UMIN-ICDS Clinical Trial

Unique ID issued by UMIN UMIN000060797
Receipt number R000069558
Scientific Title Effects of ACL injury prevention training with and without instruction on movement patterns during change-of-direction maneuvers in adolescent handball players
Date of disclosure of the study information 2026/03/02
Last modified on 2026/03/02 15:12:54

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Basic information

Public title

Effects of ACL injury prevention training with and without instruction on movement patterns during change-of-direction maneuvers in elementary and junior high school handball players

Acronym

Effects of ACL Training and Coaching on Elementary and Junior High School Handball Players

Scientific Title

Effects of ACL injury prevention training with and without instruction on movement patterns during change-of-direction maneuvers in adolescent handball players

Scientific Title:Acronym

Effects of ACL Training and Coaching on junior adolescent Handball Players

Region

Japan


Condition

Condition

To compare the effects of ACL injury prevention training with and without coaching on risky motions during change-of-direction in adolescent handball players

Classification by specialty

Not applicable Child

Classification by malignancy

Others

Genomic information

NO


Objectives

Narrative objectives1

Most anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in sports occur through non-contact mechanisms during sudden deceleration, such as change-of-direction and jump-landing maneuvers. While numerous studies have demonstrated that neuromuscular training (NMT) can effectively reduce the incidence of these injuries, there is limited scientific evidence regarding the added value of specific coaching. Specifically, it remains unclear how educating athletes about ACL injury mechanisms and distinguishing between "risky" and "safe" movement patterns during NMT influences the improvement of sudden deceleration motions. For adolescent athletes, who are in a critical stage of motor skill acquisition, mastering proper deceleration techniques is essential for both their long-term athletic careers and lifelong joint health. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compare the effects of ACL injury prevention training, with and without integrated coaching, on risky movement patterns during change-of-direction maneuvers in adolescent handball players.

Basic objectives2

Efficacy

Basic objectives -Others


Trial characteristics_1

Confirmatory

Trial characteristics_2

Pragmatic

Developmental phase

Not applicable


Assessment

Primary outcomes

We will compare the change-of-direction performance and biomechanical variables before and after the 9-week intervention. Specifically, we will evaluate the completion time of the cutting maneuver along with knee flexion and dynamic valgus angles, trunk anterior/posterior lean, and lateral flexion angles. Furthermore, we will analyze the foot placement of the cutting leg relative to the body center of mass to determine the effects of the training and coaching on movement quality.

Key secondary outcomes



Base

Study type

Interventional


Study design

Basic design

Parallel

Randomization

Non-randomized

Randomization unit


Blinding

Open -no one is blinded

Control

No treatment

Stratification


Dynamic allocation


Institution consideration


Blocking


Concealment



Intervention

No. of arms

2

Purpose of intervention

Educational,Counseling,Training

Type of intervention

Other

Interventions/Control_1

We will implement lower-body neuromuscular training known to be effective in preventing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. The 9-week training program will be divided into three 3-week phases (Phase 1 to Phase 3), with the training content modified for each phase.

Phase 1 (3 weeks: 5 training sessions and 1 measurement session)
In Phase 1, single-leg squats will be performed. From a single-leg standing position, the participant bends the knee over a period of 5 seconds until the thigh is parallel to the floor, holds that position for 1 second, and then stands up as quickly as possible upon a signal. This exercise is performed in 3 sets of 8 repetitions for each leg.

Phase 2 (3 weeks: 5 training sessions and 1 measurement session)
Single-leg squats will also be performed in Phase 2. However, unlike in Phase 1, participants squat down at maximum speed until the thigh is parallel to the floor upon a signal and hold that position for 3 seconds. Subsequently, they stand up as quickly as possible upon another signal. This exercise is performed in 3 sets of 8 repetitions for each leg.

