Eccentric hamstring exercises plus physiotherapy to improve performance and quality of life in young male football players with grade 1 ACL injury
A RANDOMIZED, OPEN-LABEL TRIAL TO EVALUATE THE CLINICAL EFFECTIVENESS OF ECCENTRIC HAMSTRING CONTRACTIONS WITH PHYSIOTHERAPY TRAINING ON SPORTS PERFORMANCE AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN YOUNG MALE FOOTBALL PLAYERS WITH NON-CONTACT GRADE 1 ACL INJURY
NA · Emirates Health Services (EHS) · NCT07115316
This project will test whether adding eccentric hamstring exercises to standard physiotherapy helps 19–25-year-old male football players with non-contact grade 1 ACL injuries improve sports performance and quality of life.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 180 (estimated) |
| Ages | 19 Years to 25 Years |
| Sex | Male |
| Sponsor | Emirates Health Services (EHS) (other gov) |
| Locations | 1 site (Ras al-Khaimah, Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah) |
| Trial ID | NCT07115316 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized interventional trial will enroll male football players aged 19–25 in the UAE who have a physician-diagnosed non-contact acute grade 1 ACL injury within the past six weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned using computer-generated numbers to either standard physiotherapy alone or physiotherapy plus a program of eccentric hamstring contractions. Outcomes will include objective sports-performance measures and patient-reported quality-of-life scores collected over the rehabilitation period. The intervention is delivered at Emirates Health Services in Ras al-Khaimah and requires English-speaking players able to attend in-person sessions.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are English-speaking male football players aged 19–25, currently playing in the UAE, with a physician-diagnosed non-contact acute grade 1 ACL injury within the past six weeks and full, pain-free knee range of motion.
Not a fit: Players with contact or higher-grade (grade 2+) ACL injuries, chronic injuries, additional ligament or meniscal damage, prior knee surgery, females, non–English speakers, or those unable to attend the Ras al-Khaimah site are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could speed functional recovery and improve on-field performance and knee-related quality of life for young football players with mild ACL sprains.
How similar studies have performed: Previous rehabilitation studies have shown that eccentric hamstring strengthening can improve hamstring strength and neuromuscular control in ACL rehab, but direct evidence specifically linking this approach to better sports performance and quality-of-life outcomes in young footballers with non-contact grade 1 injuries is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * physician-diagnosed non-contact acute grade 1 ACL injury within the past 6 weeks will be invited from the selected clubs for participation in the trial. Participants who can perform full Range of Motion in the injured knee without pain will be included. Male football players between age 19-25 years old, currently playing in UAE, who speak English language and with physician-diagnosed non-contact grade 1 ACL injury will be included in the trial. Exclusion Criteria: * • Players with contact ACL injuries. * Players with chronic grade 1 ACL Injuries. * If pain and swelling are severe and occur within 24 hours after exercise, will be excluded from the study. * Grade 2 and above ACL injuries. * Female players. * Players aged below 18 years or above 25 years. * Players with a history of surgery on the same knee. * Players with injuries to the menisci or other ligaments. * Players who do not speak English. * Players who refuse to provide written informed consent to participate in the trial. * Players currently enrolled in other formal rehabilitation programs.
Where this trial is running
Ras al-Khaimah, Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah
- Emirates Health services — Ras al-Khaimah, Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Anil John, PhD — Lincoln University College
- Study coordinator: Ajmal Sheriff, Master of Physiotherapy
- Email: ajmal.sheriff@ehs.gov.ae
- Phone: +971557618815
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Grade 1 Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury, Eccentric hamstring exercises, Grade 1 ACL Injury