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How effective are exercise-based injury prevention programmes for soccer players? : A systematic review
A M C van Beijsterveldt1, Nick van der Horst, Ingrid G L van de Port
1Department of Rehabilitation, Nursing Science and Sports, University Medical Center Utrecht, W01.121, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands. a.m.c.beijsterveldt@umcutrecht.nl
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
|March 9, 2013
Summary
Preventive exercise programs show conflicting results for reducing soccer injuries. More high-quality research is needed to determine effective training strategies for injury prevention in football (soccer).
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Exercise Science
- Injury Prevention
Background:
- Soccer (football) has a high incidence of injuries.
- Evidence on the efficacy of preventive training programs for soccer injuries is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review evidence on exercise-based preventive training programs for reducing soccer injuries.
Main Methods:
- Searched multiple databases (EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, PEDro, SPORTDiscus) until December 2011.
- Included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) focusing on preventive exercise programs.
- Assessed methodological quality using the PEDro scale and calculated incidence risk ratios (IRR).
Main Results:
- Six studies with 6,099 participants met inclusion criteria.
- Results were contradictory; two studies showed significant injury reduction.
- Four studies indicated an overall preventive effect (IRR<1), but not all were statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- Evidence for exercise-based programs preventing soccer injuries is conflicting.
- Variations in study samples, intervention details, and compliance may explain contradictory findings.
- High-quality studies are needed to identify optimal exercises and intensities for effective injury prevention in soccer.
