| Problem: Participation in youth sports is at an all-time high. There are many benefits to participating in sports, and thus involvement should be encouraged. However, the risk of injury cannot be ignored. Reducing injury in young athletes can have tremendous benefits not only for the players themselves, but from a public health perspective as well. Methods: Peer-reviewed articles from the past decade were found and have identified the benefits of a neuromuscular training (NMT) program on reducing injuries in youth sports. Results: The studies reviewed determined that neuromuscular training warm-up programs reduce the number of injuries sustained across a wide variety of sports such as soccer, basketball, and handball. Conclusions: Further research is needed on the effects of NMT programs in newer, "up-and-coming" sports such as lacrosse. This research will likely benefit countless young athletes, allowing them to participate in sports without having to fear getting sidelined by an injury. |
