Can Lower Extremity Overuse Injuries Be Prevented by an Exercise Program Aiming at Muscular Strength, Flexibility and Coordination - a RCT

PURPOSE: Overuse injuries are a major concern for physical active individuals engaged in endurance type activities. This is especially true for soldiers during basic military training or subjects with a sedentary lifestyle taking up exercise to prevent disease, as they are vulnerable for sustaining an overuse injury. Contradictory to traumatic injuries, little is known about the prevention of overuse injuries using a training program. This study evaluates the preventive effect of a training program based on known intrinsic risk factors for the occurrence of anterior knee pain and shin pain in soldiers undergoing basic military training. We also evaluate the effect on physical performance.

METHODS: From December 2004 - March 2006 1000 soldiers undergoing basic military training divided into 24 platoons are cluster randomised into a prevention-training (PRE) group or a placebo-training (PLA) group. The PRE group will perform exercises based on known intrinsic risk factors namely strength, flexibility and coordination of the lower extremity, while the PLA group will perform exercises for the upper body. Both programmes consists of 5 exercises and will be performed 3 times a week during a 12 weeks period. All subjects will prospectively be examined by the same observer, who will be blinded to the allocation.

OUTCOME: primary outcome: reduction in anterior knee pain and shin pain.