Hamstring InjuriesNCT05773404
Prevention of Hamstring Injuries in Football Players.
A study testing Passive Neurodynamics and Passive axial hip mobilisation/distraction, Active therapy and 2.5.3. Combined therapy in people with Hamstring Injuries, run by Universidad Católica de Ávila at 1 site in Spain.
Trial summary
Introduction: The prevalence of hamstring injuries in football is high, causing an increase in the number of casualties and a high socio-economic cost. Currently there are different treatment protocols for this muscle group, but there are often no comparisons of different types of passive, active and combined… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 years, women only
- Conditions the study is for
- Hamstring Injuries
- What is being tested?
- Passive Neurodynamics and Passive axial hip mobilisation/distraction, Active therapy and 2.5.3. Combined therapy
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 66 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSpain
- Study dates
- 1 Mar 2023to 28 Apr 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- Women only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Professional football athletes.
- Between 18-40 years of age.
- Female gender.
- Active in competitive season.
Who cannot join
- Neurological signs.
- Inability to follow the evaluator's instructions.
- Physical activity of less than 2 hours per week.
- Serious lower limb injury during the study period.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Efficacy of Passive Manual Therapy, Active Therapy and Combined Therapy in Relation to the Prevention of Hamstring Injuries in Football Players. Randomised Clinical Trial.
Introduction: The prevalence of hamstring injuries in football is high, causing an increase in the number of casualties and a high socio-economic cost. Currently there are different treatment protocols for this muscle group, but there are often no comparisons of different types of passive, active and combined therapies, and their potential efficacy, in professional football players.
Objectives: To compare the efficacy of three different interventions; passive manual therapy, active therapy based on therapeutic exercise and combined therapy, in relation to hamstring injuries in professional football players.
Methodology: A simple Randomised Clinical Trial (RCT) was conducted (NCT04935398). After applying the selection criteria, a sample of 66 professional football players was obtained. They were divided into 3 intervention groups (A, B and C) with 22 participants in each group and were given passive manual therapy, active therapy (exercise) and combined therapy (sum of the above). The corresponding tests and questionnaires were evaluated to obtain data on hamstring flexibility and hip range of movement at three time periods: pre, post and post2.
- Conditions
- Hamstring Injuries
- Being tested
- Passive Neurodynamics and Passive axial hip mobilisation/distraction, Active therapy, 2.5.3. Combined therapy
- Keywords
- physiotherapies techniques, Range of Motion, Hamstring Muscles, Prevention and Control, Muscuoeskeletal Manipulations.
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Passive Neurodynamics and Passive axial hip mobilisation/distractionOther
The physiotherapist performs passive techniques on the hamstring muscles and the nerve that innervates the hamstring muscles.
Active therapyOther
Also called Active Neurodynamics and Therapeutic exercise
Active lumbopelvic CORE control exercises and active stretching of the ischiopelvic nerves
2.5.3. Combined therapyOther
Also called Passive and Active therapy
The physiotherapist performs passive techniques on the hamstring muscles and the nerve that innervates the hamstring muscles and active lumbopelvic CORE control exercises and active stretching of the ischiopelvic nerves.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| passive manual therapy | Experimental | The physiotherapist performs passive techniques on the hamstring muscles of the footballers. Receives: Other: Passive Neurodynamics and Passive axial hip mobilisation/distraction |
| active therapy (exercise) | Experimental | The physiotherapist does not perform passive techniques and it is the player who performs active techniques on the hamstring muscles. Receives: Other: Active therapy |
| combined therapy | Active comparator | The physiotherapist performs passive techniques and in addition the player performs active techniques on the hamstring muscles. Receives: Other: 2.5.3. Combined therapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
range of movements measurements
Observe the degrees of mobility of the lower limb joints.
Measured: 1 month
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Mar 2023
- Study start1 Mar 2023
- Primary completion21 Dec 2023
- Study completion28 Apr 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (9)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Hamstring InjuriesStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 66 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad Católica de Ávila
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, JORGE VELAZQUEZ SAORNIL, Universidad Católica de Ávila
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05773404
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 313
- Status last verified
- Sep 2025
- First submitted
- 6 Mar 2023
- Last updated
- 3 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Publications
Petersen J, Holmich P. Evidence based prevention of hamstring injuries in sport. Br J Sports Med. 2005 Jun;39(6):319-23. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2005.018549.
