Clinical Trial: Role of Neuromuscular Training in Reducing Sports Injuries and Improving Fitness Among Chicago Public Elementary and Middle School Students

Study Status: Active, not recruiting
Recruit Status: Active, not recruiting
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Role of Neuromuscular Training in Reducing Sports Injuries and Improving Fitness Among Chicago Public Elementary and Middle School Students

Brief Summary: 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.

Detailed Summary:

PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH

Our long-term goal is to reduce sports-related injuries and improve physical fitness in children and adolescents by incorporating our neuromuscular training program called the Knee Injury Prevention Program (KIPP) into their physical education classes or sports practice routines. This project aims to measure the effectiveness of KIPP in reducing injuries and improving physical fitness among 5th -8th grade boys and girls in Chicago public schools. Specifically, we aim to:

  • Train PE teachers and sports coaches for 5th -8th grade students how to incorporate the 10-minute KIPP warm-up into their regular team practices and PE classes.
  • Measure the effect of KIPP on sports injury rates.
  • Measure the effect of KIPP on PE students' physical fitness.

LITERATURE REVIEW / JUSTIFICATION OF RESEARCH Sports-related injuries are a serious concern for physically active children and adolescents. Treatment costs can be substantial, and the time lost from school and sports can have considerable impact on mental health and academic performance. A handful of studies, including our previous research in CPS high schools, have shown that coach-led neuromuscular training (NMT) programs can reduce the risk for sports-related injuries among female high school athletes by up to 88%. However, few studies of NMT have included athletes under 14 years of age, and none have investigated the protective effect of NMT in sports other than soccer, basketball, volleyball and team handball. NMT includes exercises to strengthen the core and lower extremity muscles, improve balance and agility, and promote safe techniques with landing and pivoting which are the most common sports maneuv
Sponsor: Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Current Primary Outcome: sports-related lower extremity injuries [ Time Frame: 0-3 years ]

Original Primary Outcome: sports-related lower extremity injuries

Current Secondary Outcome: physical fitness as measured by presidential fitness test [ Time Frame: 0-3 years ]

Original Secondary Outcome: physical fitness as measured by presidential fitness test

Information By: Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Dates:
Date Received: July 28, 2011
Date Started: July 2011
Date Completion: July 2016
Last Updated: January 26, 2016
Last Verified: January 2016