Effects of a Targeted Prevention Program on Change-of-Direction Biomechanics and Performance in Elite Female Soccer Players

NCT07523178 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: PREV-COD-FF
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 51
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common in female soccer and frequently occur during change-of-direction (COD) movements without contact. Biomechanical deficits during these movements are considered important risk factors. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a targeted injury-prevention program on biomechanical movement quality and performance during change-of-direction tasks in female soccer players. Participants will perform a 90° cutting task during which biomechanical movement quality will be assessed using the Cutting Movement Assessment Score (CMAS), while performance will be evaluated using cutting time measured with photoelectric timing gates. Participants will also perform the 505 Agility Test to assess additional change-of-direction performance. In addition, subjective perceptions of functional confidence and performance will be collected using Likert-scale questionnaires. The study will assess whether a structured prevention program integrated into regular training can improve biomechanical movement patterns and change-of-direction performance.

Conditions

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

Keywords

Injury Prevention; ACL Injury Prevention; Female soccer; Change of Direction; Cutting Task; CMAS; 505 Agility Test; Neuromuscular Training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• CMAS Score during a 90° Change-of-Direction Cutting Task

  Biomechanical movement quality during a 90° change-of-direction cutting task assessed using the Cutting Movement Assessment Score (CMAS), reflecting the kinematic quality of the movement.

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period.

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Cutting Time during a 90° Change-of-Direction Cutting Task

  aseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period.

• 505 Agility Test Time

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period.

• Subjective Functional Confidence and Performance Perception Scores

  Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period.

Study Arms (2)

Injury Prevention Program

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants perform a targeted injury prevention program integrated into their regular soccer training sessions twice per week for six weeks. The program includes exercises focusing on neuromuscular control, lower-limb strength, balance, trunk stability, plyometric ability, and change-of-direction technique.

Behavioral: Targeted Injury Prevention Program

Usual Soccer Training

NO INTERVENTION

Participants continue their regular soccer training sessions without the additional injury prevention program.

Interventions

Targeted Injury Prevention Program BEHAVIORAL

A structured injury prevention program integrated into regular soccer training sessions and performed twice per week for six weeks. The program includes exercises targeting neuromuscular control, lower-limb strength, trunk stability, balance, plyometric ability, and change-of-direction technique.

Injury Prevention Program

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 13 Years - 16 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Female soccer players aged 13 to 16 years
• Female soccer players training at least 3 times per week
• Ability to provide informed consent (parental consent required for minors)

You may not qualify if:

• Previous lower-limb surgery
• Current musculoskeletal injury
• Refusal to participate or withdrawal of consent

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Liege: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Liège

Liège, Liège, 4000, Belgium

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Knee Injuries; Leg Injuries; Wounds and Injuries

Study Officials

• Mathilde Devits, PT, PhD candidate

  University of Liege

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Mathilde Devits, PT, PhD candidate

CONTACT

+32498200017; Mathilde.Devits@Uliege.be

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD Candidate (Physiotherapist)

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 3, 2026
• First Posted: April 13, 2026
• Study Start: March 30, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 18, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 18, 2026
• Last Updated: April 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

BE (1)