This project will utilize a quasi-experimental, multiple baseline pretest-posttest design where participants will complete postural stability assessments, physical performance assessments, and questionnaires to evaluate perceptions toward injury prevention before and after completing a 6-week neuromuscular-cognitive prevention program.
The I-THINC program will address aspects of cognition (i.e., reaction time/processing speed, working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, attention, and dual-tasking) while completing common movement patterns utilized in tennis (i.e., lateral shuffle, rapid acceleration/deceleration, and postural stability). The proposed program will take place in the participants training facility. The program will be implemented twice per week for six weeks (12 sessions) with each session lasting 20 minutes. To add variety, there will be two complementary programs (A and B) comprising of four exercises increasing in complexity every two weeks. Each week participants will complete Program A during the first session and Program B during the second session.Exercises will progressively challenge cognitive and physical demand. Exercises were designed to address the most common injuries in tennis.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
10
Improved Training Happens with Integrated Neuromuscular and Cognitive Challenge (I-THINC) is an injury prevention program. It will be used to integrate cognitive tasks with traditional sports injury prevention approaches that focus on balance, agility, and neuromuscular control.
Sports Medicine Research Institute
Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Change in single task static postural stability
Single task static postural stability will be assessed with an Accusway Plus force plate.
Time frame: 6 weeks (baseline, one week after baseline, and immediately following the 6 week intervention)
Change in dual task postural stability
Dual task static postural stability will be assessed with an Accusway Plus force plate while completeing an upper extremity reaction time on the Dynavision D2.
Time frame: 6 weeks (baseline, one week after baseline, and immediately following the 6 week intervention)
Change in dynamic postural control
Dynamic postural control will be assessed with the single leg hop.
Time frame: 6 weeks (baseline, one week after baseline, and immediately following the 6 week intervention)
Change in dual task dynamic postural control
Dynamic postural control will be assessed with the single leg hop. An additional cognitive task - responding to LED color cues - will be added.
Time frame: 6 weeks (baseline, one week after baseline, and immediately following the 6 week intervention)
Change in speed, power and agility (single measure)
Speed, power and agility will be measured using the Run Decide Test.
Time frame: 6 weeks (baseline, one week after baseline, and immediately following the 6 week intervention)
Change in reactive agility
Reactive agility will be assessed with the 4x4 box drill.
Time frame: 6 weeks (baseline, one week after baseline, and immediately following the 6 week intervention)
Change in lower extremity reaction time
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Lower extremity reaction time will be assessed with the lower extremity reaction test, deactivating sensors as quickly as possible with their foot.
Time frame: 6 weeks (baseline, one week after baseline, and immediately following the 6 week intervention)
Change in HBMS
Health Belief Model Scale (HBMS) is used to assess behavioral determinants of exercise related injury prevention programs and is comprised of six subscales: susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy. Participants rate how strongly they agree or disagree with the statements on a Likert scale ranging from 3 to -3, with a 3 indicating strongly agree and -3 indicating strongly disagree. Positive responses indicate a positive perception towards injury prevention programs, except the barrier subscale where positive responses indicate a negative perception towards injury prevention programs.
Time frame: 6 weeks (baseline, one week after baseline, and immediately following the 6 week intervention)
Participant engagement
The participant engagement survey will contain Likert Scale (1-5) questions to provide a quantitative analysis of satisfaction with the program. A 1 indicates strongly disagree and a 5 indicates strongly agree. The range is 7-35, and higher scores indicate increased engagement.
Time frame: at 6 weeks
Compliance
Compliance will be based on the percentage of sessions attended by participants.
Time frame: 6 weeks