Summary of reviewed studies including study design, the Physiotherapy Evidence Database score, sports, number of teams, ages, type, length, frequency and duration
| Reference (year) | Study design | Level of evidence | Sports | Number of teams | Ages | Type | Length | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hewett et al (1999)21 | Prospective non-randomised cohort | 2b | Soccer, volleyball and basketball | 15 teams (control) and 15 teams (intervention) | 14–18 year (range) | Stretching, plyometrics, weight training | 60–90 min | 3 days per week in preseason | 6 weeks |
| Soderman et al (2000)22 | Prospective randomised control | 2b | Soccer | 6 teams (control) and 7 teams (intervention) | C:20.4±5.4 year and I: 20.4±4.6 year (mean) | Balance with dynadiscs, balance boards | 10–15 min | Each day for 30 days and 3 days per week rest of the season | 6 months |
| Heidt et al (2000)20 | Prospective randomised control | 1b | Soccer | 258 individuals (control) and 42 individuals (intervention) | 14–18 year (range) | Cardiovascular, plyometrics, strength, flexibility, agility, sports specific drills | 75 min | 3 days per week in preseason | 7 weeks |
| Myklebust et al (2003)23 | Prospective non-randomised cross over | 2b | Handball | 60 teams (first year), 58 teams (second year) and 52 teams (third year) | 21–22 year (mean) | Balance with mats, wobble boards | 15 min | 3 days per week for 5–7 weeks. Once a week for rest of the season | One competitive handball season (5 months) |
| Mandelbaum et al (2005)24 | Prospective non-randomised cohort | 2b | Soccer | 207 teams (control) and 97 teams (intervention) | 14–18 year (range) | Basic warm-up, stretching, strengthening, plyometrics, agility | 20 min | 2–3 times per week in in-season | 3 competitive soccer seasons (12 weeks per season) |
| Olsen et al (2005)25 | Prospective cluster randomised controlled | 1b | Handball | 59 teams(control) and 61 teams (intervention) | 16–17 year (mean) | Warm-up, technique, balance, strength, power | 15–20 min | 15 consecutive sessions. Once a week for rest of the season | One competitive handball season (5 months) |
| Petersen et al (2005)26 | Prospective matched cohort | 2b | Handball | 10 teams(control) and 10 teams (intervention) | C:19.8 and I: 19.4 year (mean) | Education, balance-board exercise, jump training | 10 min | 3 times per week in preseason. Once per week for rest of the season | 8 weeks |
| Pfeiffer et al (2006)27 | Prospective non-randomised cohort | 2b | Soccer, volleyball and basketball | 69 teams(control) and 43 teams (intervention) | 14–18 year (range) | Plyometrics | 20 min | 2 times per week in in-season | One competitive season (4–5 months) |
| Steffen et al (2008)28 | Prospective block randomised controlled | 1b | Soccer | 51 teams (control) and 58 teams (intervention) | 15.4 year (mean) | Core stability, balance, plyometrics | 15 min | 15 consecutive sessions. Once a week for rest of the season | 7.5 months |
| Gilchrist et al (2008)29 | Prospective cluster randomised controlled | 1b | Soccer | 35 teams (control) and 26 teams (intervention) | C:19.9 and I: 19.9 year (mean) | Basic warm-up, stretching, strengthening, plyometrics, agility | 20 min | 3 times per week in in-season | One competitive soccer season (4–5 months) |
| Kiani et al (2010)30 | Prospective cluster non-randomised cohort | 2b | Soccer | 49 teams (control) and 48 teams (intervention) | C: 15.0 and I: 14.7 year (mean) | Core stability, strengthening, balance | 20–25 min | 2 days per week for 2 months. Once a week for rest of the season | 9 months |
| LaBella et al (2011)32 | Prospective cluster randomised controlled | 1b | Soccer and basketball | 53 teams (control) and 53 teams (intervention) | C: 16.2 and I: 16.2 year (mean) | Strengthening, plyometrics, balance, agility | 20 min | 3 times per week in pre- and in-season | One competitive season (8–17 weeks) |
*Although the study was a randomised controlled design, the follow-up rate was low (51.2%). Therefore, the level of evidence was rated as 2b.