Myofascial Release Combined With FIFA 11+: Effects on Hamstring Flexibility and Injury Risk

NCT07484698 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: REC-01025 Muhammand Idrees
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 28
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Football is a physically demanding sport that involves frequent jumping, cutting, and sudden changes in direction, making players vulnerable to various musculoskeletal injuries especially around the knee(1, 2). If not properly addressed, such mechanical demands can place excessive stress on key structures like the Hamstring, ACL and MCL, increasing the risk of injury during high-impact movement(1). Hamstring strains are one of the most common injuries among football players, with significant impact on their performance and career longevity(1). These injuries are especially prevalent due to the high-intensity nature of football, involving rapid sprinting, cutting, and changes of direction. Studies have shown that hamstring strains account for a substantial proportion of all injuries in football, ranging from 12% to 20% of total injuries in professional and amateur levels. Given the high rate of recurrence and the long recovery times associated with hamstring injuries, there has been growing interest in injury prevention programs aimed at reducing the risk of these injuries. Many of these injuries stem from deficits in dynamic balance, inadequate landing strategies, and reduced strength in the lower limbs(3). When such deficits persist, they increase biomechanical load on the knee joint, raising the likelihood of ligament injuries during explosive actions(4). By addressing these movement impairments, programs like FIFA 11+ aim to improve neuromuscular coordination and reduce injury rates among football players

Conditions

Hamstring Injury

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Injury Surveillance Form

  Players' baseline information form, Injury report form, exposure report form.

  six weeks

• Manual Muscle Testing (MMT) for strength

  to assess the muscles' strength on a scale of 5

  Six weeks

• Passive Straight Leg Raise (SLR) with Goniometer

  to assess hamstring flexibility

  Six weeks

• Single-Leg Hop Test for Distance

  (To assess functional outcome)

  Six weeks

Study Arms (2)

intervention group

EXPERIMENTAL

The intervention group will participate in the FIFA 11+ injury prevention program, which includes a structured series of exercises designed to improve strength, balance, and neuromuscular control. The program will be conducted three times per week for Six weeks as part of their regular training schedule. Myofascial Release: Manual therapist will perform standardized MFR techniques on hamstring fascia prior to FIFA 11+ sessions, lasting 10-15 minutes.

Other: FIFA 11+ COMBINE WITH MYOFACICAL RELEASE TECHNIQUE

Control group

EXPERIMENTAL

the control group will continue their standard warm-up routines without incorporating the FIFA 11+ exercises. Frequency: 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks (same as the intervention group). Consistency: Participants will continue their usual warm-up routine without modifications.

Other: Routine warm up session

Interventions

FIFA 11+ COMBINE WITH MYOFACICAL RELEASE TECHNIQUE OTHER

The intervention group will participate in the FIFA 11+ injury prevention program, which includes a structured series of exercises designed to improve strength, balance, and neuromuscular control. The program will be conducted three times per week for Six weeks as part of their regular training schedule. Myofascial Release: Manual therapist will perform standardized MFR techniques on hamstring fascia prior to FIFA 11+ sessions, lasting 10-15 minutes.

intervention group

Routine warm up session OTHER

the control group will continue their standard warm-up routines without incorporating the FIFA 11+ exercises

Control group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 16 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Male football players aged 16-30 years.
• Able to comply with a 6-week FIFA 11+ program.
• Provide informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Acute or chronic hamstring injury.
• Recent major surgery of the lower limb or ongoing rehab plan.
• Inability to safely perform exercises included in the FIFA 11+ program.
• Non-compliance with baseline assessments or the training schedule.
• Current musculoskeletal injuries affecting lower limb function.
• Unable to achieve ≥65% limb symmetry index (LSI) in any hop test.
• Undergoing physiotherapy or post-rehabilitation care.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Riphah international University Malakand Campus

Chakdara, KPK, 18800, Pakistan

RECRUITING

Study Officials

• Zavata Afnan, MS NMPT

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Zavata Afnan, MS NMPT

CONTACT

03434411214; zavata.afnan@riphah.edu.pk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 16, 2026
• First Posted: March 20, 2026
• Study Start: November 15, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 31, 2026
• Last Updated: March 20, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)