1. Home
  2. Approved trials
  3. » فارسی

A comparison of the effects of six weeks of neuromuscular training and core stability training on dynamic balance, functional movement, and knee joint proprioception in young taekwondo athletes with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS)

Protocol summary

Study aim
Effects of six weeks of neuromuscular training and core stability training on dynamic balance, functional movement, and knee joint proprioception in young taekwondo athletes with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Design
Randomized, single-blind, parallel-group clinical trial in which participants are allocated to study groups using a simple randomization (drawing) method
Settings and conduct
Study location: Barsam Javaneh Taekwondo Academy, located at Molla Fathollah Street, Moshfegh Kashani Street, Kashan, Iran; Study population: young taekwondo athletes with patellofemoral pain syndrome; Blinding type: single-blind; Blinding method: the outcome assessor will be blinded to group allocation.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Presence of anterior knee pain during at least two daily or sports-related activities; diagnosis of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) by a physiotherapist or sports medicine specialist; no history of severe knee injury within the past six months; regular participation in taekwondo training at least three sessions per week. Exclusion criteria: History of lower-extremity surgery; history of severe knee injury (ligament, meniscus injury, or fracture) within the past six months
Intervention groups
Intervention group: Neuromuscular training and core stability exercises for 6 weeks, 3 sessions per week, aimed at improving dynamic balance, functional movement, and knee proprioception in taekwondo athletes with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Control group: No specific training intervention; participants will continue their usual taekwondo training during the 6-week study period
Main outcome variables
Dynamic Balance; Functional Movement Performance; Knee Joint Proprioception

General information

Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number: IRCT20260606069658N1
Registration date: 2026-08-01, 1405/05/10
Registration timing: prospective

Last update: 2026-08-01, 1405/05/10
Update count: 0
Registration date
2026-08-01, 1405/05/10
Registrant information
Name
Matin Zohrei
Name of organization / entity
The university of arak
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 86 3262 0000
Email address
m.zohrei.03@msc.araku.ac.ir
Recruitment status
Recruitment complete
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2026-08-22, 1405/05/31
Expected recruitment end date
2026-08-25, 1405/06/03
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
A comparison of the effects of six weeks of neuromuscular training and core stability training on dynamic balance, functional movement, and knee joint proprioception in young taekwondo athletes with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS)
Public title
The effect of neuromuscular training and core stability on patellofemoral pain syndrome
Purpose
Education/Guidance
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Presence of anterior knee pain during at least two daily or sports-related activities (e.g., squatting, running, stair climbing, or prolonged sitting). Diagnosis of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) by a physiotherapist or sports medicine specialist. Regular participation in taekwondo training sessions at least three times per week
Exclusion criteria:
History of severe knee injury (e.g., ligament injury, meniscal injury, or fracture) within the previous six months History of lower-extremity surgery
Age
From 18 years old to 25 years old
Gender
Male
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
No information
Sample size
Target sample size: 36
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
Block randomization will be used, with the individual participant as the unit of randomization. The random allocation sequence will be generated using a random number table, and following baseline assessments, participants will be assigned to one of three groups: the neuromuscular training group, the core stability training group, or the control group (no intervention or routine training). Allocation concealment will be ensured using sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes. Outcome assessors will be blinded to group allocation
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Not blinded
Blinding description
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Parallel
Other design features

Secondary Ids

empty

Ethics committees

1

Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
Ethics Committee of Arak University
Street address
Sardasht Boulevard, Basij Square
City
Arak
Province
Markazi
Postal code
۳۸۱۸۱۷۵۸۴۶
Approval date
2026-03-16, 1404/12/25
Ethics committee reference number
IR.ARAKU.REC.1404.072

Health conditions studied

1

Description of health condition studied
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
ICD-10 code
M22.2
ICD-10 code description
Patellofemoral disorders

Primary outcomes

1

Description
Dynamic Balance:
Timepoint
Baseline (before the intervention) and after 6 weeks of intervention
Method of measurement
Dynamic balance will be assessed using the Y Balance Test (YBT)

