Exercise Program for Knee Recovery in Football Players with ACL Injuries

King Saud University

Status: Completed

Conditions: ACL Injuries

Treatments: Other: Knee Rehabilitation Exercise Program

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06808763

RSPD-2025R1090

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured exercise program in improving knee function, muscle strength, and range of motion in football players recovering from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. The study seeks to answer whether a rehabilitation program can restore the performance of the injured leg to levels comparable to the uninjured leg and significantly improve knee functionality over time.

Full description

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most common and challenging injuries faced by athletes, particularly football players. These injuries can significantly impact knee stability, muscle strength, and range of motion, making effective rehabilitation essential for a full recovery and return to sports.

This study investigates the impact of a structured exercise program on knee rehabilitation in male football players aged 18-22 years with ACL injuries. The goal is to understand whether this program can restore knee function and strength in the injured leg to levels comparable to the uninjured leg.

The rehabilitation program is designed to be implemented over 22 weeks, starting with five sessions per week and tapering to three sessions per week in the later stages. The program focuses on progressively strengthening the thigh and leg muscles, improving knee flexibility, and enhancing overall joint function.

The study uses a pre- and post-measurement experimental design with a single group of participants. The results will help determine whether structured exercise programs can effectively rehabilitate the knee after ACL injuries, enabling football players to regain performance and reduce the risk of future knee problems.

The findings will contribute valuable insights for sports medicine professionals, physiotherapists, and trainers in developing evidence-based rehabilitation protocols for athletes.

Enrollment: 9 patients

Sex: Male

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Confirmed injury to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).
• Currently active in playing football.

Exclusion criteria

• History of previous surgery to the knee.
• Presence of other musculoskeletal injuries.
• Diagnosis of chronic health conditions.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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9 participants in 1 patient group

Rehabilitation Exercise Program for ACL Injury

Experimental group

Description:

This arm includes a structured rehabilitation exercise program designed to improve knee function, muscle strength, and range of motion in football players with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. The program is conducted over 22 weeks. Measurements of thigh and leg muscle strength, as well as knee range of motion, are taken at baseline, midway, and post-intervention to evaluate the program's effectiveness. This arm aims to assess whether the exercise program restores knee function and supports a safe return to sports.

Treatment:

Other: Knee Rehabilitation Exercise Program