Does neuromuscular exercise training improve proprioception in ankle lateral ligament injury among athletes? Systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Aims:The prevalence rate of ankle complexities is increasing at a constant rate among athletes. This study aimed to systematically describe the facts and findings related to the effectiveness of training programs on proprioception among athletes suffering from ankle ligament injury. Methods: A literature search in online libraries ( Google Scholar, PubMed, EBSCOhost, and ProQuest) using different search engines was conducted for the systematic review and meta-analysis. The common keywords included NEUROMUSCULAR, EXERCISE, TRAINING, PROPRIOCEPTION, and ATHLETES. Studies related to the topic, having relevant resources, and published within the past 10 years were used as inclusion criteria. Methodological quality was assessed through PEDro scale. A meta-analysis of the selected trials was conducted to assess the effectiveness of intervention. Results: Two hundred research articles were initially selected. After close scrutiny, 15 articles were included. Five moderate to excellent quality trials were selected, which involved 2,459 participants. It has been mainly identified that ankle sprain and its complications can be easily prevented with the help of training programs (five trials, relative risk: 0.69, 96%CI: 0.65-0.87). A statistically significant relationship was identified among athletes regarding the preventive impacts of training on proprioception. Conclusions: Preventive training programs were helpful for athletes in terms of proprioception, thus reducing the risk of ankle sprains.KEY WORDS: ankle; athletes; athletic injuries; ligament injury; proprioception; physical education and training. RESUMOObjetivos: A taxa de prevalência de lesões no complexo ligamentar lateral vem aumentando entre os atletas a uma velocidade constante. Este estudo teve por objetivo descrever sistematicamente os achados relacionados à eficácia dos programas de treinamento na propriocepção entre atletas com lesão ligamentar do tornozelo. Métodos: Foi realizada uma busca em bases de dados online ( Google Scholar, PubMed, EBSCOhost e ProQuest) com o uso de diferentes mecanismos de busca, para revisão sistemática e metanálise. Os descritores comuns foram NEUROMUSCULAR, EXERCISE, TRAINING, PROPRIOCEPTION, and ATHLETES. Os estudos relacionados ao assunto, os que continham recursos relevantes e aqueles publicados nos últimos 10 anos foram usados como critério de inclusão. A qualidade metodológica foi avaliada pela escala PEDro. Foi feita uma metanálise dos estudos selecionados a fim de avaliar a eficácia da intervenção. Resultados: Inicialmente, foram selecionados 200 artigos de pesquisa. Após uma avaliação detalhada, restaram 15 artigos. Cinco estudos de qualidade moderada a excelente foram selecionados, totalizando 2.459 participantes. Verificou-se, principalmente, que o entorse de tornozelo e suas complicações podem ser evitados facilmente com o auxílio de programas de treinamento (cinco estudos, risco relativo: 0,69, IC 96%: 0,65-0,87). Observou-se uma relação estatisticamente significativa em termos dos efeitos preventivos d...

A Comprehensive Summary of Systematic Reviews on Sports Injury Prevention Strategies

“…Several overlapping systematic reviews have found evidence supporting the effectiveness of neuromuscular training, 34 , 35 , 250 proprioception and balance training, 25 , 34 , 48 , 143 , 197 and exercise interventions 50 , 83 for preventing ankle injuries. Four overlapping systematic reviews 25 , 48 , 116 , 197 found that proprioception or balance training reduced ankle injuries by 31% to 46%, and these training programs primarily consisted of single-leg stance challenges, wobble/balance board exercises, and sport-specific agility drills. Furthermore, Schiftan et al 197 found that proprioceptive training (ie, balance exercise with or without balance/wobble board or ankle disc for at least 8 weeks) was effective at reducing ankle sprains in athletes with (RR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.51-0.81) and without (RR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.34-0.97) a history of ankle sprain.…”