Effects of Ankle Mobilization Added to the STOP-X Protocol on Landing Mechanics and Dynamic Postural Control in Adolescent Male Soccer Players with Dynamic Knee Valgus
| Author | Majid Ghanbari | en |
| Author | Farzaneh Saki | en |
| Orcid | Farzaneh Saki [0000-0003-3627-1737] | en |
| Issued Date | 2026-06-30 | en |
| Abstract | Background: Adolescent soccer players are at increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Excessive dynamic knee valgus, reduced knee flexion during landing, and impaired dynamic balance are among the most important modifiable biomechanical risk factors. Although the STOP-X program is an established neuromuscular injury-prevention protocol, the additional effects of incorporating ankle mobilization exercises remain unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of an 8-week STOP-X neuromuscular training program alone with those of the same program combined with ankle mobilization exercises on landing biomechanics and dynamic postural stability in adolescent male soccer players with excessive dynamic knee valgus. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 45 adolescent male soccer players with dynamic knee valgus were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups (n = 15 per group): STOP-X plus ankle mobilization, STOP-X alone, or a control group. Knee valgus and knee flexion angles during landing were assessed using 2-dimensional video analysis, and dynamic balance was evaluated using the Y-Balance Test. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), with statistical significance set at P < 0.05. Results: Both intervention groups showed significant improvements compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The STOP-X plus ankle mobilization group achieved greater reductions in dynamic knee valgus than both the STOP-X-only group (P = 0.009) and the control group (P < 0.001), as well as greater increases in knee flexion angle (P < 0.001). This group also demonstrated significantly greater improvement in posterolateral reach distance (P ≤ 0.001). Although the composite Y-Balance score was higher than that in the control group, the between-group difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.055). Conclusions: Adding ankle mobilization exercises to the STOP-X program resulted in greater improvements in knee valgus alignment, knee flexion during landing, and selected components of dynamic balance than the STOP-X program alone. These findings suggest that addressing both distal and proximal segments of the kinetic chain may enhance neuromuscular adaptations associated with ACL injury risk reduction in adolescent soccer players. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/jcrps-172367 | en |
| URI | https://brieflands.com/journals/jcrps/articles/172367 | en |
| Keyword | Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries | en |
| Keyword | Prevention | en |
| Keyword | Soccer | en |
| Keyword | Ankle | en |
| Keyword | Balance | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Effects of Ankle Mobilization Added to the STOP-X Protocol on Landing Mechanics and Dynamic Postural Control in Adolescent Male Soccer Players with Dynamic Knee Valgus | en |
| Type | Research Article | en |
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