Context: Neuromuscular training enhances unconscious motor responses by stimulating both the afferent signals and central mechanisms responsible for dynamic joint control. Dynamic joint-control training is a vital component of injuryprevention programs.Objective: To investigate the effects of body-weight neuromuscular training on Y-Balance Test (YBT) performance and postural control in female basketball players.Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting: Basketball practice sessions. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 28 healthy elite female basketball players were randomly assigned to an experimental (n ¼ 14) or a control group (n ¼ 14).Intervention(s): Before their regular practice sessions, the experimental group warmed up with body-weight neuromuscular exercises and the control group with standard tactical-technical exercises twice weekly for 8 weeks.Main Outcome Measure(s): Anterior-, posteromedial-, and posterolateral-reach and composite YBT scores were measured before and after 8 weeks of training.Results: Improvement over baseline scores was noted in the posteromedial (right ¼ 86.5 6 4.5 cm versus 89.6 6 2.2 cm, þ3.5%, P ¼ .049; left ¼ 85.5 6 4.3 cm versus 90.2 6 2.7 cm, þ5.5%, P ¼ .038)-and posterolateral (right ¼ 90.7 6 3.6 cm versus 94.0 6 2.7 cm, þ3.6%, P ¼ .016; left ¼ 90.9 6 3.5 cm versus 94.2 6 2.6 cm, þ3.6%, P ¼ .011)-reach directions and in the composite YBT scores (right ¼ 88.6% 6 3.2% versus 94.0% 6 1.8%, þ5.4%, P ¼ .0004; left ¼ 89.2% 6 3.2% versus 94.5% 6 3.0%, þ5.8%, P ¼ .001) of the experimental group. No differences in anterior reach were detected in either group. Differences were noted in postintervention scores for posteromedial reach (right ¼ 89.6 6 2.2 cm versus 84.3 6 4.4 cm, þ4.1%, P ¼ .005; left ¼ 94.2 6 2.6 cm versus 84.8 6 4.4 cm, þ10%, P ¼ .003) and composite scores (right ¼ 94.0% 6 1.8% versus 87.3% 6 2.0%, þ7.1%, P ¼ .003; left ¼ 94.8% 6 3.0% versus 87.9% 6 3.4%, þ7.3%, P , .0001) between the experimental and control groups.Conclusions: Body-weight neuromuscular training improved postural control and lower limb stability in female basketball players as assessed with the YBT. Incorporating neuromuscular training into the workout routines for basketball players may enhance joint awareness and reduce the risk of lower extremity injury.

The study was a two-armed, parallel group, cluster randomized controlled trial in which 15 teams (160 players) were assigned to either an experimental group (EG, 8 teams n = 86), which warmed-up with bodyweight neuromuscular exercises, or a control group (CG, 7 teams, n = 74) that performed standard tactical-technical exercises before training. All injuries during the 2015-2016 regular season were counted. Epidemiologic incidence proportion and incidence rate were also calculated. Countermovement jump (CMJ) and composite Y-Excursion Balance test (YBT) were used to assess lower limb strength and postural control. A total of 111 injuries were recorded. Chi-square test detected statistically significant differences between EG and CG (32 vs 79, P = .006). Significant differences in the injuries sustained in the EG (21 vs 11, P = .024) and CG (52 vs 27, P = .0001) during training and matches, respectively, were observed. Significant differences in post-intervention injuries were observed between in EG and CG during training (21 vs 52, P < .0001) and matches (11 vs 27, P = .006). Significant differences in epidemiologic incidence (0.37 vs 1.07, P = .023) and incidence rate (1.66 vs 4.69, P = .012) between the EG and the CG were found. Significant improvement in CMJ (+9.4%, P < .0001; d = 1.2) and composite YBT (right: +4.4%, P = .001, d = 1.0; left: +3.0%, P = .003; d = 0.8) for the EG was noted. Significant differences in post-intervention CMJ (+5.9%, P = .004) and composite YBT scores (right, +3.7%, P = .012; left, +2.3%, P = .007) between the EG and the CG were observed. Including bodyweight neuromuscular training into warm-up routines reduced the incidence of serious lower limb injuries in elite female basketball players.

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De Nardi, M, Pizzigalli, L, Benis, R, Caffaro, F, and Cremasco, MM. Acute effects of partial-body cryotherapy on isometric strength: maximum handgrip strength evaluation. J Strength Cond Res 31(12): 3497-3502, 2017-The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of a single partial-body cryotherapy (PBC) session on the maximum handgrip strength (JAMAR Hydraulic Hand dynamometer). Two hundred healthy adults were randomized into a PBC group and a control group (50 men and 50 women in each group). After the initial handgrip strength test (T0), the experimental group performed a 150-second session of PBC (temperature range between -130 and -160° C), whereas the control group stayed in a thermo neutral room (22.0 ± 0.5° C). Immediately after, both groups performed another handgrip strength test (T1). Data underlined that both groups showed an increase in handgrip strength values, especially the experimental group (Control: T0 = 39.48 kg, T1 = 40.01 kg; PBC: T0 = 39.61 kg, T1 = 41.34 kg). The analysis also reported a statistical effect related to gender (F = 491.99, P ≤ 0.05), with women showing lower handgrip strength values compared with men (women = 30.43 kg, men = 52.27 kg). Findings provide the first evidence that a single session of PBC leads to the improvement of muscle strength in healthy people. The results of the study imply that PBC could be performed also before a training session or a sport competition, to increase hand isometric strength.

The motto of the Olympic Games is Citius, Altius, Fortius which is Latin for ''Faster, Higher, Stronger''. It is a call to all competitors, not just the elite, to engage in training strategies that enhance muscular fitness and physical prowess. Today, global health recommendations aim to increase the number of children and adolescents who participate in resistance training activities. Regular participation in a developmentally appropriate resistance training program that is purposely designed to enhance neuromuscular fitness (eg. muscular strength and power) and function (eg, agility, balance, coordination, reaction time and speed) is the foundation of physical development for all youth. A developmental approach to physical conditioning can enhance the health and fitness of youth and data indicate that young athletes who engage in multifaceted strength and conditioning programs are more resistant to sports-related injuries. A compelling body of evidence has found that resistance training can be a safe, effective, and worthwhile method of conditioning for children and adolescents if qualified instruction is available and the focus of the program is on developing resistance training skill competency. A strategy of deliberate preparation characterized by planned training and qualified instruction is needed to improve a participant's skill competency and prevent the accrual of neuromuscular deficits during the growing years. From a sports performance perspective, stronger young athletes will be better prepared to learn complex movements, master sport tactics and withstand the demands of long-term sports training and competition. New perspectives for promoting resistance exercise as part of a long-term approach to youth physical development highlight the importance of integrating resistance training into youth fitness programs. Youth who do not enhance their muscular strength and motor skill proficiency early in life may not develop the prerequisite skills and abilities that would allow them to participate in a variety of activities and sports with competence and confidence later in life. A systematic approach to physical conditioning that includes resistance training and begins during childhood is needed to attain a level of athleticism that is consistent with the Olympic motto. Concerted efforts among physical education teachers, youth coaches, and health care providers are needed to ensure that all children and adolescents are prepared for the demands of physical activity and sport.