Best practices for the dissemination and implementation of neuromuscular training injury prevention warm-ups in youth team sport: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate best practices for neuromuscular training (NMT) injury prevention warm-up programme dissemination and implementation (D&I) in youth team sports, including characteristics, contextual predictors and D&I strategy effectiveness. DESIGN: Systematic review. DATA SOURCES: Seven databases were searched. ELIGIBILITY: The literature search followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. INCLUSION CRITERIA: participation in a team sport, ≥70% youth participants (<19 years), D&I outcomes with/without NMT-related D&I strategies. The risk of bias was assessed using the Downs & Black checklist. RESULTS: Of 8334 identified papers, 68 were included. Sport participants included boys, girls and coaches. Top sports were soccer, basketball and rugby. Study designs included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) (29.4%), cross-sectional (23.5%) and quasi-experimental studies (13.2%). The median Downs & Black score was 14/33. Injury prevention effectiveness (vs efficacy) was rarely (8.3%) prioritised across the RCTs evaluating NMT programmes. Two RCTs (2.9%) used Type 2/3 hybrid approaches to investigate D&I strategies. 19 studies (31.6%) used D&I frameworks/models. Top barriers were time restrictions, lack of buy-in/support and limited benefit awareness. Top facilitators were comprehensive workshops and resource accessibility. Common D&I strategies included Workshops with supplementary Resources (WR; n=24) and Workshops with Resources plus in-season Personnel support (WRP; n=14). WR (70%) and WRP (64%) were similar in potential D&I effect. WR and WRP had similar injury reduction (36-72%) with higher adherence showing greater effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: Workshops including supplementary resources supported the success of NMT programme implementation, however, few studies examined effectiveness. High-quality D&I studies are needed to optimise the translation of NMT programmes into routine practice in youth sport.

Beyond acute concussion assessment to office management: a systematic review informing the development of a Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool (SCOAT6) for adults and children.

OBJECTIVES: To systematically review the scientific literature regarding the assessment of sport-related concussion (SRC) in the subacute phase (3-30 days) and provide recommendations for developing a Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool (SCOAT6). DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science searched from 2001 to 2022. Data extracted included study design, population, definition of SRC diagnosis, outcome measure(s) and results. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: (1) Original research, cohort studies, case-control studies, diagnostic accuracy and case series with samples >10; (2) SRC; (3) screening/technology that assessed SRC in the subacute period and (4) low risk of bias (ROB). ROB was performed using adapted Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria. Quality of evidence was evaluated using the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy classification. RESULTS: Of 9913 studies screened, 127 met inclusion, assessing 12 overlapping domains. Results were summarised narratively. Studies of acceptable (81) or high (2) quality were used to inform the SCOAT6, finding sufficient evidence for including the assessment of autonomic function, dual gait, vestibular ocular motor screening (VOMS) and mental health screening. CONCLUSION: Current SRC tools have limited utility beyond 72 hours. Incorporation of a multimodal clinical assessment in the subacute phase of SRC may include symptom evaluation, orthostatic hypotension screen, verbal neurocognitive tests, cervical spine evaluation, neurological screen, Modified Balance Error Scoring System, single/dual task tandem gait, modified VOMS and provocative exercise tests. Screens for sleep disturbance, anxiety and depression are recommended. Studies to evaluate the psychometric properties, clinical feasibility in different environments and time frames are needed. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020154787.

Injuries in Youth Volleyball Players at a National Championship: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Mechanisms of Injury.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate injury incidence rates, types, mechanisms, and potential risk factors in youth volleyball. DESIGN: Prospective cohort. SETTING: 2018 Canadian Youth National Volleyball Tournament. PARTICIPANTS: Thousand eight hundred seventy-six players [466 males, 1391 females, mean age 16.2 years (±1.26)] consented to participate (19.5%). ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS: Sex (male/female), age group, position, and underage players. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Players completed a questionnaire (demographic information, injury, and concussion history). Medical attention injuries were recorded by tournament medical personnel through an injury report form (eg, mechanism and type). Injury was defined as any physical complaint seeking onsite medical attention. Concussion was defined using the fifth International Consensus. Injury rates adjusted for cluster by team were calculated by sex. Exploratory multivariable Poisson regression was used to analyze potential risk factors (eg, sex, age group, position, and underage players) for injury, adjusted for cluster by team and offset by athlete exposures (AEs). RESULTS: There were 101 injuries in the 7-day tournament {IRFemale = 6.78 injuries/1000 AEs [95% confidence interval (CI), 5.27-8.72]; IRMale = 4.30 injuries/1000 AEs (95% CI, 2.55-7.24)}. Joint sprain (n = 29, 28.71%) and concussion (n = 26, 25.74%) were the most common. Most concussions were associated with ball-to-head contact (61.5%). There was no statistically significant difference in injury rate by sex (IRRF/M: 1.47; 95% CI, 0.80-2.69). The rates of injury in U14 were higher than U18 (IRRU14: 2.57; 95% CI, 1.11-5.98). CONCLUSIONS: Injury rates are high in youth volleyball tournament play, with the highest rates in U14. More research is needed to inform the development of volleyball-specific injury prevention strategies.