American Football PlayersNCT07540247
NEUROATHLETIC AND REACTIVE TRAINING IN AMERICAN FOOTBALL PLAYERS
A study testing Neuroathletic Training and Reactive Training in people with American Football Players and Neuroathletic Training, run by Ebru Tekin at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study aims to compare the effects of neuroathletic training, reactive training, and routine team training in American football players. American football requires not only strength, speed, agility, and balance, but also rapid reaction, decision-making, and appropriate motor responses. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- American Football Players, Neuroathletic Training, Reactive Training
- What is being tested?
- Neuroathletic Training and Reactive Training
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 45 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 12 Dec 2025to 8 Apr 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 30 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged 18-30 years Holding an active American football license during the study season Competing at the university, semi-professional, or professional level Regular participation in team training (6-10 hours per week) At least one year of continuous competitive American football experience Having a structured training background in American football Free from color blindness Free from attention-related disorders Free from any health condition that could affect neuromuscular, reactive, or sport-specific performance
Who cannot join
- Injury within the previous 3 months resulting in absence from training or competition for more than 2 weeks Upper or lower extremity surgery within the previous 6 months History of neurological, vestibular, or cardiovascular disorders that could interfere with neuroathletic training or performance assessments COVID-19 infection within the previous 6 months
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effects of Neuroathletic Training and Reactive Training on Physical Performance, Injury Risk, and Reaction Time in American Football Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This study aims to compare the effects of neuroathletic training, reactive training, and routine team training in American football players. American football requires not only strength, speed, agility, and balance, but also rapid reaction, decision-making, and appropriate motor responses. Therefore, training approaches targeting the nervous system and reaction skills may contribute to both performance enhancement and injury risk reduction.
Active American football players aged 18-30 are randomly assigned to neuroathletic training, reactive training, or control groups. The intervention groups participate in additional exercise sessions twice a week for four weeks, while the control group continues routine team training only. Assessments are performed before and after the intervention period.
Outcome measures include Y Balance Test, Functional Movement Screen, Reactive Balance Test, core endurance test, and sit-and-reach test. These assessments are used to examine reaction performance, dynamic balance, postural control, movement quality, core endurance, and flexibility. The findings are expected to help identify the most effective training approach for improving performance and reducing injury risk in American football players.
- Being tested
- Neuroathletic Training, Reactive Training
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Neuroathletic TrainingOther
A structured exercise program designed to improve the integration of visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive inputs in order to enhance motor control, balance, reaction ability, coordination, and physical performance. Participants in this group receive neuroathletic exercises in addition to routine team training, twice weekly for 4 weeks, with each session lasting 10-15 minutes.
Reactive TrainingOther
Participants receive a reactive training program in addition to routine team training. The program includes exercises performed with a light-based system and is designed to improve reaction speed, visual-motor response, dynamic balance, coordination, and decision-making ability. Training is performed twice weekly for 4 weeks, with sessions lasting 10-15 minutes.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Neuroathletic Training Group | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Neuroathletic Training |
| Reactive Training Group | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Reactive Training |
| Control Group | No intervention | Not described |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Functional Movement Screen
The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) consists of seven movement tasks designed to assess the balance between mobility and stability: deep squat, hurdle step, inline lunge, shoulder mobility, active straight leg raise, trunk rotary stability, and trunk stability push-up. The test was administered using a standard test kit, and each movement was scored on a scale from 0 to 3 according to the standard scoring system. In the presence of pain, the relevant movement was recorded as 0 points (Altundağ et al., 2021).
Measured: At baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention
Y Balance Test
Dynamic balance and postural control were assessed using the Y Balance Test. Participants stood on the fixed platform with their non-dominant lower extremity while reaching in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions with the contralateral lower extremity. Three trials were performed in each direction, and reach distances were normalized to lower extremity length to calculate the composite score. Lower extremity length was measured as the distance between the anterior superior iliac spine and the medial malleolus (Unver et al., 2020).
Measured: At baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention
Reactive Balance Test
The Reactive Balance Test was used to assess reactive postural control and visuomotor response performance associated with injury risk. This test consisted of the integration of the Y Balance Test setup with an LED-based light system (ReactionX) controlled via a smartphone application. The LED lights were positioned at 80% of the participants' maximum reach distance in each direction during the Y Balance Test. Participants were instructed to maintain balance in the standard starting position and deactivate the randomly illuminated LED lights as quickly as possible. A total of 45 visual stimuli were presented at varying intervals ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 seconds to minimize anticipatory effects. Test outcomes were recorded as visuomotor reaction time (ms) and accuracy (%). The test was performed twice; the first trial was considered a familiarization trial, and the results of the second trial were used for analysis (Tekin et al., 2025).
Measured: At baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention
Secondary outcomes (2)
Core Endurance Test
Core endurance was assessed using the prone plank test. Participants were instructed to lift their body off the mat in a prone position so that only their elbows and toes remained in contact with the surface. The test was terminated if they were unable to correct a disruption in posture within more than three seconds. The test was performed three times, and the mean duration was used for analysis (Unver et al., 2020).
