A1 Journal article (refereed)
Adherence to an Injury Prevention Warm-Up Program in Children’s Soccer : A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial (2021)

Hilska, M., Leppänen, M., Vasankari, T., Aaltonen, S., Raitanen, J., Räisänen, A. M., Steffen, K., Forsman, H., Konttinen, N., Kujala, U. M., & Pasanen, K. (2021). Adherence to an Injury Prevention Warm-Up Program in Children’s Soccer : A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(24), Article 13134. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182413134

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Hilska, Matias; Leppänen, Mari; Vasankari, Tommi; Aaltonen, Sari; Raitanen, Jani; Räisänen, Anu M.; Steffen, Kathrin; Forsman, Hannele; Konttinen, Niilo; Kujala, Urho M.; et al.

Journal or series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

ISSN: 1661-7827

eISSN: 1660-4601

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 13/12/2021

Volume: 18

Issue number: 24

Article number: 13134

Publisher: MDPI AG

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182413134

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/79436

Abstract

This study examined the impact of high adherence to a neuromuscular training (NMT) warm-up on the risk of lower extremity (LE) injuries in children’s soccer. Twenty U11–U14 youth clubs (n = 92 teams, 1409 players) were randomized into intervention (n = 44 teams) and control (n = 48 teams) groups. The intervention group was advised to perform an NMT warm-up 2 to 3 times a week for 20 weeks. Team adherence, injuries, and exposure were registered throughout the follow-up. Primary outcomes were the incidence of soccer-related acute LE injuries and the prevalence of overuse LE injuries. Intervention teams conducted mean 1.7 (SD 1.0) NMT warm-ups weekly through follow-up. The seasonal trend for adherence declined significantly by −1.9% (95% CI −0.8% to −3.1%) a week. There was no difference in the incidence of acute injuries nor the prevalence of overuse LE injuries in high team adherence group (n = 17 teams) compared to controls. However, the risk for acute noncontact LE injuries was 31% lower in the high team adherence group compared to controls (IRR 0.69, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.97). In an efficacy analysis (n = 7 teams), there was a significant reduction of 47% in the rate of noncontact LE injuries (IRR 0.53, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.97). In conclusion, teams conducted NMT warm-up sessions regularly, but with a declining trend. A greater protective effect was seen in teams with the highest adherence to the NMT warm-up.

Keywords: junior sports; football; sports injuries; pre-emption; intervention study

Free keywords: adherence; adolescent; children; football; implementation; injury prevention; neuromuscular training; soccer; youth

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2021

JUFO rating: 1