Dynamic BalanceNCT07505537
Using BlazePod® for Pre-Season Screening of Lower Limb Injury Risk
An observational study of Dynamic Balance and Range of Motion, Articular, run by Aveiro University at 1 site in Portugal.
Trial summary
Preventing lower limb injuries is a key concern in sports and physical activities. Even though injury prevention programs and pre-season screening have improved recently, these injuries still happen often. New technology might help improve traditional screening methods. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 60 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Dynamic Balance, Range of Motion, Articular
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 sitePortugal
- Study dates
- 6 Apr 2026to 1 Jul 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- 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 60 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: Active university students of both sexes, aged ≥18 years, that practice physical activity regularly and without recent complaints in the lower limbs or spine will be recruited for the study.
Who may be able to join
- Individuals aged ≥18 years, practicing physical activity, and without recent complaints in the lower limbs or spine will be included.
Who cannot join
- Participants with federated sports practice, recent history of ankle sprain, surgery or musculoskeletal injury in the lower limb, as well as systemic pathologies affecting balance or neuromotor control will be excluded.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Preventing lower limb injuries is a key concern in sports and physical activities. Even though injury prevention programs and pre-season screening have improved recently, these injuries still happen often. New technology might help improve traditional screening methods. The BlazePod® system offers a fresh, active way to assess function and train physical skills. This study aims to explore the link between the BlazePod® One-Leg Balance Activity (OLBA) test and the Y-Balance Test (YBT) in healthy young adults. Using kinematic analysis, we want to see if the OLBA test can serve as a preseason tool to predict ankle injuries. Participants will complete the YBT, the Weight-Bearing Lunge Test, and the OLBA test with the BlazePod® system, along with the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) and a sociodemographic questionnaire. We will record all tests using the Vicon T20S 3D motion capture system and analyze the data with MOKKA software. We expect to find a significant positive correlation between the average taps in the BlazePod® test and the combined YBT score. These results could show that the OLBA test with BlazePod® is a useful way to assess ankle injury risk.
Read the detailed description
Prevention of lower limb injuries is a major concern in sports and physical activity. Although injury prevention programs and pre-season screening tests have improved in recent years, the incidence of lower limb injuries remains high. Recent technological advances may complement traditional screening methods in identifying injury risk. The BlazePod® system offers an innovative, dynamic approach to functional assessment and physical skills training. The main objective of this study is to examine the relationship between the BlazePod® One-Leg Balance Activity (OLBA) test and the Y-Balance Test (YBT) in healthy young adults, using kinematic analysis to determine whether the OLBA test can be used as a preseason screening tool to predict ankle injuries. Participants will perform the YBT, the Weight-Bearing Lunge Test, and the OLBA test using the BlazePod® system and will complete the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) and a sociodemographic questionnaire. All functional tests will be recorded using the Vicon T20S 3D motion capture system and analyzed with MOKKA software. We expect the results to show a statistically significant, positive correlation between the average number of taps in the BlazePod® test and the composite YBT score. We expect that these findings will suggest that the OLBA test using BlazePod® may be a useful tool for assessing ankle injury risk.
- Conditions
- Dynamic Balance, Range of Motion, Articular
- Keywords
- Pre-season tests, Flash Reflex Training system, Injury risk assessment, Ankle range of motion, lower limb injury risk
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Ankle Range of Motion | The weight-bearing lunge test will be executed using kinematic analysis to assess ankle range of motion. | |
| Dynamic Balance | The Y-Balance Test will be executed to assess dynamic balance, namely, the reach distance of the lower limb obtained in the 3 reach directions, normalised with the lower leg length of the participant. | |
| One Leg Balance Activity - OLBA Test | The one-leg balance activity will be executed with the Blazepod reflex training system, where the participant has to tap the pod that lights up during 60 seconds as fast as possible without losing balance. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
One Leg Balance Activity with the Blazepod
The One-Leg Balance Activity will be assessed using the BlazePod® system to quantify the number of taps a participant can perform within 60 seconds while maintaining balance. During the test, pods illuminate in an alternating sequence, and participants are required to respond by tapping each light as quickly as possible without losing postural stability.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 week.
Secondary outcomes (2)
Dynamic Balance
The participant will execute the Y-Balance Test to assess dynamic balance. The composite score of the 3 reach distances will be used for analysis.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 week.
Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion
The ankle dorsiflexion range of motion will be assessed with the weight-bearing lunge test with kinematic analysis.
Measured: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 week.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted1 Apr 2026
- Study start6 Apr 2026
- Primary completion13 Apr 2026
- Study completion1 Jul 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (3)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Dynamic BalanceStudies 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
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Aveiro University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, MARIO ALEXANDRE GONÇALVES LOPES, Aveiro University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07505537
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- AveiroU
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 26 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 28 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: Individual participant data (IPD) will be shared upon reasonable request.
Publications
Flores FS, Lourenco J, Phan L, Jacobs S, Willig RM, Marconcin PEP, Casanova N, Soares D, Clemente FM, Silva AF. Evaluation of Reaction Time during the One-Leg Balance Activity in Young Soccer Players: A Pilot Study. Children (Basel). 2023 Apr 19;10(4):743. doi: 10.3390/children10040743.
PubMed 37189992Plisky P, Schwartkopf-Phifer K, Huebner B, Garner MB, Bullock G. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Y-Balance Test Lower Quarter: Reliability, Discriminant Validity, and Predictive Validity. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2021 Oct 1;16(5):1190-1209. doi: 10.26603/001c.27634. eCollection 2021.
