EFFECTIVENESS OF ECCENTRIC HAMSTRING CONTRACTIONS WITH PHYSIOTHERAPY TRAINING ON SPORTS PERFORMANCE AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN YOUNG MALE FOOTBALL PLAYERS WITH NON-CONTACT GRADE 1 ACL INJURY

The overall aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of eccentric hamstring contractions on sports performance in young male football players with non-contact grade 1 Anterior Cruciate Ligament injuries. Treatment allocation will be assigned using an automated randomization process developed by an independent person who is not involved in the study. Computer-generated random numbers will be used for randomization into two groups. Inclusion criteria Eligible patients with physician-diagnosed non-contact acute grade 1 ACL injury within the past 6 weeks will be invited from the selected clubs for participation in the trial. Participants who can perform full Range of Motion in the injured knee without pain will be included. Male football players between age 19-25 years old, currently playing in UAE, who speak English language and with physician-diagnosed non-contact grade 1 ACL injury will be included in the trial. Exclusion Criteria * Players with contact ACL injuries. * Players with chronic grade 1 ACL Injuries. * If pain and swelling are severe and occur within 24 hours after exercise, will be excluded from the study. * Grade 2 and above ACL injuries. * Female players. * Players aged below 18 years or above 25 years. * Players with a history of surgery on the same knee. * Players with injuries to the menisci or other ligaments. * Players who do not speak English. * Players who refuse to provide written informed consent to participate in the trial. * Players currently enrolled in other formal rehabilitation programs. There is no invasive procedure to be done. It focuses on strengthening the hamstrings muscle, specifically through eccentric contractions, which involve lengthening the muscle while it's under tension along with normal physiotherapy exercises. The comparator group receives a variety of physiotherapy exercises aimed at improving strength, flexibility, and balance around the knee. For those patients who have mild pain or swelling will also be given TENS and Ultrasound.