A critical appraisal of "A school-based injury prevention program to reduce sport injury risk and improve healthy outcomes in youth: a pilot cluster-randomized controlled trial"

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2017-12

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Reid, Ryan

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Introduction: With an evidence-based approach in medicine, one must utilize critical analysis of scientific literature to effectively determine its potential application. This critical appraisal focuses on a specific article concerning neuromuscular training and its effectiveness in answering a clinical question concerning the prevention of knee injuries among youth. In order to better determine the article's applicability, it was carefully analyzed based on its introduction, methods, results, discussion, and overall study design. Methods: A systematic approach was used during the literature search process in order to arrive at a clinically relevant article for appraisal. This approach included utilizing two internet databases along with specific search criteria to obtain relevant, modern, and academically acceptable articles. This particular article was selected for appraisal due to its overall aim and clinical relevance to the clinical question being investigated. Results: Systematic critical appraisal of the various sections within the article enabled the identification of various strengths and weaknesses found within the study design and article. Division of the appraisal by the article's introduction, methods, results, and discussion allowed more specific criticism of the different areas of the study to aid in determining its overall reliability and potential application. The appraisal effectively identified many areas of improvement for current and future studies, but it also aided in determining strengths found primarily within the design of the study and participation of subjects. Discussion: Following critical appraisal of the article's various sections, the overall clinical significance and application to the clinical question was discussed. Despite the strengths in the design of the study, the large quantity of participants, and the apparent success of the intervention, there was enough weakness found within the study to not be able to directly apply this intervention in a clinical setting. However, the authors formulated an acceptable study that can be used in further research in an increasingly popular training and rehabilitation approach.

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