Effect of Stop-X Injury Prevention Program on LESS and Proprioception of Child ‎Soccer Players with Dynamic Knee Valgus

Abstract

Purpose: The risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in childhood has increased in recent decades and could be a major threat to a child's sports career. An increased risk of ACL injury is associated with dynamic knee valgus (DKV). Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the effect of an ACL injury protocol on the LESS, proprioception, and DKV of child soccer players. Methods: In this study, thirty male football players with DKV (mean ± SD: age 11.40 ± .72 years, weight 36.62 ± 4.68 kg, height 141.10 ± 3.98 m) were randomly assigned into two groups: control (n=15) and training (n=15). Single-leg landing, LESS, and knee joint proprioception tests were administered before and after the implementation of the training protocol. After identifying the variables, the training group performed the injury proprioception program for eight weeks, with three training sessions each lasting 20–25 minutes per week. The control group continued their normal warm-up routine. To examine the difference between the pre-test and post-test, repeated measures ANOVA was conducted using SPSS 26 software with a significance level of 0.05. Results: The results of the research showed that after eight weeks of the injury prevention program, there was a significant improvement in reducing the valgus angle of the knee (p=0.005, F=9.369, η²=0.251), reducing the LESS scores (p=0.002, F=12.374, η²=0.306) and improving proprioception (p=0.003, F=10.251, η²=0.268). Conclusion: According to the results of the research, it can be concluded that Stop-X injury prevention program can lead to improvements in knee valgus pattern, LESS and proprioception in child soccer players. Using the results of this research is recommended to soccer coaches and training experts.

Keywords

• dynamic knee valgus
• injury prevention program
• landing error screen system
• anterior cruciate ligament
• ‎proprioception