Athletic Performance and Injury Risk, Healthy, Neuromuscular Control
Conditions
Keywords
Neuromuscular Control Training, Injury Prevention, High School Athletes
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to assess both the feasibility and efficacy of a 6-week mobile-application-based neuromuscular training program in high school athletes by measuring adherence rates and examining changes in agility and neuromuscular control. Outcomes were measured both during the intervention (adherence) as well as at pre- and post-intervention data collection sessions.
Detailed description
This study recruited high school athletes (ages 14-18) from Westchester County, NY to participate in a six week mobile application-based neuromuscular control training program that was downloaded onto each participant's personal smartphone and consisted of 24 unique 7-minute sessions. Pre/post intervention assessments included (1) an agility T test and (2) a video-recorded single leg squat test from sagittal and coronal planes. Sagittal plane analysis captured peak knee and hip flexion angles; coronal plane analysis assessed alignment of the knee, hips, and trunk. These subcomponent scores were combined into an 8-point composite movement quality score previously described by Di Paolo et al. Paired t-tests and effect sizes (Cohen's d) were computed to evaluate pre-post changes in agility T test performance and Di Paolo single leg squat composite and subcomponent scores. Participants were arranged by adherence into high (≥12 sessions) and low (\<12 sessions) groups to determine if any relationship existed between adherence and outcome measures.
Interventions
The mobile app-based neuromuscular control training program was administered via the RIIP REPS application. The program consisted of 24 unique 7-minute sessions. Each session emphasized bodyweight training targeting landing mechanics, trunk and hip control, balance, and posterior chain engagement. The sessions progressed in difficulty throughout the intervention.
Sponsors
Hospital for Special Surgery, New York
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
14 Years to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Age 14-18 * Actively participating in an organized sport OR have participated in an organized sport in the last 12 months * Pre-intervention testing completed AND post-intervention testing completed within 2 weeks of completing the 6 week program
Exclusion criteria
* Individuals whose physical activity and/or sports participation is currently limited by an illness or injury * Individuals with previous lower extremity injury and/or surgery * Individuals who are not fluent in English * Individuals without access to an iOS or Android mobile phone
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance | Throughout the 6 week intervention | Compliance with the RIIP REPS mobile program was defined by how many sessions were completed by each participant. Full compliance consisted of the recommended four sessions per week for a total of 24 sessions over the 6 week period. Adherence tiers were determined based on the number of sessions completed and were as follows: low adherence (\<12 sessions), and high adherence (\>12 sessions). |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Movement Quality | Testing was performed before and within 2 weeks after the 6 week intervention. | Athletes completed a total of 12 single-leg squats (SLS), guided by trained sports medicine educators. The test protocol consisted of three SLS per leg in the frontal plane and three in the sagittal plane. In the frontal plane, the athlete faced the camera; for the sagittal plane, the athlete turned 90 degrees, maintaining the same squatting leg toward the camera. If a participant lost balance during a repetition, they were instructed to repeat the squat to ensure three successful trials per view. Videos were then analyzed based on the criteria set forth by Di Paolo et al. and the measurements were then used to compute a composite score (0 through 8) with a higher score indicating better performance. |
| Agility T Test | Testing was performed before and within 2 weeks after the 6 week intervention. | The T test is a widely used measure of change-of-direction speed and agility, consisting of a T-shaped running course that challenges lateral, forward, and backward movement. Athletes began at the base of the T, sprinted forward 10 yards to touch a central cone, shuffled 5 yards to one side to touch another cone, shuffled 10 yards laterally to the opposite side to touch a second cone, returned to the center cone via shuffle, and then backpedaled to the starting point. Proper technique and cone touches were required for a valid trial. To ensure timing accuracy, each trial was independently timed by two study personnel using handheld stopwatches. The average of the two recorded times was used for analysis. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed