Plyometric Training With or Without Hamstring Strengthening for Preventing ACL Injuries in Female Amateur Athletes

NCT ID: NCT07047833

Last Updated: 2025-07-02

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 60 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2024-05-21
• Study Completion Date: 2025-03-25

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial explored the effect of plyometric training with or without hamstring strengthening in preventing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries among female amateur athletes aged 18 to 30. Sixty participants were divided equally into two groups: one received plyometric training combined with hamstring strengthening, and the other received plyometric training only. Both groups trained twice per week over a six-week period. Outcomes measured included knee strength (flexion and extension), dynamic balance (Star Excursion Test), and functional mobility (KOOS).

Detailed Description

This study examined whether combining hamstring strengthening with plyometric training provides greater benefits in preventing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries than plyometric training alone among female amateur athletes. Conducted as a randomized controlled trial, the research involved 60 participants aged 18 to 30, randomly assigned to two equal groups. Group A underwent a six-week intervention involving both plyometric and hamstring strengthening exercises, while Group B participated in plyometric training only. Each group trained twice weekly, and the outcomes were measured at baseline, Week 3, and Week 6 using a handheld dynamometer for knee strength (flexion and extension), the Star Excursion Balance Test (SET) for dynamic balance, and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) for functional mobility.

Conditions

ACL Injuries

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Plyometric Training with Hamstring Strengthening

Participants in this group received a six-week intervention consisting of plyometric training combined with targeted hamstring strengthening exercises. Each session was 60 minutes long and conducted twice per week. Plyometric drills included squat jumps, depth jumps, and lateral jumps. Hamstring strengthening included Nordic curls and machine-based leg curls. All participants completed standardized warm-up and cool-down routines. The goal was to assess the additive effect of hamstring strengthening on ACL injury prevention metrics such as strength, balance, and functional mobility.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Plyometric Training with Hamstring Strengthening

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

This intervention consisted of a six-week training protocol involving both plyometric exercises and targeted hamstring strengthening. Sessions were conducted twice per week, lasting 60 minutes each. Plyometric drills included squat jumps, depth jumps, and lateral jumps, while hamstring exercises included Nordic hamstring curls and machine-based leg curls. All sessions included a standardized 15-minute warm-up and a 5-minute cool-down. The program was designed to enhance lower limb strength, balance, and neuromuscular control for ACL injury prevention in female amateur athletes.

Plyometric Training Only

This group received plyometric training only over a six-week period, with sessions lasting 40 minutes and conducted twice weekly. Exercises included squat jumps, depth jumps, and lateral jumps, performed with progressive intensity. Participants underwent a standardized warm-up and cool-down in each session. The purpose of this arm was to evaluate the effectiveness of plyometric training alone in improving strength, balance, and functional mobility for ACL injury prevention.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Plyometric Training Only

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

This intervention involved a six-week plyometric-only training program delivered twice weekly for 40-minute sessions. Exercises included squat jumps, depth jumps, and lateral jumps, performed with progressive intensity and control. Each session included a standardized 15-minute warm-up and a 5-minute cool-down. The program aimed to improve lower limb power, balance, and functional mobility to reduce the risk of ACL injuries in female amateur athletes.

Interventions

Plyometric Training with Hamstring Strengthening

This intervention consisted of a six-week training protocol involving both plyometric exercises and targeted hamstring strengthening. Sessions were conducted twice per week, lasting 60 minutes each. Plyometric drills included squat jumps, depth jumps, and lateral jumps, while hamstring exercises included Nordic hamstring curls and machine-based leg curls. All sessions included a standardized 15-minute warm-up and a 5-minute cool-down. The program was designed to enhance lower limb strength, balance, and neuromuscular control for ACL injury prevention in female amateur athletes.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Plyometric Training Only

This intervention involved a six-week plyometric-only training program delivered twice weekly for 40-minute sessions. Exercises included squat jumps, depth jumps, and lateral jumps, performed with progressive intensity and control. Each session included a standardized 15-minute warm-up and a 5-minute cool-down. The program aimed to improve lower limb power, balance, and functional mobility to reduce the risk of ACL injuries in female amateur athletes.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Female amateur athletes between the ages of 18-30 years old.
• Participating in sports that involve jumping, cutting and pivoting movements (e.g. basketball, soccer).
• On average, athletes exercised between six and eight times per week including competition.
• Able to perform basic jumping and landing mechanics safely.

Exclusion Criteria

• Recreational athlete or untrained individual
• Athletes with less than five training sessions per week.
• Athletes who were operated with techniques other than the bone patellar-tendon, bone graft (BPTB), or who were operated by different surgeons and rehabilitated by several physical therapist.
• Athletes with a history of muscle or joint injuries.
• Athletes who had already followed a pre-operative rehabilitation program.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 30 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

University of Lahore

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Fareeha Raja

Student

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

The University of Lahore Teaching Hospital

Lahore, , Pakistan

Countries

Pakistan

References

Kasmi S, Zouhal H, Hammami R, Clark CCT, Hackney AC, Hammami A, Chtara M, Chortane SG, Salah FZB, Granacher U, Ounis OB. The Effects of Eccentric and Plyometric Training Programs and Their Combination on Stability and the Functional Performance in the Post-ACL-Surgical Rehabilitation Period of Elite Female Athletes. Front Physiol. 2021 Jul 2;12:688385. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.688385. eCollection 2021.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 34276409 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Rec-UOL-/287/08/24

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id