Neuromuscular training reduces lower limb injuries in elite female basketball players : a cluster randomized controlled trial

The study was a two-armed, parallel group, cluster randomized controlled trial in which 15 teams (160 players) were assigned to either an experimental group (EG, 8 teams n=86), which warmed-up with bodyweight neuromuscular exercises, or a control group (CG, 7 teams, n=74) that performed standard tactical-technical exercises before training. All injuries during the 2015-2016 regular season were counted. Epidemiologic incidence proportion and incidence rate, were also calculated. Counter movement jump (CMJ) and composite Y-Excursion balance test (YBT) were used to assess lower limb strength, and postural control. A total of 111 injuries were recorded. Chi-square test detected statistically significant differences between EG and CG (32 vs 79, p=0.006). Significant differences in the injuries sustained in the EG (21 vs 11, p=0.024) and CG (52 vs 27, p=0.0001) during training and matches respectively were observed. Significant differences in post-intervention injuries were observed between in EG and CG during training (21 vs 52, p<0.0001) and matches (11 vs 27, p=0.006). Significant differences in epidemiologic incidence (0.37 vs 1.07, p=0.023), and incidence rate (1.66 vs 4.69, p=0.012) between the EG and the CG were found. Significant improvement in CMJ (+9.4%, p<0.0001; d=1.2), and composite YBT (right: +4.4%, p=0.001, d=1.0; left: +3.0%, p=0.003; d=0.8) for the EG was noted. Significant differences in post-intervention CMJ (+5.9%, p=0.004) and composite YBT scores (right, +3.7%, p=0.012; left, +2.3%, p=0.007) between the EG and the CG were observed. Including bodyweight neuromuscular training into warm-up routines reduced the incidence of serious lower limb injuries in elite female basketball players.