to 8week Bounding exercise program 3 session per week, each lasting 45 minutes (5mins warm-up and 5mins cool down) for assessment of strength, balance, agility and muscle power.

Group B

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Aged between 18-30 years.
• Minimum 3 years of regular training in sports.
• Athletes containing body mass index between 18.5-24.9kg/m2

You may not qualify if:

• Players involved in any training program other than conventional training.
• Athletes having consumption of any drugs that could affect performance.
• History of musculoskeletal injury in past 6 months.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Model Town Football Club

Lahore, Punjab Province, 54000, Pakistan

Location

Related Publications (5)

• Asimakidis ND, Mukandi IN, Beato M, Bishop C, Turner AN. Assessment of Strength and Power Capacities in Elite Male Soccer: A Systematic Review of Test Protocols Used in Practice and Research. Sports Med. 2024 Oct;54(10):2607-2644. doi: 10.1007/s40279-024-02071-8. Epub 2024 Jul 18.

  PMID: 39026085 BACKGROUND

• Wing CE, Turner AN, Bishop CJ. Importance of Strength and Power on Key Performance Indicators in Elite Youth Soccer. J Strength Cond Res. 2020 Jul;34(7):2006-2014. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002446.

  PMID: 29373431 BACKGROUND

• Keiner M, Kadlubowski B, Sander A, Hartmann H, Wirth K. Effects of 10 Months of Speed, Functional, and Traditional Strength Training on Strength, Linear Sprint, Change of Direction, and Jump Performance in Trained Adolescent Soccer Players. J Strength Cond Res. 2022 Aug 1;36(8):2236-2246. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003807. Epub 2020 Aug 27.

  PMID: 32868678 BACKGROUND

• Keller S, Koob A, Corak D, von Schoning V, Born DP. How to Improve Change-of-Direction Speed in Junior Team Sport Athletes-Horizontal, Vertical, Maximal, or Explosive Strength Training? J Strength Cond Res. 2020 Feb;34(2):473-482. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002814.

  PMID: 30199451 BACKGROUND

• Franca C, Gouveia ER, Martins F, Ihle A, Henriques R, Marques A, Sarmento H, Przednowek K, Lopes H. Lower-Body Power, Body Composition, Speed, and Agility Performance among Youth Soccer Players. Sports (Basel). 2024 May 16;12(5):135. doi: 10.3390/sports12050135.

  PMID: 38787004 BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Hadiqa Mishal, DPT

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: assessor will be blind
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: randomized clinical trial

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 29, 2025
• First Posted: January 12, 2026
• Study Start: March 21, 2025
• Primary Completion: October 2, 2025
• Study Completion: November 2, 2025
• Last Updated: January 12, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)