Comparative Effects of Advanced Neuromuscular and Dynamic Balance Training Among Hockey Players

September 27, 2026 updated by: Riphah International University

Comparative Effects of Advanced Neuromuscular and Dynamic Balance Training on Strength , Balance and Functional Performance Among Hockey Players

This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effects of advanced neuromuscular training and dynamic balance training on strength, balance, and functional performance among male hockey players. A total of 34 participants will be randomly allocated into two intervention groups. Both groups will receive supervised training sessions three times per week for six weeks. Outcomes including lower limb strength, dynamic balance and agility will be assessed before and after the intervention using validated assessment tools. The findings of this study will help determine which training approach is more effective for improving athletic performance and reducing the risk of injury in hockey players.

Study Overview

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

38

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 Locations

    • Punjab Province
      • Gojra, Punjab Province, Pakistan, 36120
        • Gojra Hockey Stadium

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

4 months to 5 months (Child)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

Male

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • • Male participants aged 18 to 25 years. (34)

    • Participants must be licensed, competitive hockey players (field or ice hockey) actively engaged in league play or elite training. (29)
    • Participants should have a minimum of one year of competitive hockey experience. (35)
    • Free from lower limb injuries for a minimum of six months before assessment. (6)
    • No prior functional/neuromuscular training experience. (36)
    • Participants should be actively participating in physical activity for at least 30 minutes per day, three days per week. (37)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • • History of musculoskeletal injuries within the past 12 months.

    • Medical conditions that could limit involvement in training or influence assessment results. (29)
    • Recent involvement in other balance or neuromuscular training programs. (17)

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: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: ADVANCED NEUROMUSCULAR TRAINING

Participants in this group receive an advanced neuromuscular training program focusing on strength, proprioception, agility, and coordination exercises. The training includes progressive drills designed to improve neuromuscular control, dynamic stability, and functional performance. Sessions are conducted under supervision over the study duration as per protocol.

A structured advanced neuromuscular training program including strength, proprioception, agility, and coordination exercises aimed at improving neuromuscular control and dynamic stability. The program is conducted under supervision according to the study protocol.

Active Comparator: DYNAMIC BALANCE TRAINING

Participants in this group receive a dynamic balance training program consisting of exercises aimed at improving postural control, balance, and stability during movement. The program includes dynamic tasks such as balance board activities and controlled movement exercises performed under supervision throughout the study period.

A dynamic balance training program consisting of exercises designed to improve postural control, balance, and movement stability. The training includes dynamic tasks performed under supervision throughout the study period.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Star Excursion Balance Test
Time Frame: [Time Frame: 6 weeks]

It is a dynamic balance test that assesses neuromuscular control and postural stability during multi-directional reaching tasks while standing on one leg. It demonstrates high reliability (ICC = 0.85-0.96) and good validity in identifying lower limb deficits, especially following ankle sprains and in athletic populations. Pre and post assessment will be done.

[Time Frame: 6 weeks]
Single-Leg Hop Distance
Time Frame: [Time Frame: 6 weeks]

It evaluates single-leg functional performance by measuring the maximum horizontal distance achieved during a single forward hop on one leg. The Single-Leg Hop Test will be used to assess lower limb functional performance and dynamic control. The hopping distance will be measured in centimeters (cm). Pre and post assessment will be done.

[Time Frame: 6 weeks]
Triple Hop Distance
Time Frame: [Time Frame: 6 weeks]

It evaluates single-leg functional performance by measuring the maximum horizontal distance achieved during three consecutive forward hops on the same leg. The Triple Hop Test will be used to assess lower limb functional performance, power, and dynamic stability. The total hopping distance will be measured in centimeters (cm). Pre and post assessment will be done.

[Time Frame: 6 weeks]

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Sidra Shafique, MS, Riphah International University

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)

August 15, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

July 15, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

July 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 21, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 27, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

September 29, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

September 29, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 27, 2026

Last Verified

September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • REC/RCR & AHS/25/0440

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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