The Role of Muscle Function as a Potential Risk and/or Protective Factor for Traumatic Knee Injury in Youth Female Athletes
Conditions: ACL Injury, Meniscus Lesion, Cartilage Injury, Ligament Injury
Sponsor: Lund University

 
1 (1) 
 
Study protocol - NCT03479775. Muscle Function and 
Traumatic Knee Injury in Sports. Updated May 15. 
 
Methods 
Study design and subjects  
A prospective cohort design is being used for the present study comprising 
approximately 100 (determined by power analysis) female athletes (age 15-
19) from Swedish senior high schools who are involved in high risk sports 
(soccer, handball, floorball and basket). So far, 52 athletes have been tested 
and included in the study. The athletes have been invited from schools 
located in the west and south region of Sweden. All athletes are provided 
written information and sign informed consent prior to data collection. 
Athletes with illness, which might affect the test results, or an injury to the 
lower extremity at the time of baseline data collection will be excluded. The 
project has been approved by the Human Ethics Committee at Gothenburg 
University, Sweden (929-13, year 2014).   
  
Procedure and baseline assessment  
Prior to the study introduction, education of test leaders and reliability testing 
of the test battery was made during spring 2017. The study started autumn 
2017 with assessment of muscle function at baseline for athletes in the west 
region, instructed and supervised by two test leaders. Before the test session 
the athlete is informed and tutored about the injury and exposure registration 
procedure. Measurements takes place in a secluded room at the athletes’ 
school and carried out during the first semester (autumn 2017 and autumn 
2018). Data relating to sport affiliation, number of years of specific sport 
training, the number of training hours per week and her/his training routines, 
level of competition and participation in other sports, age, body weight and 
height are also conducted using a questionnaire. After the baseline 
assessment, the athletes participate in a continuous web based prospective 
injury registration protocol and be followed for two years.   
  
Time plan  
Spring 2017 –Education of test leaders for the west part of Sweden and 
reliability testing of test  
battery   
Autumn 2017 – 2020 Baseline assessment  
From autumn 2017 to spring 2022 – Injury and exposure data will be 
collected.  
Autumn 2022 - Data analysis and manuscript writing.