The effect of gluteal muscle strengthening on performance and balance in adolescent basketball players with functional ankle instability

To determine the effect of eight weeks of gluteal muscle strengthening exercises on performance and balance in adolescent basketball players with functional ankle instability.

This study is a randomized controlled trial with a parallel‑group design conducted on 40 participants. Allocation will be performed using block randomization generated by the RAND function in Microsoft Excel. Outcome assessors and the data analyst will be blinded.

This randomized controlled trial will be conducted in Shiraz, Iran, at Mehrsam Basketball Club. Participants will be allocated by block randomization to exercise or control groups. The exercise group will perform an eight‑week gluteal strengthening program, while the control group continues regular training. The study is single‑blind, with outcome assessors and the data analyst blinded.

Inclusion criteria: Age 10–17 years; female active basketball players; history of ankle giving way in the past 6 months; IdFAI score >11; history of ankle sprain; no medical contraindication to exercise; informed consent obtained. Exclusion criteria: Acute lower‑limb injury, fracture, or surgery in the past 3 months; acute ankle pain or inflammation at baseline; neurological or systemic diseases affecting balance.

Control group: Participants in the control group will continue their regular and routine basketball training without receiving any additional exercise intervention during the study period. Exercise group: Participants in the exercise group will perform a comprehensive gluteal muscle strengthening exercise program for eight weeks, in addition to their regular basketball training.

Dynamic balance; vertical jump; agility; 10‑m sprint speed with and without the ball; functional ankle instability.

Eligible participants will be randomly allocated to the study groups after baseline assessment and before the start of the intervention. Block randomization with an individual unit of randomization will be used to ensure balanced allocation between groups. The random allocation sequence will be generated using the RAND function in Microsoft Excel. Allocation concealment will be ensured by using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes, which will be opened only after the final enrollment of each participant.

Due to the nature of the exercise intervention, blinding of participants and intervention providers will not be feasible, as participants must be informed about the general study objectives and training procedures. However, participants will not be informed about the type of intervention received by the other group. To minimize bias, outcome assessors and the statistical data analyst will be blinded to group allocation and will not be involved in the randomization or intervention procedures. Blinding will therefore be applied at the level of outcome assessment and data analysis.

Title: De-identified individual participant data, study protocol, statistical analysis plan, clinical study report, and data dictionary Details: De-identified individual participant data (IPD), the study protocol, statistical analysis plan, clinical study report, and data dictionary will be available upon completion of the study and main publication. Access is granted to qualified researchers via a formal request and is subject to approval and commitment to confidentiality.

Access to the documents and de-identified data will commence immediately following the final completion of the study and publication of the main results (primary manuscript). This access will be maintained for a period of at least 5 years from the publication date.

The data will be accessible to all academic and non-academic researchers from scientific and medical institutions. Requests must be submitted by a formal Principal Investigator (PI). The main condition for access is the submission of a scientifically sound analysis plan, signing of a Data Use Agreement (DUA), and a commitment to maintaining participant confidentiality and using the data strictly for research purposes.

Purpose of Use: The primary purpose of data sharing is to enable complementary scientific analyses, replication of primary findings, and re-analysis of the data by independent researchers. Mandatory Conditions: 1. Valid Research Plan: The applicant must submit a scientifically sound research proposal or protocol detailing the intended use of the requested data. 2. Non-Commercial and Research Use: Use of the data and documents must be strictly for research and educational purposes. Any commercial or proprietary use is prohibited. 3. Agreement Signing: The applicant must sign a Data Use Agreement (DUA), committing to the complete confidentiality of participants and explicitly agreeing not to attempt re-identification. 4. Attribution (Citation): If any results are published, the researcher receiving the data must cite the original study (IRCT) and the primary publication.

Applicants must submit a formal request containing a detailed scientific analysis plan, along with their full contact information, to the email address of Dr. Afshin Moghadasi (moghadasi@pnu.ac.ir). Following the review and approval of the proposal by the research team, and upon meeting the required criteria, a Data Use Agreement (DUA) will be issued for signature. Subsequently, the de-identified data will be shared with the applicant.

The process for accessing the data and documentation of the “Effect of Gluteal Muscle Strengthening on Balance and Athletic Performance” study involves four main stages: 1. Formal Application: The applicant must submit a formal request including a detailed scientific analysis plan, full contact details, and a commitment to research-only use, to the email address of the primary contact (Dr. Afshin Moghadasi: moghadasi@pnu.ac.ir). 2. Proposal Review (Estimated Time: 1 to 3 working weeks): The applicant’s request will be reviewed by the study’s research team for scientific merit, alignment with the primary publication objective, and adherence to ethical standards. 3. DUA Execution (Estimated Time: 2 to 4 working weeks): If the proposal is approved, a Data Use Agreement (DUA) will be sent to the applicant. The applicant is required to sign this document and return it to the research team. This agreement mandates a commitment to maintaining confidentiality and not attempting to re-identify participants. 4. Data Provision (Estimated Time: 1 to 3 working days): Upon receipt of the fully executed DUA and finalization of administrative procedures, the de-identified data and approved documentation (protocol, analysis plan, etc.) will be provided to the applicant in electronic files. Overall Time Estimation: The estimated time to complete the entire process, from receiving the initial request to the final provision of data, assuming the applicant provides complete documentation and the proposal is quickly approved, is approximately 3 to 7 working weeks.