Effect of combining eight weeks of neuromuscular training with dual cognitive tasks on landing mechanics in futsal players with knee ligament dominance defect: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: The performing of jump and landing in futsal simultaneous with divided attention is one of the most common mechanisms of non-contact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Neuromuscular training has effectively reduced the risk of ACL injury, but the effect of neurocognitive training has received less attention. This study investigated the effect of combining 8 weeks of neuromuscular training with dual cognitive tasks on the landing mechanics of futsal players with knee ligament dominance defects. METHODS: Thirty male futsal players (mean ± SD: age: 21.86 ± 3.27 years) with knee ligament dominance defects were purposefully identified by the tuck jump test and were randomly divided into the intervention and the control group. The intervention group performed dual task (DT) training for three weekly sessions for 8 weeks and 60 min each, while the control group only did activities of daily living. During the drop vertical jump test, 2D landing kinematics in two moments of initial contact (IC) and full flexion (FF) were assessed. Data were analyzed by means of 2 × 2 repeated measures ANOVA followed by post hoc comparison (Bonferroni) at the significance level of (α ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: A significant improvement was observed in the intervention group compared to the control group for the dynamic knee valgus at IC (F(1,28) = 6.33; P = 0.02, ES = 0.31) and FF (F(1,28) = 13.47; P = 0.003, ES = 0.49), knee flexion at IC (F(1,28) = 20.08; P = 0.001, ES = 0.41) and FF (F(1,28) = 13.67; P = 0.001, ES = 0.32), ankle dorsiflexion at IC (F(1,28) = 37.17; P = 0.001, ES = 0.72) and FF (F(1,28) = 14.52; P = 0.002, ES = 0.50), and trunk flexion at FF (F(1,28) = 20.48; P = 0.001, ES = 0.59) angles. Changes in the trunk flexion at IC (F(1,28) = 0.54; P = 0.47, ES = 0.03) and trunk lateral flexion at IC (F(1,28) = 0.006; P = 0.93, ES = 0.00) and FF (F(1,28) = 2.44; P = 0.141, ES = 0.148) angles were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: DT training compared to the control group improved landing mechanics in futsal players with knee ligament dominance defects. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials using the IRCT website with ID number IRCT20210602051477N1 prospectively registered on 20/06/2021.