Sensorimotor Training to Enhance Performance - the STEP AHEAD Program (STEP AHEAD)

February 4, 2026 updated by: KSchneider, Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre

The goal of this study is to evaluate the effects of SM/NM training in ice hockey players. The specific questions include: 1) typical performance on sensorimotor and neuromuscular (SM/NM) tests 2) evaluate SM/NM training on ice hockey skills performance and SM/NM tests, 3) evaluate SM/NM control to prevent concussions and injuries

Participants will:

Consent and complete a series of SM/NM tests. Participate in their typical training for 4 weeks. Repeat the SM/NM tests. Participate in SM/NM training for 4 weeks as part of their off season training program.

Repeat the SM/NM tests and on ice skills testing. Record any injuries and concussions that they sustain over the next season. Repeat the SM/NM tests and on ice skills tests at the start of the 2025 off season training (estimated May - July of 2025).

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Rationale:

While sensorimotor function is recognized as an important aspect of growth and development, little is known about specific changes in sensorimotor control with sport specific training. Similarly, the relationship between sensorimotor control and sport-specific performance is not yet well understood. Specific rehabilitation exercises have been shown to improve sensorimotor control, many of which are context specific and may also prevent injury and/or concussion. The effect of age on these outcomes and the relationship between training sensorimotor control and age is also not well understood. Thus, evaluation of sensorimotor control outcomes across ages, the effects of sensorimotor training on sensorimotor control and performance is needed and may inform changes to recommendations for sport-specific training.

Ultimately, understanding the effect of training specific sensorimotor systems (which is not a part of typical sport training environments) will inform multiple areas of sport including: 1) Sport-specific performance 2) typical development of SM/NM function, 3) the effect of SM/NM training on SM/NM measures and ice hockey specific physical performance and 4) injury and concussion prevention strategies.

Therefore, the objectives of this study are to:

  1. Describe age and sex specific typical scores on sensorimotor and neuromuscular (proprioception, movement related, balance, vision, divided attention) and ice hockey specific physical performance measures over one off season of training.
  2. Evaluate the effects of a sensorimotor training program on ice hockey skills performance.

  3. Evaluate sensorimotor control as a means to improve safety in sport:

    1. Evaluate the effect of SM/NM training on concussion and injury risk.
    2. Evaluate the effect of previous concussion and injury on sensorimotor function.
  4. Evaluate the effect of SM/NM training on performance of 1) system specific outcomes and 2) sport specific measures in ice hockey players.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

250

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Canada
    • Alberta
      • Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N1N4
        • Recruiting
        • Concussion Rehabilitation Laboratory
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Geoff Schneider, PhD
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Clara Soligon, MSc
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Kirsten Taylor, MSc
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Kerry Worbets, MSc

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:Ice hockey players in Calgary and area who are training with Crash Conditioning for the 2024-2026 off season -

Exclusion Criteria:

N/A

-

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Other
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Sequential Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Sensorimotor and neuromuscular training
Sensorimotor and neuromuscular training added in addition to typical off season ice hockey training as outlined in the typical training arm.
Other: sensorimotor and neuromuscular training
Sensorimotor and neuromuscular training exercises aimed at training the cervical spine neuromuscular control, vestibular system and oculomotor system in addition to ice hockey specific training the incorporates higher level integrated functional activities of these integrated systems. This will be performed at the same frequency as their typical training - four days per week in the gym, one day of yoga or recovery as well as on ice sessions.
Other: Typical off season ice hockey training
Typical training for ice hockey players off season
Active Comparator: Typical off season training
Typical of season training includes strength and conditioning, ice hockey on ice drills as per the Crash Conditioning typical training.
Other: Typical off season ice hockey training
Typical training for ice hockey players off season

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Craniocervical flexion
Time Frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
mmHg, the ability of the participant to perform a craniovertebral flexion task in a controlled way and maintain the position for a minimum of 3 seconds.
0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
Dynamic Visual Acuity
Time Frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
logMAR, Represents the ability of the patient to see clearly with head motion as per Schneider et al 2019=8
0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
Vestibular Ocular Motor Screen (VOMS)
Time Frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
Symptom provocation on tests of vestibulo ocular and oculomotor function, rated on a scale of 0-10 where 0=no symptoms and 10= the worse imaginable, Mucha et al 2014
0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
Advanced Functional Gait Assessment
Time Frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
/48, 16 tests of dynamic balance each rated on a scale of 0-3 with 0 repress unable to complete the task and 3 is able to perfectly complete the task.
0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
Transition Agility Skate
Time Frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
Seconds, Outcome of the transition agility skate on the Hockey Canada skills test
0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Cervical spine range of motion
Time Frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
1=full range of motion, 0=limited range of motion
0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
Anterolateral flexion strength
Time Frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
kilograms (kg), average of three trials in a rotated position to either the right or left and defined according to the position of the head
0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
cervical flexor endurance test
Time Frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
Seconds, the length of time the participant can lift the head in craniovertebral flexion
0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
cervical flexion rotation test
Time Frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
1=positive, 0=negative, a measure of upper cervical spine dysfunction with a positive test suggesting cervicogenic headache, limited range of motion in full flexion by >20 degrees, measured to the right and left
0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
head perturbation test
Time Frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
0-8/8; ability of the individual to maintain their head in a neutral position when an external force of 5lbs is applied
0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
Head thrust test
Time Frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
Positive = 1, Negative =0, Ability of the eyes to maintain a fixed position on a target with rapid head motion
0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) Headache
Time Frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
Headache 0-10 where 0=no symptoms and 10=worst symptom imaginable
0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
Numeric Dizziness Rating Scale (NDRS) Dizziness
Time Frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
dizziness 0-10 where 0=no symptoms and 10=worst symptom imaginable
0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) Neck pain
Time Frame: 0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
neck pain 0-10 where 0=no symptoms and 10=worst symptom imaginable
0 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks each year, up to 2 years
Concussion
Time Frame: yearly, up to 2 years
Defined as per the Amsterdam International Consensus on Concussion in Sport
yearly, up to 2 years

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

May 18, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

July 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

July 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 24, 2024

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 4, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

February 11, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

February 11, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 4, 2026

Last Verified

January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • STEP AHEAD

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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