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Training & movement

A · High confidence

Strength training and the number of sports injuries in athletes

Subject: Strength training as dose-dependent, safe injury prevention

What this means

Groups doing strength training had about a third as many sports injuries (relative risk 0.338). A 10% increase in training volume went with an injury risk more than four percentage points lower.

Lauersen JB, Andersen TE, Andersen LB · 2018 · British Journal of Sports Medicine 52(24):1557-1563

What does this rating mean?

Multiple consistent meta-analyses or a position stand. Sufficient basis for a fixed choice in the coaching.

Findings

The protective effect of strength training on acute and overuse injuries increases with the amount of training, without evidence of extra risk.

Who this applies to

Athletes aged 12 to 40, from five studies in Europe and one in Africa.

Size of the research

Six randomised trials with 7738 participants in total, who sustained 177 injuries.

What to keep in mind

Only a few studies, with very different populations and programmes. The link with training volume comes from a comparative analysis done afterwards.

Practical conclusion for REZA

The most concrete evidence for strength training in clients with recurring complaints. More strength training is demonstrably better here, up to a point.

View method and source

Methodology

Systematic review, qualitative analysis and meta-analysis

Original source

DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2018-099078 · PMID: 30131332

View on PubMed →

This information is general education about scientific research. It is not personal medical advice and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a doctor or other healthcare professional. If you have symptoms, a medical condition or take medication, consult your GP or treating professional before changing your training or nutrition.