Falling Techniques Training for ACL Injury

Overseen By Boyi Dai, Ph.D.

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Wyoming

Disqualifiers: Major injuries, Pregnancy, Allergies, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

60 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Falling Training for ACL Injury?

Research shows that training programs focusing on improving landing techniques, such as increasing knee flexion during landings, can reduce strain on the ACL and potentially lower injury risk. Additionally, using video feedback to teach proper jump-landing techniques has been a key component in improving landing performance, which may support the effectiveness of falling training. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Falling Techniques Training for ACL Injury safe for humans?

The research on training programs for ACL injury prevention, including technique modification and feedback during exercises, suggests that these programs are generally safe. However, some studies indicate that certain training techniques might increase specific knee movements, which could potentially raise injury risk, but adjustments in training can help mitigate this. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

How does Falling Training differ from other treatments for ACL injury?

Falling Training is unique because it focuses on teaching individuals how to fall safely, which is different from traditional ACL injury prevention methods that often emphasize jump-landing techniques and knee moment reduction. This approach may help reduce the risk of injury by improving the body's ability to handle unexpected falls, rather than just focusing on controlled landings. ^{2 6 10 11 12}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The overall purpose of this study is to quantify the effect and retention of one-week training of falling techniques on landing biomechanics associated with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) loading compared to soft-landing techniques in young recreational athletes. The secondary purpose is to assess the safety of the training program. Aim 1: To quantify the effect of one-week training of falling techniques on landing biomechanics during forward, lateral, vertical, and diagonal landings compared to soft-landing techniques. We hypothesize that falling techniques will result in increased knee flexion angles and decreased landing forces, knee abduction and internal rotation angles, and knee moments for all landing directions compared to soft-landing techniques immediately after the training. Aim 2: To assess the retention effects of the falling techniques on landing biomechanics compared to soft landings. We hypothesize that the effects of falling techniques on ACL loading variables will be more highly retained compared to soft-landing techniques two weeks after the training. Aim 3: To identify the safety of the training program. We hypothesize that participants can complete the training without suffering minor, moderate, or major injuries, while occasional minor bruises might be observed.

Research Team

Boyi Dai, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

University of Wyoming

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for young recreational athletes aged 14-30 who play sports involving jump-landing activities at least once a week and exercise twice a week. It's not for those with allergies to adhesives, pregnant individuals, people with conditions limiting full sporting effort, or those with recent major injuries/surgeries.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 14 and 30 years old.

You regularly participate in sports that require jumping and landing, or have played sports at a competitive level in the past.

You need to be physically active by playing sports or exercising for at least 2 hours per week.

Exclusion Criteria

You have received training on how to prevent ACL injuries by learning techniques to avoid falling.

You have a medical condition that makes it difficult for you to participate in sports at your maximum effort.

I was unable to be physically active for over two weeks due to an injury in the last six months.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Training

Participants perform one-week training of single-leg falling techniques

1 week

5 visits (in-person)

Post-training Assessment

Participants' landing mechanics are evaluated after the training

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Retention Assessment

Participants' landing mechanics are evaluated after a two-week break

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after training

2 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Falling Training

Trial Overview The study tests how one-week training in falling techniques affects landing mechanics related to ACL injury risk compared to soft-landing methods. It looks at immediate effects and retention after two weeks, aiming for safer landings without significant injuries.

Participant Groups

Group I: One-week training of falling techniques on landing biomechanics associated with ACL loading Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will perform one-week training of single-leg falling techniques, a post-training assessment, a two-week break, and a retention assessment.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Wyoming

Lead Sponsor

Trials

20

Recruited

1,600+

Findings from Research

Knee extension constraint training for 4 weeks significantly improved knee flexion angles and reduced ground-reaction forces during landing tasks, which are critical for preventing ACL injuries, in a study involving 24 recreational athletes.

The training effects were retained for 4 weeks after the program ended, although the improvements were less pronounced, suggesting that this method could be an effective and time-efficient tool for ACL injury prevention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of knee extension constraint training on knee flexion angle and peak impact ground-reaction force. Liu, H., Wu, W., Yao, W., et al.[2022]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

ACL Injury Prevention Training Results in Modification of Hip and Knee Mechanics During a Drop-Landing Task. [2020]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Instruction of jump-landing technique using videotape feedback: altering lower extremity motion patterns. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Modification of Knee Flexion Angle Has Patient-Specific Effects on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Risk Factors During Jump Landing. [2022]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention framework: incorporating the recent evidence. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of knee extension constraint training on knee flexion angle and peak impact ground-reaction force. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Can technique modification training reduce knee moments in a landing task? [2017]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Self-assessment during Jump Shot Drills Translates to Decreased Vertical Ground Reaction Forces during Single Limb Drop Jump Landing. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Use of Augmented Information for Reducing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Risk During Jump Landings: A Systematic Review. [2022]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Prevention of ACL injury, part II: effects of ACL injury prevention programs on neuromuscular risk factors and injury rate. [2016]

10. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sagittal plane body kinematics and kinetics during single-leg landing from increasing vertical heights and horizontal distances: implications for risk of non-contact ACL injury. [2022]

11. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Trunk and lower extremity long-axis rotation exercise improves forward single leg jump landing neuromuscular control. [2022]

12. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

ACL injury prevention, more effective with a different way of motor learning? [2022]