Studies in Sport Medicine

Comparison of performance, balance and proprioception in footballers prone to anterior cruciate ligament injury and those without injury

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

mohammad seifi 1
amin azimkhani 2
Sadegh Abbasian 3
mohammadreza sedaghatnia 1

1 Master of Science in Sports Pathology and Corrective Exercises, Imam Reza International University, Mashhad, Iran

2 Department of Sports Science. Imam Reza International University.

3 Academic staff of the Department of Sport Sciences, Farhangian University of Mashhad

10.22089/smj.2026.18973.1847
Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare performance, balance and proprioception between two groups of soccer players, including the ACL Prone group and the uninjured group, in order to identify the main risk factors in vulnerability. Using ANOVA and independent T-tests, significant differences in performance and balance between groups were confirmed. The results showed that the uninjured group scored better in both functional and balance components (P<0.001), which is consistent with underlying neuromuscular deficits and inappropriate movement patterns during landing. These findings are strongly consistent with internal and external studies on the importance of neuromuscular control in injury prevention. The noteworthy point was that there was no statistically significant difference in static proprioception (P=0.152). This lack of difference, contrary to some external backgrounds, is probably due to the static nature of the test used compared to dynamic tests. In conclusion, this study concludes that impairments in performance and dynamic balance are more discriminating indicators for ACL risk screening, and preventive programs should emphasize modification of active movement patterns.

Keywords

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
injury susceptibility
function
balance
proprioception
Subjects
Studies in Sport Medicine

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 28 October 2026

  • Receive Date 24 December 2025
  • Revise Date 07 September 2026
  • Accept Date 14 September 2026

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