The Effects of Neuromuscular Training on Knee Biomechanics During Jump-Landing Among College Basketball Players Post ACL Reconstruction and Rehabilitation

NCT ID: NCT07314931

Last Updated: 2026-01-07

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 30 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-12-10
• Study Completion Date: 2026-05-15

Brief Summary

Basketball players often injure the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a key structure that stabilizes the knee. Even after surgery and standard rehabilitation, many athletes continue to have problems with knee stability, movement control, and performance during jumping and landing. These issues increase the risk of re-injury and can limit their ability to return to competition.

Neuromuscular training (NMT) is a type of exercise program that focuses on improving balance, muscle coordination, and movement patterns. It uses activities such as jump-landing drills, balance tasks, agility exercises, and core training. Previous research shows that NMT can help athletes land more safely, reduce harmful knee movements, and improve sport performance. However, little is known about its long-term benefits in college basketball players who are more than one year post-ACL surgery.

This study aims to evaluate whether a 12-week NMT program, added to standard basketball training, can improve knee biomechanics, stability, and performance in college basketball players with a history of ACL reconstruction. Thirty participants will be randomly assigned to either an NMT group or a control group. Both groups will complete basketball training, but only the NMT group will receive the additional neuromuscular exercises.

Knee movement will be measured using 3D motion capture and force plates, and performance will be tested through vertical jumps and other sport-specific tasks. The main outcomes will include knee angles during landing, ground reaction forces, dynamic stability, and jump height.

The expected outcome is that athletes who undergo NMT will demonstrate safer landing strategies, better knee control, and improved performance compared to those who only receive standard basketball training. These findings may help coaches and healthcare providers design safer, more effective rehabilitation programs for athletes after ACL surgery.

Conditions

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation; Knee Injuries; Biomechanical Data; Athletic Performance; Physical Fitness; Neuromuscular Training; Basketball Players

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: FACTORIAL
• Primary Study Purpose: PREVENTION
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

Neuromuscular Training (NMT) plus Standard Basketball Training

Participants in this arm will receive a 12-week neuromuscular training (NMT) program in addition to their regular basketball training. The NMT program will include balance tasks, jump-landing drills, agility exercises, and core strengthening. Sessions will be conducted in parallel with standard basketball practice.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Neuromuscular Training (NMT)

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

The neuromuscular training (NMT) program is a 12-week behavioral intervention performed 2-3 times per week in addition to regular basketball training. It includes balance tasks, jump-landing drills, agility exercises, and core strengthening to improve knee stability and movement control after ACL reconstruction

Standard Basketball Training

Participants in this arm will continue their usual basketball training program for 12 weeks without additional neuromuscular training. Training content and schedule will follow standard team practice routines. This arm will serve as a comparator to evaluate the added effect of NMT.

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Neuromuscular Training (NMT)

The neuromuscular training (NMT) program is a 12-week behavioral intervention performed 2-3 times per week in addition to regular basketball training. It includes balance tasks, jump-landing drills, agility exercises, and core strengthening to improve knee stability and movement control after ACL reconstruction

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Age 18-25 years

History of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery at least 12 months before enrollment

Cleared by physician for sports participation

Willing to provide informed consent and comply with study procedures

Exclusion Criteria

Other major lower-limb injuries (e.g., meniscus, cartilage, fractures) in the past 12 months

Current knee pain, swelling, or instability that prevents safe participation

Neurological, cardiovascular, or systemic conditions that may affect training safety

Participation in another structured neuromuscular training program within the past 6 months

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 25 Years
• Eligible Sex: MALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Universiti Sains Malaysia

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Shazlin Shaharudin

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Chengde Medical University, Affiliated Hospital

Chengde, Hebei, China

Countries

China

Central Contacts

JINFA GU, PhD candidate

Role: CONTACT

GUJINFA@student.usm.my

+60 111232 608 ext. +86 1560001310

Facility Contacts

Jin fa Gu, PhD

Role: primary

gujinfa@student.usm.my

+86 15600013102

Other Identifiers

USM/JEPeM/KK/25030307

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id