AIMS

The research aims to develop a field-based neuromuscular screening tool (NST) for use by technical coaches within female grass-roots youth football. The tool would allow coaches to highlight players who demonstrate lower-limb neuromuscular dysfunction. The implications for long-term neuromuscular dysfunction include (a) reduced performance due to poor movement competency, (b) increased susceptibility to injury, resulting in reduction/cessation of sport and physical activity, potentially leading to chronic health and wellbeing complications.

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Whilst there has been significant research on the development of NSTs assessing neuromuscular dysfunctions (1) their successful implementation in industry is uncertain due to a variety of obstacles, including; time constraints, lack of knowledge, equipment needs, funding and perceived lack of need (2; 3).  Therefore, there is a dearth of literature regarding the successful implementation of NSTs within grass-roots level sport. This research aims to develop a novel, simple-to-use NST tool for grass-roots coaches, evaluating its implementation using the RE-AIM framework.  
 
End-user guidance, sought at stages during the development of the NST, will increase its relevance to current industry practices thereby increasing potential for greater adoption, enhancing the originality of the research.  

 

1.    Onate, J., Dewey, T., Kollock, R., Thomas, K., Van Lunen, B., DeMaio, M., & Ringleb, S. (2012). Real-Time Intersession and Interrater Reliability of the Functional Movement Screen. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 26(2), 408-415. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0b013e318220e6fa
2.    Myer, G. D., Ford, K. R., Khoury, J., Succop, P., & Hewett, T. E. (2010). Development and Validation of a Clinic-Based Prediction Tool to Identify Female Athletes at High Risk for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 38(10), 2025-2033. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546510370933
3.    Chimera, N. J., & Warren, M. (2016). Use of clinical movement screening tests to predict injury in sport. World Journal of Orthopedics, 7(4), 202. https://doi.org/10.5312/wjo.v7.i4.202