OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of integrative neuromuscular training for injury prevention of lower extremity in athletes using meta-analysis method, to provide the optimal dose-response of integrative neuromuscular training to prevent injuries in athletes. METHODS: CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched for articles regarding effect of integrative neuromuscular training for injury prevention of lower extremity published from January 1, 2000 to June 20, 2021. The key words were "integrative neuromuscular training, neuromuscular training, neuromuscular warm-up, prevent, reduce, sports injury, lower limb injury" in Chinese, and "integrative neuromuscular training, neuromuscular training, neuromuscular warm-up, neuromuscular, prevent, reduces, lower limb injuries, injury, sport injuries" in English. The Review Manage 5.3 software was used to analyze the included articles. Subgroup analysis was performed in five variables, including training volume, frequency per week, period, sample size, and gender. Random effects model and global effect size were utilized to examine the heterogeneity and publication bias. RESULTS: Totally 14 randomized controlled trials were included, with 15,932 subjects. (1) Meta-analysis results showed an overall risk reduction of 39% for the lower limbs (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.69). (2) Subgroup analysis found that training volume of 16 to 20 minutes, training frequencies of 2 to 3 times per week, interventions for 4 to 6 months revealed the largest risk reduction. (3) The sample size of 50 to 1,000 produced better effects comparable to those with larger sample size. (4) Integrative neuromuscular training had a significant effect on the prevention of lower limb sports injury in males. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Integrative neuromuscular training can effectively prevent athletes' lower limb sports injuries. Heterogeneity between articles can be explained by the country of origin of the subjects. (2) Integrative neuromuscular training with exercise volume of 16 to 20 minutes, 2 to 3 times per week for 4 to 6 months can achieve the optimal preventive effect.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• DOI
• PDF locator
• publisher