2

Description
Functional Movement
Timepoint
Baseline (before the intervention) and after 6 weeks of intervention.
Method of measurement
using the Single-Leg Squat Test (SLST) and the Single-Leg Hop Test (SLH

3

Description
Knee Joint Proprioception
Timepoint
Baseline (before the intervention) and after 6 weeks of intervention
Method of measurement
Knee joint proprioception will be assessed using the Joint Position Reproduction Test (JPRT)

Secondary outcomes

empty

Intervention groups

1

Description
Intervention group 1: Neuromuscular Training ،Participants in this group will perform a neuromuscular training program for 6 weeks, 3 sessions per week. Each session will last approximately 45–60 minutes and will include warm-up exercises, balance training, neuromuscular control exercises, proprioceptive exercises, lower-extremity functional exercises, and cool-down. All sessions will be supervised by the researcher
Category
Rehabilitation

2

Description
Intervention group 2: Core Stability Training،Participants in this group will perform a core stability training program for 6 weeks, 3 sessions per week. Each session will last approximately 45–60 minutes and will include warm-up exercises, core muscle strengthening exercises, trunk control exercises, balance exercises, and cool-down. All sessions will be supervised by the researcher
Category
Rehabilitation

3

Description
Control group: Participants in the control group will not receive either of the study interventions during the 6-week study period and will continue their routine taekwondo training. After completion of the study, the training program will be made available to them if requested
Category
N/A

Recruitment centers

1

Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Barsam javaneh taekwondo academy
Full name of responsible person
Matin Zohrei
Street address
Barsam Javaneh Taekwondo Academy, Moshfegh Kashani Street, Molla Fathollah Street
City
Kashan
Province
Isfehan
Postal code
8715956313
Phone
+98 31 5562 0728
Email
matin.zohrei@gmail.com

Sponsors / Funding sources

1

Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
The University of Arak
Full name of responsible person
Dr. Shahnaz Shajrjerdi
Street address
University of Arak, Sardasht Boulevard, Basij Square, Arak
City
Arak
Province
Markazi
Postal code
۳۸۱۸۱۷۵۸۴۶
Phone
+98 86 3262 0000
Email
Shahrjerdi.shahnaz@gmail.com
Grant name
Grant code / Reference number
Is the source of funding the same sponsor organization/entity?
Yes
Title of funding source
The University of Arak
Proportion provided by this source
100
Public or private sector
Public
Domestic or foreign origin
Domestic
Category of foreign source of funding
empty
Country of origin
Type of organization providing the funding
Academic

Person responsible for general inquiries

Contact
Name of organization / entity
The university of arak
Full name of responsible person
Matin Zohrei
Position
Master student
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Sport injury
Street address
Basij square,Sardasht Blvd,University of arak
City
Arak
Province
Markazi
Postal code
۳۸۱۸۱۷۵۸۴۶
Phone
+98 86 3262 0000
Fax
Email
m.zohrei.03@msc.araku.ac.ir

Person responsible for scientific inquiries

Contact
Name of organization / entity
The university of arak
Full name of responsible person
Matin Zohrei
Position
Master student
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Sport injury
Street address
University of Arak, Sardasht Boulevard, Basij Square
City
Arak
Province
Markazi
Postal code
۳۸۱۸۱۷۵۸۴۶
Phone
+98 86 3262 0000
Fax
Email
m.zohrei.03@msc.araku.ac.ir

Person responsible for updating data

Contact
Name of organization / entity
The university of arak
Full name of responsible person
Matin Zohrei
Position
Master student
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Sport injury
Street address
University of Arak, Sardasht Boulevard, Basij Square
City
Arak
Province
Markazi
Postal code
۳۸۱۸۱۷۵۸۴۶
Phone
+98 86 3262 0000
Fax
Email
m.zohrei.03@msc.araku.ac.ir

Sharing plan

Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Study Protocol
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Statistical Analysis Plan
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Informed Consent Form
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Clinical Study Report
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Analytic Code
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Data Dictionary
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Loading...