Anterior Cruciate Ligament InjuryPREV-COD-FFNCT07523178
Effects of a Targeted Prevention Program on Change-of-Direction Biomechanics and Performance in Elite Female Soccer Players
A study testing Targeted Injury Prevention Program in people with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury, run by University of Liege at 1 site in Belgium.
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 13 to 16 years, women onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
- What is being tested?
- Targeted Injury Prevention Program
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 51 participants
- Where
- 1 siteBelgium
- Study dates
- 30 Mar 2026to 18 May 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 13 to 16 years
- Women only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Who may be able to join
- 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)
Who cannot join
- Previous lower-limb surgery
- Current musculoskeletal injury
- Refusal to participate or withdrawal of consent
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Belgium1 site
University of Liège
Liège, Liège, 4000
Mathilde Devits, PT- PhD candidate, +32498200017, Mathilde.Devits@Uliege.be
Mathilde Devits, PT- PhD candidate
About this study
Official title: Impact of a Targeted Prevention Program on Biomechanics and Performance During Change-of-Direction Tasks in Elite Female Soccer Players: An Interventional Study
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.
Read more
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.
Read the detailed description
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries frequently occur during rapid change-of-direction (COD) movements in soccer, particularly in female players. Biomechanical deficits during these movements have been identified as important modifiable risk factors for non-contact ACL injuries.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of a structured injury-prevention program on biomechanical movement quality and performance during change-of-direction tasks in female soccer players.
Participants will complete biomechanical and performance assessments before and after a training period. Movement quality during a 90° cutting task will be evaluated using the Cutting Movement Assessment Score (CMAS). Performance will be assessed using cutting time measured with photoelectric timing gates. Participants will also perform the 505 Agility Test to evaluate additional change-of-direction performance. Subjective perceptions of functional confidence and performance will be collected using Likert-scale questionnaires.
Participants will be allocated to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will complete a structured injury-prevention program integrated into their regular soccer training sessions. The program will be performed twice per week for six weeks, with sessions lasting approximately 30 minutes. It will include exercises targeting neuromuscular control, strength, balance, trunk stability, plyometric ability, and change-of-direction technique in order to improve movement mechanics during change-of-direction tasks. The control group will continue their usual soccer training without the additional prevention program.
The study will evaluate whether the prevention program improves biomechanical movement patterns and change-of-direction performance.
- Conditions
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
- Being tested
- Targeted Injury Prevention Program
- Keywords
- Injury Prevention, ACL Injury Prevention, Female soccer, Change of Direction, Cutting Task, CMAS, 505 Agility Test, Neuromuscular Training
- Medical subject headings
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Targeted Injury Prevention ProgramBehavioural
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Receives: Behavioral: Targeted Injury Prevention Program |
| Usual Soccer Training | No intervention | Participants continue their regular soccer training sessions without the additional injury prevention program. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period.
Secondary outcomes (3)
Cutting Time during a 90° Change-of-Direction Cutting Task
Execution time (cutting time) during a 90° change-of-direction cutting task measured using photoelectric timing gates to assess change-of-direction performance.
Measured: aseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period.
505 Agility Test Time
Execution time during the 505 Agility Test measuring change-of-direction performance, recorded using photoelectric timing gates.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period.
Subjective Functional Confidence and Performance Perception Scores
Self-reported perceptions of functional confidence and perceived performance during change-of-direction movements assessed using Likert-scale questionnaires using a 0-10 Likert scale.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Apr 2026
- Study start30 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion18 May 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion18 May 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Anterior Cruciate Ligament InjuryStudies 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
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 51 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Liege
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Mathilde Devits, University of Liege
- Investigators
- Mathilde Devits, PT, PhD candidate, Principal investigator, University of Liege
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07523178
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PREV-COD-FF
- Acronym
- PREV-COD-FF
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 3 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 17 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared due to confidentiality and privacy considerations. Data are part of a doctoral research project at the University of Liège and are only accessible to the research team.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 17 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Impact of a Targeted Prevention Program on Biomechanics and Performance During Change-of-Direction Tasks in Elite Female Soccer Players: An Interventional Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07523178
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PREV-COD-FF / PREV-COD-FF
- Conditions
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
- Keywords
- Injury Prevention, ACL Injury Prevention, Female soccer, Change of Direction, Cutting Task, CMAS, 505 Agility Test, Neuromuscular Training
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 51 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of LiegeUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 30 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 18 May 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 18 May 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 13 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.
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.
Detailed description
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries frequently occur during rapid change-of-direction (COD) movements in soccer, particularly in female players. Biomechanical deficits during these movements have been identified as important modifiable risk factors for non-contact ACL injuries.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of a structured injury-prevention program on biomechanical movement quality and performance during change-of-direction tasks in female soccer players.
Participants will complete biomechanical and performance assessments before and after a training period. Movement quality during a 90° cutting task will be evaluated using the Cutting Movement Assessment Score (CMAS). Performance will be assessed using cutting time measured with photoelectric timing gates. Participants will also perform the 505 Agility Test to evaluate additional change-of-direction performance. Subjective perceptions of functional confidence and performance will be collected using Likert-scale questionnaires.
Participants will be allocated to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will complete a structured injury-prevention program integrated into their regular soccer training sessions. The program will be performed twice per week for six weeks, with sessions lasting approximately 30 minutes. It will include exercises targeting neuromuscular control, strength, balance, trunk stability, plyometric ability, and change-of-direction technique in order to improve movement mechanics during change-of-direction tasks. The control group will continue their usual soccer training without the additional prevention program.
The study will evaluate whether the prevention program improves biomechanical movement patterns and change-of-direction performance.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Non-randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Injury Prevention Program | Experimental | Behavioral: Targeted Injury Prevention ProgramParticipants 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. |
| Usual Soccer Training | No intervention | –Participants continue their regular soccer training sessions without the additional injury prevention program. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 13 to 16 years
- Sex
- Female only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- 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)
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Previous lower-limb surgery
- Current musculoskeletal injury
- Refusal to participate or withdrawal of consent
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Targeted Injury Prevention ProgramA 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. | Behavioural | Injury Prevention Program |
Primary outcome
CMAS Score during a 90° Change-of-Direction Cutting Task
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period.
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.
3 secondary outcomes
Cutting Time during a 90° Change-of-Direction Cutting Task
Time frame: aseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period.
505 Agility Test Time
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period.
Subjective Functional Confidence and Performance Perception Scores
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 17 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared due to confidentiality and privacy considerations. Data are part of a doctoral research project at the University of Liège and are only accessible to the research team.
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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.
Mathilde Devits, PT, PhD candidate principal investigator
University of Liege
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Targeted Injury Prevention Program in people with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury, run by University of Liege at 1 site in Belgium.
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 3 inclusion and 3 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Apr 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 Belgium. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Mathilde Devits, PT, PhD candidate (+32498200017, Mathilde.Devits@Uliege.be), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
CMAS Score during a 90° Change-of-Direction Cutting Task (time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately after the 6-week intervention period.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 17 Apr 2026.