Effect of a 6-week functional preconditioning program on reducing injuries in Abu Dhabi police recruits

ISRCTN	ISRCTN41786994
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN41786994
Sponsor	Loma Linda University
Funder	Loma Linda University

Submission date: 10/04/2026
Registration date: 13/04/2026
Last edited: 13/04/2026

Recruitment status: No longer recruiting
Overall study status: Completed
Condition category: Injury, Occupational Diseases, Poisoning

Prospectively registered

Protocol

Statistical analysis plan

Results

Individual participant data

Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Mr Hamad Alkaabi
Principal investigator, Scientific, Public

Villa 9, Al Qata Street
Abu Dhabi
23464
United Arab Emirates

Phone	+971 (0)502334313
Email	hmhalkaabi@adpolice.gov.ae

Study information

Primary study design	Interventional
Allocation	Randomized controlled trial
Masking	Blinded (masking used)
Control	Active
Assignment	Parallel
Purpose	Prevention
Scientific title	The effectiveness of a 6-week functional preconditioning program on reducing musculoskeletal injuries, days lost from training, and attrition among Abu Dhabi police recruits: A randomized controlled trial
Study objectives	This study examined the effects of functional training on musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries, days lost from training, and attrition rate among Abu Dhabi police recruits.
Ethics approval(s)	1. Approved 02/08/2021, Loma Linda University Health IRB (Office of Research Affairs – IRB, Nichol Hall, Room 2042, 24951 Circle Drive, Loma Linda, 92350, United States of America; +1 (909) 558-4531; irbchair@llu.edu), ref: IRB# 5210303 2. Approved 26/05/2021, Abu Dhabi Health Research and Technology Ethics Committee (Head Office – Department of Health Abu Dhabi, Building 35, Kanadel Street, Al Rawda, Abu Dhabi, 9712, United Arab Emirates; +971 (0)24193516; medical.research@doh.gov.ae), ref: DOH/CVDC/2021/736
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied	Musculoskeletal injuries among tactical population (police recruits), including prevention of training-related musculoskeletal disorders
Intervention	Participants were allocated using simple randomisation with a computer-generated random number sequence. Allocation was performed by an independent individual from the Abu Dhabi Police recruitment department and was concealed using sealed opaque envelopes prior to group assignment. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental or control group. The experimental group underwent a 6-week structured preconditioning training (PCT) programme in addition to standard preparation, consisting of high-intensity functional exercises targeting strength, flexibility, endurance, neuromuscular control, and power. The programme was delivered in progressive phases, including activation, endurance and strength, and strength and power, with training sessions conducted four times per week under supervision, and load progression guided by the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale. In contrast, the control group followed the standard recruitment procedure of Abu Dhabi Police, which involved no additional training during the same 6-week period prior to entering basic military training.
Intervention type	Other
Primary outcome measure(s)	Musculoskeletal injuries incidence: The number of musculoskeletal injuries diagnosed during outpatient medical visits during basic police training period measured using Abu Dhabi Police Training Academy medical records at the end of basic military training Days lost during training: The total number of days lost during basic police training days measured using Abu Dhabi Police Training Academy medical records at the end of basic military training Attrition rate: Rate at which police recruit leave the basic police training due to musculoskeletal injuries sustained during the training measured using Abu Dhabi Police Training Academy medical records at the end of basic military training
Key secondary outcome measure(s)
Completion date	01/11/2022

Eligibility

Participant type(s)
Age group	Adult
Lower age limit	18 Years
Upper age limit	40 Years
Sex	Male
Target sample size at registration	360
Total final enrolment	441
Key inclusion criteria	1. Male Abu Dhabi Police recruits 2. Age between 18 and 40 years 3. Successfully passed the Recruitment Medical Screening (RMS), including: 3.1. Physical examination 3.2. Blood tests 3.3. Mental health assessment 3.4. Vision examination 3.5. Chest X-ray 3.6. Willing to participate and provided informed consent
Key exclusion criteria	1. Presence of current musculoskeletal injury at baseline 2. History of significant musculoskeletal injury or surgery within the past 6 months 3. Any medical condition contraindicating participation in physical training (e.g., cardiovascular, neurological, or systemic conditions) 4. Failure to pass the recruitment medical screening 5. Incomplete baseline assessment data 6. Refusal or inability to provide informed consent
Date of first enrolment	01/11/2021
Date of final enrolment	01/05/2022

Locations

Countries of recruitment

United Arab Emirates

Study participating centre

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ

Shakhbout Bin Sultan Street , Al Nahyan Area
Abu Dhabi
253
United Arab Emirates

Results and Publications

Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share	No
IPD sharing plan summary	Not expected to be made available
IPD sharing plan

Editorial Notes

13/04/2026: Study's existence confirmed by the Abu Dhabi Health Research and Technology Ethics Committee.