title: Preventive exercises reduced injury-related costs among adult male amateur soccer players: a cluster-randomised trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Is an injury prevention program consisting of 10 exercises designed to improve stability, muscle strength, co-ordination, and flexibility of the trunk, hip and leg muscles (known as The11) cost effective in adult male amateur soccer players?
  
  
  METHODS
  Cost-effectiveness analysis of a cluster-randomised controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  479 adult male amateur soccer players aged 18-40 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  The intervention group was instructed to perform the exercises at each training session (2 to 3 sessions per week) during one soccer season. The exercises focus on core stability, eccentric training of thigh muscles, proprioceptive training, dynamic stabilisation, and plyometrics with straight leg alignment. The control group continued their usual warm-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  All injuries and costs associated with these injuries were compared between groups after bootstrapping (5000 replications).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences in the proportion of injured players and injury rate were found between the two groups. Mean overall costs in the intervention group were €161 (SD 447) per athlete and €256 (SD 555) per injured athlete. Mean overall costs in the control group were €361 (SD 1529) per athlete and €606 (SD 1944) per injured athlete. Statistically significant cost differences in favour of the intervention group were found per player (mean difference €201, 95% CI 15 to 426) and per injured player (mean difference €350, 95% CI 51 to 733).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The exercises failed to significantly reduce the number of injuries in male amateur soccer players within one season, but did significantly reduce injury-related costs. The cost savings might be the result of a preventive effect on knee injuries, which often have substantial costs due to lengthy rehabilitation and lost productivity.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NTR2416.
authors: Department of Rehabilitation, Nursing Science & Sports, University Medical Centre, Utrecht, The Netherlands. m.r.krist@umcutrecht.nl
authors: Mark R
authors: MR
authors: Krist
authors: Anna M C
authors: AM
authors: van Beijsterveldt
authors: Frank J G
authors: FJ
authors: Backx
authors: G Ardine
authors: GA
authors: de Wit
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000191:economics* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000191:economics; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000502:physiology; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries* / Q000502:physiology; D013848:Thigh / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult