Effectiveness of neuromuscular injury prevention strategies versus standard strategies on injury rates in the adolescent male playing sport: a systematic review protocol

Abstract

Objective: This review will assess the effectiveness of neuromuscular injury prevention strategies on injury rates among adolescent males playing sports. Introduction: Adolescent athletes are predisposed to injuries during this period of growth. Growth-related injury risk factors can be mitigated by implementing appropriate neuromuscular injury prevention strategies. This is the first review to include all sporting disciplines in summarizing the components and assessing the effectiveness of injury prevention strategies in the adolescent male population. Inclusion criteria: Randomized controlled trials investigating adolescent males, between the ages of 13 and 18 years, participating in organized sports, in any setting and level of participation, will be included. Studies reporting on participants with growth abnormalities will be excluded. Methods: Databases searched will include MEDLINE (Pubmed), CINAHL Complete (EBSCO), CLinicalKey, SPORTDiscus (EBSCO), Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Scopus (Elsevier), ScienceDirect (Elsevier) MasterFILE Premier (EBSCO), Academic Search Complete (EBSCO), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and ClincalTrials.gov. Gray literature and unpublished studies will be searched via Health and Medical Complete (ProQuest Dissertations & Theses). Study screening and selection against inclusion criteria will be performed. Data extraction and critical appraisal will be performed using the standardized JBI templates and checklists for qualitative research. All stages will be performed by 2 independent reviewers, with conflicts resolved by a third reviewer. Review registration: PROSPERO: CRD 42022327047