Could specific exercises based on a movement screen prevent injuries in adolescent elite athletes?

Abstract

ObjectivesThe primary aim of this study was to explore if specific exercises based on the nine test screening battery (9SB) reduce short-term and seasonal injury occurrence in adolescent elite athletes. SettingYouth elite sports. DesignProspective intervention study over 1-year. ParticipantsAdolescent elite athletes (n = 216) in age 15–20 from seven different sports. Main outcome measuresSeasonal/short-term injury incidence and seasonal substantial/injury prevalence was obtained via weekly surveys completed by study participants. ResultsThere was a significant (p = 0.036) difference in the seasonal substantial injury prevalence across number of times the exercises were performed (exercise category), where athletes performing the exercises ≥4 times/week reported significantly (p = 0.048) higher seasonal substantial injury prevalence compared to athletes completing the exercises once a week (median 15.4 vs 0%, r = 0.25). No statistically significant difference in injury incidence (p = 0.429) or seasonal injury prevalence (p = 0.171) was found across exercise category. Performing the exercises once a day compared to not at all did not reduce the short-term risk of new injury or substantial injury. ConclusionsOur results provide supporting evidence that completing specific exercises based on the 9SB have no group effect on short-term or seasonal injury occurrence in adolescent elite athletes.