PubMed 34631241Powden CJ, Hoch JM, Hoch MC. Reliability and minimal detectable change of the weight-bearing lunge test: A systematic review. Man Ther. 2015 Aug;20(4):524-32. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2015.01.004. Epub 2015 Jan 29.
PubMed 25704110
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Using BlazePod® for Pre-Season Screening of Lower Limb Injury Risk
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07505537
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- AveiroU
- Conditions
- Dynamic Balance, Range of Motion, Articular
- Keywords
- Pre-season tests, Flash Reflex Training system, Injury risk assessment, Ankle range of motion, lower limb injury risk
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Aveiro UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 6 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 13 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Jul 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 1 Apr 2026 (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.
Preventing lower limb injuries is a key concern in sports and physical activities. Even though injury prevention programs and pre-season screening have improved recently, these injuries still happen often. New technology might help improve traditional screening methods. The BlazePod® system offers a fresh, active way to assess function and train physical skills. This study aims to explore the link between the BlazePod® One-Leg Balance Activity (OLBA) test and the Y-Balance Test (YBT) in healthy young adults. Using kinematic analysis, we want to see if the OLBA test can serve as a preseason tool to predict ankle injuries. Participants will complete the YBT, the Weight-Bearing Lunge Test, and the OLBA test with the BlazePod® system, along with the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) and a sociodemographic questionnaire. We will record all tests using the Vicon T20S 3D motion capture system and analyze the data with MOKKA software. We expect to find a significant positive correlation between the average taps in the BlazePod® test and the combined YBT score. These results could show that the OLBA test with BlazePod® is a useful way to assess ankle injury risk.
Detailed description
Prevention of lower limb injuries is a major concern in sports and physical activity. Although injury prevention programs and pre-season screening tests have improved in recent years, the incidence of lower limb injuries remains high. Recent technological advances may complement traditional screening methods in identifying injury risk. The BlazePod® system offers an innovative, dynamic approach to functional assessment and physical skills training. The main objective of this study is to examine the relationship between the BlazePod® One-Leg Balance Activity (OLBA) test and the Y-Balance Test (YBT) in healthy young adults, using kinematic analysis to determine whether the OLBA test can be used as a preseason screening tool to predict ankle injuries. Participants will perform the YBT, the Weight-Bearing Lunge Test, and the OLBA test using the BlazePod® system and will complete the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) and a sociodemographic questionnaire. All functional tests will be recorded using the Vicon T20S 3D motion capture system and analyzed with MOKKA software. We expect the results to show a statistically significant, positive correlation between the average number of taps in the BlazePod® test and the composite YBT score. We expect that these findings will suggest that the OLBA test using BlazePod® may be a useful tool for assessing ankle injury risk.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Ankle Range of Motion | – | –The weight-bearing lunge test will be executed using kinematic analysis to assess ankle range of motion. |
| Dynamic Balance | – | –The Y-Balance Test will be executed to assess dynamic balance, namely, the reach distance of the lower limb obtained in the 3 reach directions, normalised with the lower leg length of the participant. |
| One Leg Balance Activity - OLBA Test | – | –The one-leg balance activity will be executed with the Blazepod reflex training system, where the participant has to tap the pod that lights up during 60 seconds as fast as possible without losing balance. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- Active university students of both sexes, aged ≥18 years, that practice physical activity regularly and without recent complaints in the lower limbs or spine will be recruited for the study.
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Individuals aged ≥18 years, practicing physical activity, and without recent complaints in the lower limbs or spine will be included.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Participants with federated sports practice, recent history of ankle sprain, surgery or musculoskeletal injury in the lower limb, as well as systemic pathologies affecting balance or neuromotor control will be excluded.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
One Leg Balance Activity with the Blazepod
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 week.
The One-Leg Balance Activity will be assessed using the BlazePod® system to quantify the number of taps a participant can perform within 60 seconds while maintaining balance. During the test, pods illuminate in an alternating sequence, and participants are required to respond by tapping each light as quickly as possible without losing postural stability.
2 secondary outcomes
Dynamic Balance
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 week.
Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 week.
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 28 Oct 2026.
- Background: PubMed 37189992Flores FS, Lourenco J, Phan L, Jacobs S, Willig RM, Marconcin PEP, Casanova N, Soares D, Clemente FM, Silva AF. Evaluation of Reaction Time during the One-Leg Balance Activity in Young Soccer Players: A Pilot Study. Children (Basel). 2023 Apr 19;10(4):743. doi: 10.3390/children10040743.
- Background: PubMed 34631241Plisky P, Schwartkopf-Phifer K, Huebner B, Garner MB, Bullock G. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Y-Balance Test Lower Quarter: Reliability, Discriminant Validity, and Predictive Validity. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2021 Oct 1;16(5):1190-1209. doi: 10.26603/001c.27634. eCollection 2021.
- Background: PubMed 25704110Powden CJ, Hoch JM, Hoch MC. Reliability and minimal detectable change of the weight-bearing lunge test: A systematic review. Man Ther. 2015 Aug;20(4):524-32. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2015.01.004. Epub 2015 Jan 29.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. Individual participant data (IPD) will be shared upon reasonable request.
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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?
An observational study of Dynamic Balance and Range of Motion, Articular, run by Aveiro University at 1 site in Portugal.
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 1 inclusion and 1 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 28 Oct 2026. 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 Portugal. 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?
One Leg Balance Activity with the Blazepod (time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 week.). 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 NCT07505537, which also lists 3 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 28 Oct 2026.