Neuromuscular Training to Reduce Sports Injuries Among Children and Adolescents

Sports-related injuries are a serious concern for physically active children and adolescents. Previous research, including ours at Chicago public high schools, shows our neuromuscular training program, the Knee Injury Prevention Program (KIPP) reduces sports-related injuries in female athletes by up to 88%. However, KIPP is not well-studied in males or younger age groups. This project aims to determine KIPP's effect on sports-related injuries and physical fitness among 5th-8th grade students in Chicago public schools. The study will take place during the 2011-2013 school years. To measure KIPP's effect on sports injuries, we will recruit 5th-8th grade sports coaches and their athletes, randomize coaches by school into two groups, then train the intervention group to implement a 10-minute KIPP warm-up before practices and games. Control group will perform their usual warm-up. Research assistants will collect athlete participation and injury data from coaches weekly. To determine feasibility of KIPP in PE classes and measure its effect on fitness, we will recruit PE teachers to implement the warm-up in PE classes for a minimum of 10 weeks, and record students' presidential fitness test scores before and after the 10+ weeks. Results of this study will guide strategies for preventing sports-related injuries and improving physical fitness in 5th -8th graders.