Evaluation of a Sport-Specific Performance Task Associated with a Lower Extremity Injury Prevention Program

Lower extremity injuries are occurring in youth sports. Injury prevention programs (IPPs) designed to prevent these injuries are being underutilized. Evidence suggests that IPPs can improve performance and reduce injury risk. Sports-specific performance benefits could be a bartering tool in coach support. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of an IPP on sport-specific performance in high school females. The study also assessed the relationship between sport-specific performance and landing biomechanics. Seventy-four athletes participated in this study (age = 15.0 ± 1.0 years, height = 65.7 ± 2.5 in, weight = 60.3 ± 10.4 kg). Participants were randomized into groups and performed a warmu-up (Focused (FOC), Traditional (F11+), or Control (CON)) during the course of their season. Variables included the the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS), performance on a Shuttle Dribble Task (SDT), before IPP implementation (PRE) and at the conclusion of their sports season (POST). Change scores for the SDT were calculated. A univariate analysis of variance evaluated differences in SDTwhile controlling for baseline variables. The association between SDTBEST and LESSAVG at PRE was assessed using a Pearson product-moment correlation. No significant differences were observed between groups(SDTBEST, SDTAVG) (P\u3e0.05). A positive correlation (R2= 0.11, P=0.004) was found between LESSAVG and SDTBEST. This study shows that there is a relationship between landing biomechanics and sport-specific performance, identifying a further need of IPP implementation. The study showed no detrimental effects on sport-specific performance by implementing IPPs over the duration of the season