%0 Meta-Analysis
%T The efficacy of neuromuscular training, with minimal or no equipment, on performance of youth athletes: A systematic review with meta-analysis.
%A Muller MR
%A Lemes ÍR
%A Silva MSC
%A Silva NS
%A Hernández AGM
%A Pinto RZ
%J Phys Ther Sport
%V 64
%N 0
%D 2023 Nov 4
%M 37820456
%F 2.92
%R 10.1016/j.ptsp.2023.09.010
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To investigate the effects of neuromuscular training, with minimal or no equipment, on physical performance of youth athletes.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Systematic review with meta-analysis.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, PEDro and SportDiscuss from inception to March/2022.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>youth athletes (15-24years), from Olympic team sports; used neuromuscular training 2-3 times/week for, at least, 6 weeks; had a control group/usual training group; physical performance as outcomes; randomized controlled trial.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Pooled estimate of standardized mean difference (SMD), and 95% confidence interval (95%CI).<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Thirty-four studies (1111 participants) were included. Results showed that neuromuscular training improved power (SMD: 0.84 [95%CI: 0.58, 1.10]; n = 805; I2 = 64%), speed (SMD: -1.12 [95%CI: -1.68, -0.57]; n = 688; I2 = 90%) and agility (SMD: -1.21 [95%CI: -1.60, -0.83]; n = 571; I2 = 76%) compared to control group, but showed no difference between groups for muscle strength (Quadriceps SMD: 0.34 [95%CI: -0.02, 0.69]; n = 132; I2 = 0%, Hamstrings: SMD: 0.64 [95%CI: -0.04, 1.33]; n = 132; I2 = 71%), balance and flexibility.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Clinically, neuromuscular training with minimal equipment may be useful for teams with limited resources to improve mainly athletes' power and agility, including those interventions that were designed to injury prevention. Future high-quality studies are likely to change these estimates.