The effectiveness of neuromuscular training in anterior cruciate ligament injury in female athletes

Abstract

Overview of topic: ACL injury is one of the most common injuries amongst athletes, especially female athletes. Female athletes are nine times more likely to sustain an ACL injury than their male counterparts. An ACL can be treated by reconstruction surgery. However, it is essential that the number of these injuries is reduced, or, even better, prevented amongst female athletes. This study investigated the effect of NMT on the reduction of ACL injuries in female athletes. Research Question: After the Population Intervention Comparison Outcome (PICO) framework was implemented, P – Female athletes, I – NMT, C – No NMT, O – Reduction of ACL injuries, the following research question was formulated: “Does NMT training reduce the risk of ACL injures in female athletes? Search Methods: A literature search was conducted with the use of four databases. Four different combinations of keywords and alternative terms were used throughout all the conducted searches. The literature search was determined by inclusion criteria, mainly female athletes, neuromuscular training and injury risk reduction. The literature search yielded five studies that satisfied all the inclusion and exclusion criteria, consisting of one meta-analysis, three systematic reviews and one cohort study- that were then critically appraised through the use of Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tools (Appendix) that assessed their validity, results and applicability to patient care Results: The selected five studies that were appraised in this review showed a statistical significance on the positive effect of NMT as a prevention of ACL injuries in female athletes. It was also indicated that further research needs to be conducted in order to promote the practice and effectiveness of NMT in clinical practice, education, management and policies. Conclusion: The chosen studies concluded that NMT can reduce or even prevent the risk of ACL injuries in female athletes. However, more research is needed to identify the factors that can make NMT more effective in the reduction of ACL injuries.