Background: Neuromuscular training (NMT) has demonstrated efficacy as an intervention to decrease the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injuries and improve sports performance. The effect of this training on the mechanisms that contribute to improved physical performance has not been well defined.
Hypothesis: Athletes in the NMT group will have better mechanisms of fundamental movements and agility tests that may contribute to improved sports performance.
Study design: Prospective cohort study.
Level of evidence: Level 2.
Methods: Eight high school teams (111 athletes, 53% male, mean age 16 years) participated, with half performing NMT. Physical performance was measured using the dorsaVi ViPerform system, a US Food and Drug Administration-cleared wireless sensor system. Agility was assessed using a timed 3-cone test. Independent sample t tests were used to compare differences between the intervention and control groups.
Results: Matched pre- and postseason data were collected from 74 athletes after excluding athletes with injury and those lost to follow-up. Significant improvements were observed in the NMT group for loading/landing speed ratios during a single-leg hop test (right lower extremity = -0.19 [-0.37, 0.03], P = 0.03 and left lower extremity = -0.27 [-0.50, -0.03], P = 0.03). The control group had lower ground reaction forces compared with the NMT group (P < 0.02), while significant improvements were found in the NMT group for initial peak acceleration (P < 0.02) and cadence (P = 0.01) during a straight-line acceleration/deceleration test. For the 3-cone agility test, the postseason time decreased compared with preseason in the NMT group, whereas the time for the control group increased (-0.37 s vs 0.14 s, P < 0.00).
Conclusion: The results demonstrate that NMT administered by sports medicine clinicians can significantly improve some physical performance of fundamental movements in high school athletes.
Clinical relevance: Coaches should be trained to effectively deliver NMT in order to improve sports performance.
Keywords: ACL; biomechanics; injury prevention; neuromuscular training.