Association Between Pre-Season Physical Capacity and Injury Risk in Professional Soccer Players

NCT07868276 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: TUTAR-PRESEASON-2025-01
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 28
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This prospective observational study aims to investigate the relationship between pre-season physical capacities and lower-extremity injury risk during the competitive season in professional male soccer players. A total of 28 healthy professional male soccer players aged 18-35 years, with at least five years of training experience, will be included in the study. Participants will undergo comprehensive physical performance assessments during the pre-season period without being assigned to any experimental intervention or additional exercise program. Baseline assessments will include anthropometric measurements, countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, overhead squat assessment, aerobic fitness using the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15 IFT), eccentric hamstring strength using the NordBord system, and hip abduction and adduction strength using the GroinBar system. Inter-limb strength asymmetries will also be evaluated. Following the pre-season assessments, participants will be monitored for lower-extremity injuries during the competitive season. Injury information, including anatomical location, injury type, duration, and recurrence, will be collected from club physiotherapists and coaching staff. The primary objective is to examine whether pre-season physical performance characteristics, particularly hamstring strength, hip muscle strength, and inter-limb strength differences, are associated with subsequent lower-extremity injury occurrence. The findings may contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between pre-season physical capacity and injury risk in professional soccer and may help sports medicine professionals, physiotherapists, and strength and conditioning coaches identify relevant physical performance indicators for athlete monitoring.

Conditions

Sports Injury Risk; Lower Extremity Injuries; Physical Fitness

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Incidence of Lower Extremity Injuries

  Lower-extremity injury occurrence will be monitored following pre-season physical performance assessments. Injury data will be obtained from club physiotherapists and coaching staff. The number of injuries, anatomical location (e.g., hamstring, hip, and knee), injury type, duration, and recurrence will be recorded. The outcome will be used to examine associations between pre-season physical capacities and subsequent injury occurrence in professional soccer players.

  From Baseline Through 12 Months of Follow-up

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Maximal Eccentric Hamstring Strength

  Baseline (Pre-season Assessment)

• Hamstring Inter-Limb Strength Asymmetry

  Baseline (Pre-season Assessment)

• Hip Abduction Strength

  Baseline (Pre-season Assessment)

• Countermovement Jump Height

  Baseline (Pre-season Assessment)

• Overhead Squat Movement Assessment Score

  Baseline (Pre-season Assessment)

Study Arms (1)

Professional Soccer Players

A prospective observational cohort consisting of 28 professional male soccer players aged 18-35 years with at least five years of training experience. Participants undergo pre-season physical performance assessments, including anthropometric measurements, countermovement jump (CMJ), overhead squat assessment, aerobic fitness using the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test, eccentric hamstring strength using the NordBord system, and hip abduction and adduction strength using the GroinBar system. Lower-extremity injury occurrence, anatomical location, injury type, duration, and recurrence are subsequently monitored during the competitive season using records obtained from club physiotherapists and coaching staff. No randomization or experimental training intervention is performed.

Diagnostic Test: Pre-Season Physical Performance Assessment

Interventions

Pre-Season Physical Performance Assessment DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Participants undergo standardized pre-season physical performance assessments, including countermovement jump, overhead squat, 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test, eccentric hamstring strength assessment using the NordBord system, and hip abduction and adduction strength assessment using the GroinBar system. These assessments are performed to investigate associations between baseline physical capacities and subsequent lower-extremity injury occurrence. No experimental exercise intervention is administered.

Professional Soccer Players

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: male
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of 28 healthy male professional soccer players aged 18-35 years who actively participate in professional league competitions. Eligible participants have at least five years of soccer training experience and regularly attend a minimum of five training sessions per week. Players without current illness or injury and without a history of lower-extremity injury during the preceding six months undergo standardized pre-season physical performance assessments. Participants are subsequently followed for lower-extremity injury occurrence during the competitive season.

You may qualify if:

• Male professional soccer players aged 18-35 years. At least five years of structured soccer training experience. Active participation in professional league competitions at national or international level.
• Regular participation in at least five soccer training sessions per week. Being free from any current illness or injury. No history of lower-extremity injury within the preceding six months. Voluntary participation in the study. Provision of written informed consent before participation.

You may not qualify if:

• Being younger than 18 or older than 35 years. Having fewer than five years of soccer training experience. Participating in fewer than five training sessions per week. Presence of an illness or current musculoskeletal injury. History of lower-extremity injury within the previous six months. Alcohol consumption or regular medication use, as specified in the study protocol.
• Refusal to provide written informed consent.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Gelisim University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Istanbul Gelisim University

Istanbul, Istanbul, 34310, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Director

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 3, 2026
• First Posted: October 9, 2026
• Study Start: October 2, 2025
• Primary Completion: October 2, 2026
• Study Completion: October 2, 2026
• Last Updated: October 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-10

Locations

TU (1)