The effectiveness of a neuromuscular prevention strategy to reduce injuries in youth soccer: a cluster-randomised controlled trial

• Published in: British journal of sports medicine 2010-06, Vol.44 (8), p.555-562
• Main Authors: Emery, C A, Meeuwisse, W H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Alberta; Arthritis; Athletic Injuries - etiology; Athletic Injuries - prevention & control; Athletic recruitment; Children & youth; Clinical trials; Cluster Analysis; Coaches & managers; Consent; Effectiveness; Exercise Therapy - methods; Female; Females; Girls; Humans; Injuries; Knee; Male; Muscular system; Participation; Prevention; Professional soccer; Risk Factors; Soccer; Soccer - injuries; Sports injuries; Sports medicine; Studies; Surveillance; Teenagers; Therapists; Training; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0306-3674; 1473-0480
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsm.2010.074377

Background Soccer is a leading sport for participation and injury in youth. Objective To examine the effectiveness of a neuromuscular prevention strategy in reducing injury in youth soccer players. Design Cluster-randomised controlled trial. Setting Calgary soccer clubs (male or female, U13–U18, tier 1–2, indoor soccer). Participants Eighty-two soccer teams were approached for recruitment. Players from 60 teams completed the study (32 training (n=380), 28 control (n=364)). Intervention The training programme was a soccer-specific neuromuscular training programme including dynamic stretching, eccentric strength, agility, jumping and balance (including a home-based balance training programme using a wobble board). The control programme was a standardised warm-up (static and dynamic stretching and aerobic components) and a home-based stretching programme. Main outcome measures Previously validated injury surveillance included injury assessment by a study therapist. The injury definition was soccer injury resulting in medical attention and/or removal from a session and/or time loss. Results The injury rate in the training group was 2.08 injuries/1000 player-hours, and in the control group 3.35 injuries/1000 player-hours. Based on Poisson regression analysis, adjusted for clustering by team and covariates, the incidence rate ratios (IRR) for all injuries and acute onset injury were 0.62 (95% CI 0.39 to 0.99) and 0.57 (95% CI 0.35 to 0.91). Point estimates also suggest protection of lower extremity, ankle and knee sprain injuries (IRR=0.68 (95% CI 0.42 to 1.11), IRR=0.5 (95% CI 0.24 to 1.04) and IRR=0.38 (95% CI 0.08 to 1.75)). Conclusions A neuromuscular training programme is protective of all injuries and acute onset injury in youth soccer players.