Adherence to an Injury Prevention Warm-Up Program in Children's Soccer-A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Best practices for the dissemination and implementation of neuromuscular training injury prevention warm-ups in youth team sport: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate best practices for neuromuscular training (NMT) injury prevention warm-up programme dissemination and implementation (D&I) in youth team sports, including characteristics, contextual predictors and D&I strategy effectiveness.

DESIGN

Systematic review.

DATA SOURCES

Seven databases were searched.

ELIGIBILITY

The literature search followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

participation in a team sport, ≥70% youth participants (<19 years), D&I outcomes with/without NMT-related D&I strategies. The risk of bias was assessed using the Downs & Black checklist.

RESULTS

Of 8334 identified papers, 68 were included. Sport participants included boys, girls and coaches. Top sports were soccer, basketball and rugby. Study designs included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) (29.4%), cross-sectional (23.5%) and quasi-experimental studies (13.2%). The median Downs & Black score was 14/33. Injury prevention effectiveness (vs efficacy) was rarely (8.3%) prioritised across the RCTs evaluating NMT programmes. Two RCTs (2.9%) used Type 2/3 hybrid approaches to investigate D&I strategies. 19 studies (31.6%) used D&I frameworks/models. Top barriers were time restrictions, lack of buy-in/support and limited benefit awareness. Top facilitators were comprehensive workshops and resource accessibility. Common D&I strategies included Workshops with supplementary Resources (WR; n=24) and Workshops with Resources plus in-season Personnel support (WRP; n=14). WR (70%) and WRP (64%) were similar in potential D&I effect. WR and WRP had similar injury reduction (36-72%) with higher adherence showing greater effectiveness.

CONCLUSIONS

Workshops including supplementary resources supported the success of NMT programme implementation, however, few studies examined effectiveness. High-quality D&I studies are needed to optimise the translation of NMT programmes into routine practice in youth sport.

Effects of Different Hamstring Eccentric Exercise Programs on Preventing Lower Extremity Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to investigate the effects and differences of various hamstring eccentric training protocols for the prevention of lower limb injuries, and we further propose a more refined hamstring eccentric training protocol for the prevention of lower limb injuries. A literature search for the effects of hamstring eccentric training on lower extremity sports injuries was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases, and the literature was searched covering the period from the date of the database's creation to 20 August 2022. A meta-analysis of the included literature was performed using R.4.21 for lower extremity injuries, injuries in various parts of the lower extremity, and subgroup analysis for exercise frequency, exercise cycle, and exercise population. A total of 23 randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies were found to be included in the meta-analysis, and 15 of these trials, totaling 14,721 patients, were determined to be included in the overall lower extremity injury prevention effect. The analysis showed that the implementation of a hamstring eccentric training program reduced lower extremity injuries by 28%, and it resulted in a 46% decrease in hamstring injury rate and a 34% decrease in knee injury rate. The subgroup analysis revealed that the frequency of exercise was most significant in the twice-a-week exercise group, that the exercise program was most effective in preventing injuries in the 21-30-week exercise period, and that the program was most effective in preventing injuries in elite athletes and amateur adult athletic populations, compared with adolescents.