PubMed 15911599Verrall GM, Slavotinek JP, Barnes PG. The effect of sports specific training on reducing the incidence of hamstring injuries in professional Australian Rules football players. Br J Sports Med. 2005 Jun;39(6):363-8. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2005.018697.
PubMed 15911608Hagglund M, Walden M, Ekstrand J. Injury recurrence is lower at the highest professional football level than at national and amateur levels: does sports medicine and sports physiotherapy deliver? Br J Sports Med. 2016 Jun;50(12):751-8. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2015-095951. Epub 2016 Mar 25.
PubMed 27015858Ekstrand J, Hagglund M, Walden M. Epidemiology of muscle injuries in professional football (soccer). Am J Sports Med. 2011 Jun;39(6):1226-32. doi: 10.1177/0363546510395879. Epub 2011 Feb 18.
PubMed 21335353Hagglund M, Walden M, Ekstrand J. Risk factors for lower extremity muscle injury in professional soccer: the UEFA Injury Study. Am J Sports Med. 2013 Feb;41(2):327-35. doi: 10.1177/0363546512470634. Epub 2012 Dec 21.
PubMed 23263293Ekstrand J, Ueblacker P, Van Zoest W, Verheijen R, Vanhecke B, van Wijk M, Bengtsson H. Risk factors for hamstring muscle injury in male elite football: medical expert experience and conclusions from 15 European Champions League clubs. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2023 Jan 24;9(1):e001461. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2022-001461. eCollection 2023.
PubMed 36726776Woods C, Hawkins RD, Maltby S, Hulse M, Thomas A, Hodson A; Football Association Medical Research Programme. The Football Association Medical Research Programme: an audit of injuries in professional football--analysis of hamstring injuries. Br J Sports Med. 2004 Feb;38(1):36-41. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2002.002352.
PubMed 14751943Arnason A, Andersen TE, Holme I, Engebretsen L, Bahr R. Prevention of hamstring strains in elite soccer: an intervention study. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2008 Feb;18(1):40-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2006.00634.x. Epub 2007 Mar 12.
PubMed 17355322Saornil JV, Rodriguez-Fragua I, Mila ZS, Briz D, Loaiciga-Espeleta C, Holguera RM, Lopez S, Garzon-Guiteria MT, da Casa C. Immediate and short-term effects of manual, active, and combined therapies on lower limb range of motion in professional female footballers: A randomized controlled trial. PM R. 2026 Jun;18(6):656-668. doi: 10.1002/pmrj.70053. Epub 2025 Nov 21.
PubMed 41268617
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Efficacy of Passive Manual Therapy, Active Therapy and Combined Therapy in Relation to the Prevention of Hamstring Injuries in Football Players. Randomised Clinical Trial.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05773404
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 313
- Conditions
- Hamstring Injuries
- Keywords
- physiotherapies techniques, Range of Motion, Hamstring Muscles, Prevention and Control, Muscuoeskeletal Manipulations.
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 66 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad Católica de ÁvilaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Mar 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 21 Dec 2023 (actual)
- Study completion
- 28 Apr 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 17 Mar 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Introduction: The prevalence of hamstring injuries in football is high, causing an increase in the number of casualties and a high socio-economic cost. Currently there are different treatment protocols for this muscle group, but there are often no comparisons of different types of passive, active and combined therapies, and their potential efficacy, in professional football players.
Objectives: To compare the efficacy of three different interventions; passive manual therapy, active therapy based on therapeutic exercise and combined therapy, in relation to hamstring injuries in professional football players.
Methodology: A simple Randomised Clinical Trial (RCT) was conducted (NCT04935398). After applying the selection criteria, a sample of 66 professional football players was obtained. They were divided into 3 intervention groups (A, B and C) with 22 participants in each group and were given passive manual therapy, active therapy (exercise) and combined therapy (sum of the above). The corresponding tests and questionnaires were evaluated to obtain data on hamstring flexibility and hip range of movement at three time periods: pre, post and post2.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| passive manual therapy | Experimental | Other: Passive Neurodynamics and Passive axial hip mobilisation/distractionThe physiotherapist performs passive techniques on the hamstring muscles of the footballers. |
| active therapy (exercise) | Experimental | Other: Active therapyThe physiotherapist does not perform passive techniques and it is the player who performs active techniques on the hamstring muscles. |
| combined therapy | Active comparator | Other: 2.5.3. Combined therapyThe physiotherapist performs passive techniques and in addition the player performs active techniques on the hamstring muscles. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Professional football athletes.
