Effect Of Neuromuscular Training On Injury-Risk Indicators In University Athletes

Abstract

Sports injuries, especially in the lower limb, are a frequent occurrence amongst university athletes and can have a negative impact on athletic performance and academic studies. Internationally, there is extensive support of neuromuscular training (NMT) as an injury prevention tool, however, there are limited number of structured programs in place in Pakistani Universities, with no evidence of its effectiveness in this population. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a six-week structured NMT programme on injury-risk indicators in university athletes using a quasi-experimental, single group pre-test–post-test design. Using purposive sampling, 50 athletes (18–25 years) were selected and underwent a supervised NMT programme which took place three times a week for 6 weeks. Pre and post the programme, dynamic balance (Y-Balance Test), landing mechanics (Landing Error Scoring System, LESS), agility (Agility T-test) and injury occurrence were assessed. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics (Version 26); given the change scores' non-normal distribution (Shapiro–Wilk, p < .001), the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used within groups, with significance being set at p < .05. Dynamic balance improved significantly from a mean composite score of 79.00 to 86.02 (Z = −7.005, p < .001, r = .99). LESS scores fell from 6.88 to 3.78 (Z = −6.784, p < .001, r = .96), indicating fewer landing errors, and Agility T-test time decreased from 11.20 to 10.38 seconds (Z = −6.551, p < .001, r = .93). All the athletes' scores were better on all measures. The number of injuries at pre-test was 56% (28/50) and was 0% at post-test. The results indicate that a short duration and low cost NMT programme can be considered as a useful tool for enhancing movement qualities associated with a reduced risk of lower-limb injuries in university athletes, highlighting the potential for its generalization to a wider context of resource-constrained university sport; however, larger controlled trials are required to validate a causal relationship.