Implementing a School Prevention Program to Reduce Injuries Through Neuromuscular Training
- Conditions
- AdolescentSport InjurySports Injuries in ChildrenAthletic InjuriesWounds and Injuries
- Interventions
- Other: Standard-of-practice Warm-up (Control)Other: Neuromuscular training program
- Registration Number
- NCT03312504
- Lead Sponsor
- Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre
- Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a neuromuscular training program in decreasing sport and recreational injuries and improving healthy outcomes in junior high school students (grades 7 to 9). The neuromuscular training program is implemented as a 15-minute warm-up at the beginning of the students' physical education classes over a three-month period. This study is a randomized controlled trial design, involving twelve schools over a three-year period. Upon enrolment into the study, schools are randomly assigned to the intervention (neuromuscular training) group, or the control group. The control group includes a standard-of practice warm-up consisting of aerobic components and static stretching.
A study athletic therapist visits the schools each week to assess and record information on any injuries sustained by study participants. Baseline health and physical fitness is measured at baseline, and again at 3-month follow-up in study participants to assess changes over the course of the program.
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- UNKNOWN
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 1067
SCHOOLS
- junior high schools with a minimum of two physical education classes per week, per class
- physical education classes that are taught or co-taught by a physical education specialist
SUBJECTS
- students aged 11-15 who are fully participating in physical education curriculum at baseline
- students who return completed assent and parental consent forms
SCHOOLS
- schools that are culturally distinct
- schools that have students that are of single sex
- schools that cater to students with special needs
- schools with incomplete grades
SUBJECTS
- history of musculoskeletal disorders or medical condition that prevents participation in regular physical education curriculum
- history of musculoskeletal injury within 6 weeks prior to study commencement that restricts full participation in physical education
- at least 80% of participation in physical education classes over the course of the study
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Control Standard-of-practice Warm-up Standard-of-practice Warm-up (Control) Schools randomized to the control arm receive a workshop outlining a standard-of-practice program to be used as a warm-up for 15 minutes at the beginning of each physical education class. The warm-up consists of aerobic exercises and static stretching. The workshop is designed to last one hour, and includes an explanation and demonstration of the exercises, but no video or practice time. Neuromuscular Training Warm-up Neuromuscular training program Schools randomized to the intervention arm receive a workshop outlining a neuromuscular training program to be used as a warm-up for 15 minutes at the beginning of each physical education class. The warm-up consist of high-intensity aerobic, strengthening, agility, plyometric, and balance components. The workshop is designed to last two hours, and includes a video outlining the warm-up components, practice time, and group discussions for action planning to address potential barriers to the program.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Sport or recreational injury Injuries are recorded if sustained at any point over the course of the study (each school participates for 3 months). Any injury sustained through a sport or recreational activity that resulted in time loss from physical activity participation (unable to return to the same session or missed at least one day of participation), or required medical attention.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Changes in VO2max Changes over a 3-month period The PACER 20-m shuttle run is used to indirectly measure VO2max. Participants run the 20-m shuttle run at baseline, and again post-intervention at 3-month follow-up. Their score (recorded in number of laps) and used in a regression equation to predict maximal oxygen consumption.
Changes in timed unipedal eyes-closed dynamic balance Changes over a 3-month period Balance times are measured at baseline, and again post-intervention at 3-month follow-up. The participant stands on an unstable foam pad (Airex balance pad) on one foot, with their eyes closed and hands on their hips. Time is recorded in seconds for each foot, and the best of three trials on each foot is used to assess changes.
Changes in Y-balance reach distance Changes over a 3-month period Normalized composite reach distance is measured using the Y-balance test at baseline and again post-intervention at 3-month follow-up. The participant balances on one foot while pushing a sliding block as far as they can with their other foot, while maintaining balance. This is repeated for a total of three reach directions on each foot: anterior, postero-lateral, and postern-medial. Reach distances for each of the three directions are normalized as a percentage of leg length of the reaching leg, and summed to produce a normalized composite reach distance.
Changes in body mass index (BMI) Changes over a 3-month period. Height (cm) and weight (kg) are measured at baseline, and again post-intervention at 3-months. Height and weight are used to calculate body mass index, calculated as: weight(kg)/height(m)\^2
Changes in waist circumference Changes over a 3-month period. Waist circumference (cm) is measured at baseline, and again at 3-month follow-up once the intervention in complete. Waist circumference is measured following the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology-Canadian Physical Activity, Fitness and Lifestyle Approach protocol: circumference is measured at the midpoint between the anterior superior iliac spine and the bottom of the ribs, at the end of a normal expiration while the participant crosses their arms over their chest.
Changes in vertical jump height Changes over a 3-month period Vertical jump height (cm) is measured at baseline, and again post-intervention at 3-month follow-up. The height is calculated as the difference (in cm) between the standing reach height, and the maximum reach measured while jumping from the best of three trials.