- Between 18-40 years of age.
- Female gender.
- Active in competitive season.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Neurological signs.
- Inability to follow the evaluator's instructions.
- Physical activity of less than 2 hours per week.
- Serious lower limb injury during the study period.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Passive Neurodynamics and Passive axial hip mobilisation/distractionThe physiotherapist performs passive techniques on the hamstring muscles and the nerve that innervates the hamstring muscles. | Other | passive manual therapy |
| Active therapyAlso: Active Neurodynamics and Therapeutic exerciseActive lumbopelvic CORE control exercises and active stretching of the ischiopelvic nerves | Other | active therapy (exercise) |
| 2.5.3. Combined therapyAlso: Passive and Active therapyThe physiotherapist performs passive techniques on the hamstring muscles and the nerve that innervates the hamstring muscles and active lumbopelvic CORE control exercises and active stretching of the ischiopelvic nerves. | Other | combined therapy |
Primary outcome
range of movements measurements
Time frame: 1 month
Observe the degrees of mobility of the lower limb joints.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 Sep 2025.
- Background: PubMed 15911599Petersen J, Holmich P. Evidence based prevention of hamstring injuries in sport. Br J Sports Med. 2005 Jun;39(6):319-23. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2005.018549.
- Background: PubMed 15911608Verrall GM, Slavotinek JP, Barnes PG. The effect of sports specific training on reducing the incidence of hamstring injuries in professional Australian Rules football players. Br J Sports Med. 2005 Jun;39(6):363-8. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2005.018697.
- Results publication: PubMed 27015858Hagglund M, Walden M, Ekstrand J. Injury recurrence is lower at the highest professional football level than at national and amateur levels: does sports medicine and sports physiotherapy deliver? Br J Sports Med. 2016 Jun;50(12):751-8. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2015-095951. Epub 2016 Mar 25.
- Results publication: PubMed 21335353Ekstrand J, Hagglund M, Walden M. Epidemiology of muscle injuries in professional football (soccer). Am J Sports Med. 2011 Jun;39(6):1226-32. doi: 10.1177/0363546510395879. Epub 2011 Feb 18.
- Results publication: PubMed 23263293Hagglund M, Walden M, Ekstrand J. Risk factors for lower extremity muscle injury in professional soccer: the UEFA Injury Study. Am J Sports Med. 2013 Feb;41(2):327-35. doi: 10.1177/0363546512470634. Epub 2012 Dec 21.
- Results publication: PubMed 36726776Ekstrand J, Ueblacker P, Van Zoest W, Verheijen R, Vanhecke B, van Wijk M, Bengtsson H. Risk factors for hamstring muscle injury in male elite football: medical expert experience and conclusions from 15 European Champions League clubs. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2023 Jan 24;9(1):e001461. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2022-001461. eCollection 2023.
- Results publication: PubMed 14751943Woods C, Hawkins RD, Maltby S, Hulse M, Thomas A, Hodson A; Football Association Medical Research Programme. The Football Association Medical Research Programme: an audit of injuries in professional football--analysis of hamstring injuries. Br J Sports Med. 2004 Feb;38(1):36-41. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2002.002352.
- Results publication: PubMed 17355322Arnason A, Andersen TE, Holme I, Engebretsen L, Bahr R. Prevention of hamstring strains in elite soccer: an intervention study. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2008 Feb;18(1):40-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2006.00634.x. Epub 2007 Mar 12.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 41268617Saornil JV, Rodriguez-Fragua I, Mila ZS, Briz D, Loaiciga-Espeleta C, Holguera RM, Lopez S, Garzon-Guiteria MT, da Casa C. Immediate and short-term effects of manual, active, and combined therapies on lower limb range of motion in professional female footballers: A randomized controlled trial. PM R. 2026 Jun;18(6):656-668. doi: 10.1002/pmrj.70053. Epub 2025 Nov 21.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Passive Neurodynamics and Passive axial hip mobilisation/distraction, Active therapy and 2.5.3. Combined therapy in people with Hamstring Injuries, run by Universidad Católica de Ávila at 1 site in Spain.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Spain. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
range of movements measurements (time frame: 1 month). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05773404, which also lists 9 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 3 Sep 2025.