Neuromuscular training and the risk of leg injuries in female floorball players: cluster randomised controlled study

doi:10.1136/bmj.a295

Published 1 July 2008, doi:10.1136/bmj.a295
Cite this as: BMJ 2008;337:a295

Research

Neuromuscular training and the risk of leg injuries in female floorball players: cluster randomised controlled study

Kati Pasanen, researcher¹, Jari Parkkari, chief physician¹, Matti Pasanen, statistician², Hannele Hiilloskorpi, researcher¹, Tanja Mäkinen, physician¹, Markku Järvinen, professor⁴, Pekka Kannus, chief physician³

¹ Tampere Research Center of Sports Medicine, UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, FIN-33501 Tampere, Finland, ² UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, ³ Injury and Osteoporosis Research Center, UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, ⁴ Department of Surgery, Tampere University Hospital and Medical School, University of Tampere

Correspondence to: K Pasanen kati.pasanen{at}uta.fi

Objective To investigate whether a neuromuscular training programmeis effective in preventing non-contact leg injuries in femalefloorball players.

Design Cluster randomised controlled study.

Setting 28 top level female floorball teams in Finland.

Participants 457 players (mean age 24 years)—256 (14 teams)in the intervention group and 201 (14 teams) in the controlgroup—followedup for one league season (six months).

Intervention A neuromuscular training programme to enhance players’motor skills and body control, as well as to activate and preparetheir neuromuscular system for sports specific manoeuvres.

Main outcome measure Acute non-contact injuries of the legs.

Results During the season, 72 acute non-contact leg injuriesoccurred, 20 in the intervention group and 52 in the controlgroup. The injury incidence per 1000 hours playing and practisein the intervention group was 0.65 (95% confidence interval0.37 to 1.13) and in the control group was 2.08 (1.58 to 2.72).The risk of non-contact leg injury was 66% lower (adjusted incidencerate ratio 0.34, 95% confidence interval 0.20 to 0.57) in theintervention group.

Conclusion A neuromuscular training programme was effectivein preventing acute non-contact injuries of the legs in femalefloorball players. Neuromuscular training can be recommendedin the weekly training of these athletes.

Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN26550281 [controlled-trials.com] .

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