Phase 3 (3 weeks: 5 training sessions and 1 measurement session)
In Phase 3, single-leg jump-to-landing training will be performed. From a single-leg standing position, the participant squats down as quickly as possible until the knee flexion angle reaches approximately 90 degree upon a signal and then jumps upward as high as possible. Afterward, the participant performs a single-leg landing, squats down until the thigh is parallel to the floor, and holds the position for 3 seconds on one leg. This exercise is performed in 3 sets of 8 repetitions for each leg.

Interventions/Control_2

For the "with-coaching" group (intervention group), we will provide lectures on ACL injury mechanisms, risky deceleration forms, and safe movement patterns. Furthermore, during the training period, direct instructions-such as identifying risky motions and providing corrections to ensure safe movement-will be given for individual performances. In contrast, the "without-coaching" group (control group) will not receive lectures on injury mechanisms or specific movement coaching. They will only be provided with basic instructions regarding general safety and standard forms for training exercises.

Interventions/Control_3


Interventions/Control_4


Interventions/Control_5


Interventions/Control_6


Interventions/Control_7


Interventions/Control_8


Interventions/Control_9


Interventions/Control_10



Eligibility

Age-lower limit

11 years-old <=

Age-upper limit

15 years-old >=

Gender

Male

Key inclusion criteria

Male athletes aged 11 to 15 years who belong to a handball school club or a handball club team, with at least six months of competitive experience in handball.

Key exclusion criteria

1) Individuals who have sustained a severe injury requiring surgery within the past six months.
2) Individuals who are unable to participate in regular exercise due to pain, illness, or other medical conditions during the study period.

Target sample size

40


Research contact person

Name of lead principal investigator

1st name Yohei
Middle name
Last name Shimokochi

Organization

Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences

Division name

School of Sport Sciences

Zip code

590-0496

Address

1-1 Asashirodai, Kumatori-cho, Sennangun, Osaka, 590-0496, Japan

TEL

072-453-8903

Email

yshimoko@ouhs.ac.jp


Public contact

Name of contact person

1st name Yohei
Middle name
Last name Shimokochi

Organization

Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences

Division name

School of Sport Sciences

Zip code

590-0496

Address

1-1 Asashirodai, Kumatori-cho, Sennangun, Osaka, 590-0496, Japan

TEL

072-453-8903

Homepage URL


Email

yshimoko@ouhs.ac.jp


Sponsor or person

Institute

Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences

Institute

Department

Personal name



Funding Source

Organization

Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences

Organization

Division

Category of Funding Organization

Other

Nationality of Funding Organization



Other related organizations

Co-sponsor


Name of secondary funder(s)



IRB Contact (For public release)

Organization

Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences

Address

1-1 Asashirodai, Kumatori-cho, Sennan-gun, Osaka, 590-0496, Japan

Tel

072-453-7022

Email

yshimoko@ouhs.ac.jp


Secondary IDs

Secondary IDs

NO

Study ID_1


Org. issuing International ID_1


Study ID_2


Org. issuing International ID_2


IND to MHLW

Osaka


Institutions

Institutions



Other administrative information

Date of disclosure of the study information

2026 Year 03 Month 02 Day


Related information

URL releasing protocol


Publication of results

Unpublished


Result

URL related to results and publications


Number of participants that the trial has enrolled


Results


Results date posted


Results Delayed


Results Delay Reason


Date of the first journal publication of results


Baseline Characteristics


Participant flow


Adverse events


Outcome measures


Plan to share IPD


IPD sharing Plan description



Progress

Recruitment status

Preinitiation

Date of protocol fixation

2026 Year 03 Month 01 Day

Date of IRB


Anticipated trial start date

2026 Year 04 Month 01 Day

Last follow-up date

2026 Year 07 Month 31 Day

Date of closure to data entry


Date trial data considered complete


Date analysis concluded



Other

Other related information



Management information

Registered date

2026 Year 03 Month 02 Day

Last modified on

2026 Year 03 Month 02 Day



Link to view the page

Value
https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/icdr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000069558