Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction RehabilitationNCT07314931
The Effects of Neuromuscular Training on Knee Biomechanics During Jump-Landing Among College Basketball Players Post ACL Reconstruction and Rehabilitation
A study testing Neuromuscular Training (NMT) in people with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation and Knee Injuries, run by Universiti Sains Malaysia at 1 site in China.
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 25 years, men only
- Conditions the study is for
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation, Knee Injuries, Biomechanical Data
- What is being tested?
- Neuromuscular Training (NMT)
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 10 Dec 2025to 15 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 18 to 25 years
- Men only
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- 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:Previous ACL injury on the contralateral knee
- Other major lower-limb injuries (e.g., meniscus, cartilage, fractures) in the past 12 months
Show all 9Show fewer
- 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
Who cannot join
None listed.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
China1 site
Chengde Medical University, Affiliated Hospital
Chengde, Hebei, 067000
Jin fa Gu, PhD, +86 15600013102, gujinfa@student.usm.my
About this study
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.
Read more
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
- Being tested
- Neuromuscular Training (NMT)
- Medical subject headings
- Knee Injuries
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Neuromuscular Training (NMT)Behavioural
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
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Neuromuscular Training (NMT) plus Standard Basketball Training | Experimental | 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. Receives: Behavioral: Neuromuscular Training (NMT) |
| Standard Basketball Training | No intervention | 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. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Peak knee valgus angle during single-leg jump-landing (degrees)
Knee valgus angle will be measured using 3D motion capture during a standardized single-leg jump-landing task. The primary endpoint is the peak knee valgus angle (°) during the landing phase, averaged across 3 successful trials.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)
Secondary outcomes (8)
Time to stabilization after landing (seconds)
Dynamic postural stability will be evaluated using force platform data during a standardized single-leg jump-landing task. The endpoint is time to stabilization (TTS, s) following landing, averaged across 3 successful trials.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)
Center of pressure displacement after landing, medial-lateral (millimeters)
Center of pressure (COP) displacement will be quantified from force platform data during a standardized single-leg jump-landing task. The endpoint is COP displacement in the medial-lateral direction (mm), averaged across 3 successful trials.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)
Peak knee flexion angle during single-leg jump-landing (degrees)
Peak knee flexion angle during the landing phase will be measured using 3D motion capture during a standardized single-leg jump-landing task. The endpoint is the peak knee flexion angle (°), averaged across 3 successful trials.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)
Center of pressure displacement after landing, anterior-posterior (millimeters)
Center of pressure (COP) displacement will be quantified from force platform data during a standardized single-leg jump-landing task. The endpoint is COP displacement in the anterior-posterior direction (mm), averaged across 3 successful trials.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)
Countermovement jump height (centimeters)
Explosive lower-limb power will be assessed using a countermovement jump (CMJ) on a force platform. The endpoint is jump height (cm) calculated from flight time, averaged across 3 successful trials.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)
Squat jump height (centimeters)
Explosive lower-limb power will be assessed using a squat jump (SJ) on a force platform. The endpoint is jump height (cm) calculated from flight time, averaged across 3 successful trials.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)
Knee flexion angle at initial contact during single-leg jump-landing (degrees)
Knee flexion angle at initial ground contact will be measured using 3D motion capture during a standardized single-leg jump-landing task. The endpoint is the knee flexion angle at initial contact (°), averaged across 3 successful trials.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)
Peak vertical ground reaction force during single-leg jump-landing (Newtons)
Vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) will be measured using force platforms during a standardized single-leg jump-landing task. The endpoint is peak vGRF (N) during landing, averaged across 3 successful trials.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Jan 2026
- Study start10 Dec 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion5 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion15 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 Reconstruction RehabilitationStudies 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
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group will complete neuromuscular training (NMT) in addition to their regular basketball training, while the control group will continue with regular basketball training only. Both groups will follow the 12-week program at the same time, and their results will be compared to see whether NMT improves knee movement, stability, and sport performance after ACL reconstruction.
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Universiti Sains Malaysia
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Shazlin Shaharudin, Universiti Sains Malaysia
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07314931
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- USM/JEPeM/KK/25030307
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 15 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 7 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effects of Neuromuscular Training on Knee Biomechanics During Jump-Landing Among College Basketball Players Post ACL Reconstruction and Rehabilitation
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07314931
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- USM/JEPeM/KK/25030307
- Conditions
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation, Knee Injuries, Biomechanical Data, Athletic Performance, Physical Fitness, Neuromuscular Training
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Universiti Sains MalaysiaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Dec 2025 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 5 Mar 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 15 May 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 2 Jan 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.
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group will complete neuromuscular training (NMT) in addition to their regular basketball training, while the control group will continue with regular basketball training only. Both groups will follow the 12-week program at the same time, and their results will be compared to see whether NMT improves knee movement, stability, and sport performance after ACL reconstruction.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Neuromuscular Training (NMT) plus Standard Basketball Training | Experimental | Behavioral: Neuromuscular Training (NMT)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. |
| Standard Basketball Training | No intervention | –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. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (9 listed)
- 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:Previous ACL injury on the contralateral knee
Key exclusion criteria (0 listed)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Behavioural | Neuromuscular Training (NMT) plus Standard Basketball Training |
Primary outcome
Peak knee valgus angle during single-leg jump-landing (degrees)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)
Knee valgus angle will be measured using 3D motion capture during a standardized single-leg jump-landing task. The primary endpoint is the peak knee valgus angle (°) during the landing phase, averaged across 3 successful trials.
8 secondary outcomes
Time to stabilization after landing (seconds)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)
Center of pressure displacement after landing, medial-lateral (millimeters)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)
Peak knee flexion angle during single-leg jump-landing (degrees)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)
Center of pressure displacement after landing, anterior-posterior (millimeters)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)
Countermovement jump height (centimeters)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)
Squat jump height (centimeters)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)
Knee flexion angle at initial contact during single-leg jump-landing (degrees)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)
Peak vertical ground reaction force during single-leg jump-landing (Newtons)
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)
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 7 Jan 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes
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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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Neuromuscular Training (NMT) in people with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation and Knee Injuries, run by Universiti Sains Malaysia at 1 site in China.
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 9 inclusion and 0 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 7 Jan 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 China. 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 JINFA GU, PhD candidate (+60 111232 608 ext. +86 1560001310, GUJINFA@student.usm.my), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Peak knee valgus angle during single-leg jump-landing (degrees) (time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 12 weeks (post-intervention)). 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 7 Jan 2026.