The Prevent Injury and Enhance Performance Training Program Enhances Postural Control in Soccer Players with and without Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Objective. The purpose of the present study was to investigate and compare the effect of prevent injury and enhance performance (PEP) training program on the center of pressure (CoP) displacement in soccer players with and without anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Materials and methods. Twenty-one soccer players (male; median age 25.43 years) 15.12 months post- ACLR, and twenty-on healthy soccer players (male; median age 22.79 years) underwent postural control assessment during a single-leg landing task. The mean and maximal CoP displacement in anteroposterior (A-P) and mediolateral (M-L) directions was evaluated in both groups before and after eight-week of PEP training program. Differences in all variables were analyzed using a 2 (group) x 2 (time) repeated measures ANOVA, with statistical significance set at (p < 0.05). Results. A significant difference was observed in the mean of (M-L) displacement (p = 0.002) in the healthy group between pre-training and post-training. Additionally, significant differences were observed in both the maximal (p = 0.027) and mean of (M-L) displacement (p = 0.003) in the ACLR group between pre-training and post-training. The comparison between groups in the pre-training showed a significant difference in the maximal (M-L) displacement (p = 0.011) between the two groups. No significant differences were observed in the (M-L) and (A-P) components between the two groups in the post-training assessment. Conclusions. Our findings support the premise that a PEP training program during the pre-season alters lower extremity biomechanics in soccer players. Participation in PEP training program improves postural control in both healthy and ACLR soccer players, which may explain the protective effect of this type of training program in reducing the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury or re-injury.