PURPOSE:: To investigate the effectiveness of a multi-station proprioceptive exercise program for the prevention of ankle injuries in basketball players using a prospective randomized controlled trial in combination with biomechanical tests of neuromuscular performance. METHODS:: 232 players participated in the study and were randomly assigned to a training or control group following the CONSORT-statement. The training group performed a multistation proprioceptive exercise program and the control group continued with their normal work-out routines. During one competitive basketball season the number of ankle injuries was counted and related to the number of sports participation sessions using logistic regression. Additional biomechanical pre-post tests (angle reproduction, postural sway) were performed in both groups to investigate the effects on neuromuscular performance. RESULTS:: In the control group 21 injuries occurred, while in the training group 7 injuries occurred. The risk for sustaining an ankle injury was significantly reduced in the training group by approximately 35%. The corresponding numbers-needed-to-treat (NNT) was 7. Additional biomechanical tests revealed significant improvements in joint position sense and single limb stance in the training group. CONCLUSION:: The multi-station proprioceptive exercise program effectively prevented ankle injuries in basketball players. NNT-analysis clearly showed the relatively low prevention effort that is necessary to avoid an ankle injury. Additional biomechanical tests confirmed the neuromuscular effect, and confirm a relationship between injury prevention and altered neuromuscular performance. With this knowledge, proprioceptive training may be optimized to specifically address the demands in various athletic activities.
Language: en
", language="en", issn="0195-9131", doi="10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181e03667", url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181e03667" }