Efficacy of Injury Prevention Training Is Greater for High-Risk vs Low-Risk Elite Female Youth Soccer Players

Abstract

Background: The efficacy of robustness training for high- versus low-risk individuals within high-risk groups is currently unknown. Purpose: To explore the efficacy of robustness training on injury risk factors among female youth soccer players and to examine if high-risk athletes are greater responders to such training. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A total of 125 elite youth female soccer players on the English FA talent pathway were randomly selected into a training group (n = 71) or a control group (n = 54). Relative leg stiffness, 2-dimensional knee valgus and knee flexion range of motion from a single-legged countermovement jump, and probability of high knee abduction moment (pKAM) risk were all determined before and after a 16-week robustness training program. For further analysis, participants in the training group were split into groups based on risk: high risk (pKAM >0.80, n = 33) and low risk (pKAM <0.55, n = 33). Magnitude-based inferences were used to explore differences between the control and intervention groups and the high- and low-risk groups. Results: Magnitude-based inferences demonstrated significant beneficial effects in the training group for knee valgus, pKAM, and leg stiffness as compared with the control group. The control group demonstrated possible worthwhile differences in knee flexion range of motion as compared with the intervention group. The high-risk group demonstrated likely/very likely worthwhile differences versus the low-risk group for all parameters. Conclusion/Clinical Relevance: Robustness training induces significant beneficial improvements in injury risk factors among female youth soccer players. The beneficial effects of this multidimensional program are greater for those classified as high risk.