Sensorimotor Training to Enhance Performance - the STEP AHEAD Program

NCT07402746 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: STEP AHEAD
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 250
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to evaluate the effects of SM/NM training in ice hockey players. The specific questions include: 1) typical performance on sensorimotor and neuromuscular (SM/NM) tests 2) evaluate SM/NM training on ice hockey skills performance and SM/NM tests, 3) evaluate SM/NM control to prevent concussions and injuries Participants will: Consent and complete a series of SM/NM tests. Participate in their typical training for 4 weeks. Repeat the SM/NM tests. Participate in SM/NM training for 4 weeks as part of their off season training program. Repeat the SM/NM tests and on ice skills testing. Record any injuries and concussions that they sustain over the next season. Repeat the SM/NM tests and on ice skills tests at the start of the 2025 off season training (estimated May - July of 2025).

Conditions

Ice Hockey Players

Keywords

training; Sensorimotor; Neuromuscular; Prevention

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Craniocervical flexion

  mmHg, the ability of the participant to perform a craniovertebral flexion task in a controlled way and maintain the position for a minimum of 3 seconds.

  0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years

• Dynamic Visual Acuity

  logMAR, Represents the ability of the patient to see clearly with head motion as per Schneider et al 2019=8

  0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years

• Vestibular Ocular Motor Screen (VOMS)

  Symptom provocation on tests of vestibulo ocular and oculomotor function, rated on a scale of 0-10 where 0=no symptoms and 10= the worse imaginable, Mucha et al 2014

  0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years

• Advanced Functional Gait Assessment

  /48, 16 tests of dynamic balance each rated on a scale of 0-3 with 0 repress unable to complete the task and 3 is able to perfectly complete the task.

  0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years

• Transition Agility Skate

  Seconds, Outcome of the transition agility skate on the Hockey Canada skills test

  0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years

Secondary Outcomes (10)

• Cervical spine range of motion

  0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years

• Anterolateral flexion strength

  0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years

• cervical flexor endurance test

  0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years

• cervical flexion rotation test

  0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years

• head perturbation test

  0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years

Study Arms (2)

Sensorimotor and neuromuscular training

EXPERIMENTAL

Sensorimotor and neuromuscular training added in addition to typical off season ice hockey training as outlined in the typical training arm.

Other: sensorimotor and neuromuscular training; Other: Typical off season ice hockey training

Typical off season training

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Typical of season training includes strength and conditioning, ice hockey on ice drills as per the Crash Conditioning typical training.

Other: Typical off season ice hockey training

Interventions

sensorimotor and neuromuscular training OTHER

Sensorimotor and neuromuscular training exercises aimed at training the cervical spine neuromuscular control, vestibular system and oculomotor system in addition to ice hockey specific training the incorporates higher level integrated functional activities of these integrated systems. This will be performed at the same frequency as their typical training - four days per week in the gym, one day of yoga or recovery as well as on ice sessions.

Sensorimotor and neuromuscular training

Typical off season ice hockey training OTHER

Typical training for ice hockey players off season

Sensorimotor and neuromuscular training; Typical off season training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 12 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may not qualify if:

• N/A

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre: lead

Study Sites (1)

Concussion Rehabilitation Laboratory

Calgary, Alberta, T2N1N4, Canada

RECRUITING

Central Study Contacts

Kathryn Schneider, PT, PhD

CONTACT

4033892245; kjschnei@ucalgary.ca

Michaela Chadder

CONTACT

4032205635; michaela.chadder@ucalgary.ca

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Due to the nature of the trial it is not possible to mask the participants or the outcome assessors. However, the outcome assessors and participants will be blinded to the previous scores on the outcomes.
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: SEQUENTIAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor, Clinician Scientist (Physiotherapist)

Model Details: Initial control intervention for four weeks of typical off season training followed by a second step where the sensorimotor and neuromuscular training is introduced.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 24, 2024
• First Posted: February 11, 2026
• Study Start: May 18, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Last Updated: February 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)