Clinical Research Directory

Influence of Core Training on Fatigue, Balance and Performance in Adolescent Football Players

Background: Adolescent football players are exposed to high physical and psychological demands due to intensive training, frequent matches, travel, and limited recovery time. These factors can lead to early fatigue, reduced balance, and lower technical performance, all of which may increase the risk of non-contact injuries. The muscles of the trunk (core muscles) help stabilize the spine and pelvis, transfer forces between the upper and lower limbs, and maintain postural control during sport-specific movements. Weak core stability has been linked to poorer balance, reduced fatigue resistance, and suboptimal performance. Although core training is widely used in sports, there is limited evidence on its combined effects on fatigue, balance, and football-specific performance in adolescent players. Objectives: This randomized controlled trial aims to examine whether an 8-week core training program can improve fatigue resistance, balance, and football performance in adolescent football players compared with usual training alone. Methods: This is a pre-post, parallel-group randomized controlled trial conducted at Wadi Degla Football Club. Eligible participants are male adolescent football players aged 14-18 years from the 2005, 2006, and 2007 teams, who train regularly (at least 6 hours per week), have a body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m², and have been free from lower-limb injury or surgery for at least 6 months. Players with recent major lower-limb injuries, surgery, or irregular training will be excluded. Participants will be randomly allocated into two groups using computer-generated random numbers: (1) a core-training group, which receives an 8-week structured core exercise program in addition to their usual football training, and (2) a control group, which continues usual football training without additional core exercises. Both groups will be assessed before and after the intervention period. Outcome measures will include fatigue-related performance, static and/or dynamic balance, and football-specific performance tests. Potential Benefits and Risks: The study may help clarify whether adding core training to routine football practice can enhance fatigue resistance, balance, and functional performance in adolescent football players and potentially reduce injury risk. The exercises are commonly used in sports settings and are considered low risk for healthy athletes; no significant risks beyond normal football training are anticipated. Participation is voluntary, and players may withdraw from the study at any time without any consequences for their team status or medical care.

Validity - Reliability of Berg Balance Scale in Albanian Population

Cross-cultural adaptation, validity and Reliability of Berg Balance Scale in Albanian population

LSVT Big and Dual Task Training in Cognitive Impaired Patients

The goal of this study ifs to determine the comparative effects of Lee Silverman voice treatment Big and dual task training on balance, cognition and functional mobility in older adults with cognitive impairment. Perform LSVT big four times in a week for about 4 months. Perform dual task training four times in a week for about 4 months. Complete assessments at baseline, the 4th, 8th, 12th weeks, and a follow-up at the 16th week. Outcome measures include Mini BESTest, MoCA, stroop test and time up and go test. Statistical analyses will assess within-group and between-group effects based on data distribution.

Floor-hugging Intervention: Managing Fear of Falling Through Floor Exposure and Developing After-fall Contingency

Fear of falling is a major public health problem and is characterized by a lack of confidence in one's ability to maintain balance and prevent falls. The fear can range from reasonable precautions to avoid slippery surfaces to an overwhelming fear that prevents people from performing everyday activities. Several factors contribute to this fear, including physical, psychological, social and environmental factors. These factors can not only lead to an increased tendency to fall, but also to increased anxiety, depression and social isolation, which can ultimately impair the individual's physical and mental health. Current approaches to help have only limited or moderate success, often because they do not take into account how the environment affects people's relationship with the floor. For example, in urbanized societies, people spend less time in contact with the floor, which may have led to an individual's perception of the floor changing. This connection is not only physical, but can also involve a lack of mental and sensory familiarity. Without regular interaction with the floor in different positions, the individual may feel insecure or unfamiliar with the floor. This unfamiliarity can increase anxiety and encourage hypervigilant behavior that can lead to a fear of falling. Similarly, unfamiliarity with the floor can also contribute to a person's ability to respond effectively to a fall, often leaving the person unsure of what steps to take next. The Floor-Hugging Intervention (Floor-HI) is a new intervention that can address these issues. The intervention consists of three main parts: learning how to get down on the floor, familiarizing oneself with the floor, and learning how to get back up. In the first part, participants learn how to lie down on the floor using evidence-based methods. The participant then practices lying on the floor to become more comfortable and less anxious. By repeatedly practicing lying on the floor in a safe environment, the intervention aims to break the connection between the floor and the fear associated with it, while promoting a more positive and confident mindset. The third part of Floor-HI is to teach strategies for getting up from the floor. This is important to help participants gain the confidence and physical strength to recover from falls. Participants are given practice in different ways to get up, first with the help of furniture and then without assistance. The training aims not only to improve participants' physical abilities but also their confidence in dealing with falls. Each session of the Floor HI programme is designed to last 1 hour and to be performed three times a week for three weeks. The training would be divided equally between getting used to the floor and learning to stand up. The results of the programme would be evaluated by assessing its impact on participants' fear of falling, static and dynamic balance, fall frequency, ability to get up from the floor and general quality of life. In addition, the acceptability of the intervention and any adverse events occurring as a result of participation in the intervention will also be collected. In conclusion, Floor-HI can be a good way to manage the fear of falling by focusing on both mental and physical aspects, which can ultimately help people to live more active and fulfilling lives.