Scientific Article
Coach Education Improves Adherence to Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Prevention Programs: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial.
This study that Dr. Marx recently conducted aimed to determine the effect of an educational workshop on adherence to neuromuscular training (NMT) among high-school coaches. A total of 399 practices/games were observed over 2 seasons. A greater proportion of coaches in the intervention group provided alignment cues to correct improper technique compared with the control group {difference = 0.04 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.01-0.07], P = 0.006}. There was a similar proportion of coaches in the intervention and control groups who provided exercise instructions [difference = 0.01 (95% CI, -0.02 to 0.04), P = 0.44]. More coaches in the intervention group completed a full NMT program [OR = 4.62 (1.22, 17.50), P = 0.02]. It was concluded that coach education can improve adherence to a NMT program and delivery of alignment cues. Coaches should receive in-person training on NMT and how to deliver alignment cues to their athletes while performing the exercises.