Measured: At baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention
Sit-and-Reach Test
Flexibility was assessed using the sit-and-reach test. Participants were asked to remove their shoes, sit with their feet placed against the testing box, and reach forward as far as possible without bending their knees. The test was performed twice, and the highest value was recorded in centimeters (Mayorga-Vega et al., 2014).
Measured: At baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Apr 2026
- Study start12 Dec 2025
- Primary completion1 Mar 2026
- Study completion8 Apr 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for American Football PlayersStudies 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
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 45 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ebru Tekin
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Ebru Tekin, Balikesir University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07540247
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025/24
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 11 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 20 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effects of Neuroathletic Training and Reactive Training on Physical Performance, Injury Risk, and Reaction Time in American Football Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07540247
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2025/24
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 45 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Ebru TekinUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 12 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 8 Apr 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 20 Apr 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.
This study aims to compare the effects of neuroathletic training, reactive training, and routine team training in American football players. American football requires not only strength, speed, agility, and balance, but also rapid reaction, decision-making, and appropriate motor responses. Therefore, training approaches targeting the nervous system and reaction skills may contribute to both performance enhancement and injury risk reduction.
Active American football players aged 18-30 are randomly assigned to neuroathletic training, reactive training, or control groups. The intervention groups participate in additional exercise sessions twice a week for four weeks, while the control group continues routine team training only. Assessments are performed before and after the intervention period.
Outcome measures include Y Balance Test, Functional Movement Screen, Reactive Balance Test, core endurance test, and sit-and-reach test. These assessments are used to examine reaction performance, dynamic balance, postural control, movement quality, core endurance, and flexibility. The findings are expected to help identify the most effective training approach for improving performance and reducing injury risk in American football players.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Neuroathletic Training Group | Experimental | Other: Neuroathletic Training |
| Reactive Training Group | Experimental | Other: Reactive Training |
| Control Group | No intervention | – |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Aged 18-30 years Holding an active American football license during the study season Competing at the university, semi-professional, or professional level Regular participation in team training (6-10 hours per week) At least one year of continuous competitive American football experience Having a structured training background in American football Free from color blindness Free from attention-related disorders Free from any health condition that could affect neuromuscular, reactive, or sport-specific performance
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Injury within the previous 3 months resulting in absence from training or competition for more than 2 weeks Upper or lower extremity surgery within the previous 6 months History of neurological, vestibular, or cardiovascular disorders that could interfere with neuroathletic training or performance assessments COVID-19 infection within the previous 6 months
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Neuroathletic TrainingA structured exercise program designed to improve the integration of visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive inputs in order to enhance motor control, balance, reaction ability, coordination, and physical performance. Participants in this group receive neuroathletic exercises in addition to routine team training, twice weekly for 4 weeks, with each session lasting 10-15 minutes. | Other | Neuroathletic Training Group |
| Reactive TrainingParticipants receive a reactive training program in addition to routine team training. The program includes exercises performed with a light-based system and is designed to improve reaction speed, visual-motor response, dynamic balance, coordination, and decision-making ability. Training is performed twice weekly for 4 weeks, with sessions lasting 10-15 minutes. | Other | Reactive Training Group |
Primary outcome
Functional Movement Screen
Time frame: At baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention
The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) consists of seven movement tasks designed to assess the balance between mobility and stability: deep squat, hurdle step, inline lunge, shoulder mobility, active straight leg raise, trunk rotary stability, and trunk stability push-up. The test was administered using a standard test kit, and each movement was scored on a scale from 0 to 3 according to the standard scoring system. In the presence of pain, the relevant movement was recorded as 0 points (Altundağ et al., 2021).
Y Balance Test
Time frame: At baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention
Dynamic balance and postural control were assessed using the Y Balance Test. Participants stood on the fixed platform with their non-dominant lower extremity while reaching in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions with the contralateral lower extremity. Three trials were performed in each direction, and reach distances were normalized to lower extremity length to calculate the composite score. Lower extremity length was measured as the distance between the anterior superior iliac spine and the medial malleolus (Unver et al., 2020).
Reactive Balance Test
Time frame: At baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention
The Reactive Balance Test was used to assess reactive postural control and visuomotor response performance associated with injury risk. This test consisted of the integration of the Y Balance Test setup with an LED-based light system (ReactionX) controlled via a smartphone application. The LED lights were positioned at 80% of the participants' maximum reach distance in each direction during the Y Balance Test. Participants were instructed to maintain balance in the standard starting position and deactivate the randomly illuminated LED lights as quickly as possible. A total of 45 visual stimuli were presented at varying intervals ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 seconds to minimize anticipatory effects. Test outcomes were recorded as visuomotor reaction time (ms) and accuracy (%). The test was performed twice; the first trial was considered a familiarization trial, and the results of the second trial were used for analysis (Tekin et al., 2025).
2 secondary outcomes
Core Endurance Test
Time frame: At baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention
Sit-and-Reach Test
Time frame: At baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Neuroathletic Training and Reactive Training in people with American Football Players and Neuroathletic Training, run by Ebru Tekin at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 1 inclusion and 1 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Apr 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Functional Movement Screen (time frame: At baseline and immediately after the 4-week intervention). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. 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 20 Apr 2026.