The effect of a school based injury prevention program on physical performance in youth females

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Injury prevention (IP) programs can reduce injury in youth, however, little is known about their impact on athletic performance, especially in females. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a school curriculum IP program on movement skill and athletic performance in youth females. Ninety-two female students (age 14.0 ± 0.6 y, height 162.5 ± 5.8 cm, mass 57.1 ± 9.3 kg, intervention (INT) n = 43, control (CON) n = 49) participated in this study. The INT group completed a 23 week IP program whereas the CON group continued normal physical education class. Sprint, countermovement jump (CMJ), isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), y-balance, back squat assessment (BSA), and drop vertical jump (DVJ) were assessed. An independent-samples t-test revealed that the INT group performed significantly better on all tests at baseline (p = <0.05), except single-leg CMJ power. Ordered regression models showed the INT group were more likely to improve their score on the BSA and DVJ (OR = 0.14 and 0.20) compared to the CON group. Marginal analysis revealed a significantly greater increase in y-balance composite measures for the INT group [mean difference (95% CI) = 2.07 (0.48 to 3.66) and 2.66 (1.03 to 4.29), p < 0.05] and relative IMTP for the CON group [mean difference (95% CI) = −0.34 (−0.60 to −0.08), p < 0.05). These findings highlight that a long-term IP program integrated into the school curriculum can improve movement skill and balance in youth females.