Cervical Strength, Proprioception and Performance in Adolescent Soccer

NCT07450937 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: 2024/421
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 45
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between cervical muscle strength, proprioceptive sense, and sportive performance in adolescent soccer players.

Conditions

Football

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Cervical extension strength

  Cervical extension muscle strength will be assessed using a digital hand-held dynamometer (e.g., MicroFET2 or equivalent). Isometric cervical extension strength will be measured in a standardized seated position with the dynamometer placed on the occipital region. Participants will be instructed to perform a maximal voluntary isometric contraction against resistance for 5 seconds. Three trials will be recorded, and the highest value (in Newton, N) will be used for analysis. The outcome will be expressed as peak force (N).

  baseline a year

• Cervical flexion strength

  Cervical flexion muscle strength will be assessed using a digital hand-held dynamometer (e.g., MicroFET2 or equivalent). Isometric cervical flexion strength will be measured in a standardized supine position with the head in neutral alignment. The dynamometer will be placed on the frontal bone region. Participants will be instructed to perform a maximal voluntary isometric contraction against resistance for 5 seconds. Three trials will be performed, and the highest value will be recorded for analysis. The outcome will be expressed as peak isometric force in Newtons (N).

  baseline a year

• Proprioception analysis

  Cervical proprioception was assessed using a laser pointer system (Motion Guidance Clinic Kit, Motion Guidance LLC, Denver, CO, USA). The laser device was mounted on the participant's head, and participants were seated comfortably at a distance of 90 cm from the target. With the participant's eyes closed, the examiner positioned the head in the starting position and asked the participant to memorize this position. Participants then performed maximal right and left cervical rotation and returned to the starting position without guidance, verbally confirming when they perceived proper realignment. Each movement was repeated three times. The distance between the final position of the laser beam and the center of the target was measured, and the arithmetic mean of the three trials was recorded as the deviation distance (cm). To calculate the deviation angle, the arctangent formula (deviation distance / distance between the laser and the target) was used.

  baseline a year

Interventions

Observational Assessment OTHER

Demographic data; cervical muscle strength assesment with a digital hand dynamometer,; deep cervical flexor strength assesment with a biofeedback device; cervical proprioception assesment joint position sense error test; Sportive performance assesment sit-to-stand, vertical jump, 20-m sprint, 30-second push-up, 30-second sit-up, Biering-Sorensen, flamingo balance, and Burpee tests.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 12 Years - 17 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

45 adolescent football players

You may qualify if:

• Aged between 10 and 19 years, who had a regularly renewed football license, had been playing football professionally for at least one year, and were able to complete the assessment protocols

You may not qualify if:

• Any orthopedic, neurological, rheumatologic, or cardiovascular disorders, or those who had undergone surgical intervention within the previous year

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ondokuz Mayıs University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ondokuz Mayıs University

Samsun, Samsun, 55139, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Assistant, PhD(c)

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 27, 2026
• First Posted: March 5, 2026
• Study Start: May 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: May 1, 2025
• Study Completion: July 1, 2025
• Last Updated: March 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)