Search

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of a junior high school-based sports injury prevention programme to reduce injuries through neuromuscular training (NMT).MethodsThis was a cluster randomised controlled trial. Students were recruited from 12 Calgary junior high schools (2014–2017). iSPRINT is a 15 min NMT warm-up including aerobic, agility, strength and balance exercises. Following a workshop, teachers delivered a 12-week iSPRINT NMT (six schools) or a standard-of-practice warm-up (six schools) in physical education classes. The definition of all recorded injuries included injuries that resulted in participants being unable to complete a sport and recreation (S&R) session, lost time from sport and/or seek medical attention. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were estimated based on multiple multilevel Poisson regression analyses (adjusting for sex (considering effect modification) and previous injury, offset by S&R participation hours, and school-level and class-level random effects were examined) for intent-to-treat analyses.Results1067 students (aged 11–16) were recruited across 12 schools (6 intervention schools (22 classes), 6 control schools (27 classes); 53.7% female, 46.3% male). The iSPRINT programme was protective of all recorded S&R injuries for girls (IRR=0.543, 95% CI 0.295 to 0.998), but not for boys (IRR=0.866, 95% CI 0.425 to 1.766). The iSPRINT programme was also protective of each of lower extremity injuries (IRR=0.357, 95% CI 0.159 to 0.799) and medical attention injuries (IRR=0.289, 95% CI 0.135 to 0.619) for girls, but not for boys (IRR=1.055, 95% CI 0.404 to 2.753 and IRR=0.639, 95% CI 0.266 to 1.532, respectively).ConclusionThe iSPRINT NMT warm-up was effective in preventing each of all recorded injuries, lower extremity injuries and medically treated S&R injuries in female junior high school students.Trial registration numberNCT03312504

Background Educational resources are important tools in the implementation of sport injury prevention strategies to help foster uptake of information in a community setting; however, there is limited information on how these tools are developed. Objective To develop two injury prevention educational tools targeting children and adolescents for evaluation in school and community settings. Design Qualitative. Setting Schools and ski/snowboard facilities in Calgary, Canada. Participants Key informants, including: 1) Community stakeholders from school and ski/snowboard settings, 2) Students ages 9–14 years, and 3) Ski/snowboard instructors, safety patrols and physical education (PE) specialists. Interventions Semi-structured focus groups and surveys were conducted with key stakeholders to explore pre-understandings, relevant content, delivery methods, and format of the tools. Consultations with community partners, PE specialists and ski/snowboard instructors and patrols helped further inform content and format during the development process. Main Outcome Measurements Videos and posters were developed based on feedback and discussions with key informants. These tools were designed as educational resources for teacher and student evaluation in two injury prevention studies. Results Videos were the main tools developed for the school-based delivery; including content about a neuromuscular training program and ski/snowboard safety strategies targeting injury prevention in youth sport. Focus group participants and informants emphasized the importance of understanding the target audience and adapting content and delivery approaches that increase the likelihood of successful uptake of key messages. This included communicating information in a clear and concise manner and utilizing visual and auditory cues to accommodate multiple learning styles. A health behaviour framework (i.e., Health Action Process Approach) was used to inform tool development. Conclusions Engaging informants supported the development of sport injury prevention educational tools. These tools are being utilized in studies evaluating their effectiveness in increasing knowledge, changing behaviour and reducing the risk of sport-related injury in school and community settings.

Background Obesity, defined as an accumulation of excessive fat mass that impairs health, is associated with lower levels of neuromuscular control including balance and coordination, which may place youth with higher adiposity at greater risk for injury during sport participation. On the opposite end of the spectrum, excessively low fat mass can also pose an injury risk. Objective To determine if adiposity is a risk factor for sport injury in children and adolescents. Design Systematic Review. Methods Ten electronic databases were systematically searched using key words and Medical Sub-Heading terms. Studies selected included: English language; original data; analytic design; adiposity measurement by age- and sex-adjusted body mass index (BMI) or body fat using imaging, impedance or predictive methods and; children, adolescents and young adults ≤20 years who sustained a musculoskeletal injury during sport or recreation participation that resulted in medical attention or time loss from sport or activities. PRISMA guidelines were followed and studies were assessed by two independent raters. Level of evidence was assessed using the Oxford Centre of Evidence-Based Medicine model. Results Of 8029 potentially relevant records, 44 were included in the final review. 75% of these studies were of prospective cohort design (level 2b evidence). Twenty-one studies concluded that a BMI rating of overweight/obese is a significant risk factor for injury; the majority (12/21) of these studies assessed lower extremity injury (e.g. ankle sprain and medial tibial stress syndrome). Nineteen studies showed no association between anthropometric measurement and injury; the majority (14/19) assessed all sport injury. Finally, a BMI rating of underweight (4 studies) was more commonly associated with risk of stress fracture. Conclusions There is consistent level 2b evidence that a rating of overweight/obesity is associated with lower extremity injury. Anthropometric risk of injury appears to be dependent on type and site of injury in youth sport.

Background Neuromuscular training programs have shown to decrease injury rates in sport specific domains; however, there is limited research in non-sport populations. Objective Examine the effectiveness of reducing sport injury through a high intensity, neuromuscular training program aimed at school youth. Design Pilot, randomised controlled trial. Participants were randomised by school, to either intervention or control programs in year one. Year two, the intervention program was implemented in the control school. Setting Physical education (PE) classes. Participants 725 (year one) and 314 (year two) consenting participants aged 11–15. Intervention Intervention group completed a 15 min, high intensity, neuromuscular training warm-up, three times per week for 12 weeks. The control group warm-up was the same duration, with standard of care components. Main outcome measurements Sport injury, defined as any sport injury that required medical attention, and/or cessation of the activity, and/or time loss from sport. Secondary outcomes; aerobic fitness (VO 2 maximum (ml/kg/min), vertical jump (cm) and balance (s). Results Incidence rate ratios (IRR), adjusted for clustering by class, previous injury and exposure hours, estimated the intervention program was protective of all sport injury (IRR=0.29 (95% CI 0.18 to 0.46)), lower extremity injury (IRR=0.30 (95% CI 0.17 to 0.53)), and time loss injury (IRR=0.43 (95% CI 0.20 to 0.94)). The intervention group showed greater improvement in aerobic fitness (2.14 ml/kg/min (95% CI 1.17 to 2.59)) (t=-3.86, p=0.0001) and vertical jump (4.16 cm (95% CI 3.65 to 4.66)) (t=-3.67, p=0.0003) compared to the control group. No statistical differences were detected in balance measures. Conclusions A neuromuscular training program implemented in PE classes was protective of all sport injury, lower extremity injury and time loss injury. Results pertaining to year two will be determined and presented.