Effects of Neuromuscular Training on Performance and Injury Prevention in Youth Team Sports: Development of an Evidence-Based Educational Program

Abstract

Introduction Team sports have become increasingly fast-paced and athletic, particularly at the elite international level. Over the past 15 years, a widening performance gap in explosiveness and speed has been observed between Swiss youth and elite athletes in team sports. Promising talents with deficits in these areas face growing difficulties in establishing themselves at the elite level. Concurrently, there has been a rapid increase in scientific publications demonstrating the positive effects of neuromuscular training on explosiveness, speed, and in addition on injury prevention.

Objective: To develop an evidence-based educational program for coaches to optimize neuromuscular training in youth team sports, addressing the challenges of complex knowledge transfer, diverse stakeholders, and heterogeneous training approaches.

Methods The "Power to Win" project was initiated by the Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen in collaboration with Swiss national sports federations and Swiss Olympic. A multi-step approach was employed:

1. Formation of a project group comprising scientists, practitioners, and stakeholders
2. Development of an impact model focusing on optimizing athlete training through improved coach knowledge, awareness, and motivation.
3. Analysis of training content, coach knowledge, and educational courses.
4. Creation of a roadmap based on scientific evidence and expert knowledge.
5. Definition of key concepts and models (e.g., performance model, long-term athlete development model).
6. Structuring of knowledge according to educational levels (Jugend+Sport, national federations, coach education) and along the talent pathway (FTEM model, F1 to T4).
7. Stage-specific adaptation of knowledge transfer considering available time for education and existing knowledge.

Results The project resulted in the development of five digital learning courses for self-study and for integration into existing training programs. These courses are freely accessible online and designed to facilitate blended learning approaches, allowing for increased practical training time during in-person courses. The online content covers Bloom's taxonomy levels 1-3, while levels 4-6 are addressed in face-to-face training sessions.

Discussion/Conclusion Translating scientific evidence into practical applications presents significant challenges due to various external influences. This project demonstrates a systematic approach to developing an evidence-based educational program for neuromuscular training in youth team sports. By addressing the complexities of knowledge transfer and considering the needs of diverse stakeholders, this program aims to bridge the gap between research and practice in enhancing performance and preventing injuries among young athletes in team sports. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of this educational program in improving coach knowledge and behavior, as well as its impact on athlete performance and injury rates in youth team sports.

References

Coutts, A. J. (2017). Challenges in developing evidence-based practice in high-performance sport. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 12(6), 717–718. https://doi.org/10.1123/IJSPP.2017-0455

Lloyd, R. S., Oliver, J. L., Faigenbaum, A. D., Howard, R., De Ste Croix, M. B., Williams, C. A., Best, T. M., Alvar, B. A., Micheli, L. J., Thomas, D. P., Hatfield, D. L., Cronin, J. B., & Myer, G. D. (2015). Long-term athletic development, part 2: Barriers to success and potential solutions. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 29(5), 1451–1464. https://doi.org/10.1519/01.JSC.0000465424.75389.56