Il ruolo della propriocezione nella prevenzione della distorsione di caviglia nel calcio. Revisione sistematica della letteratura

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: soccer is the world's most participated sport, but it carries a high risk of ankle injuries. Injuries are common across all divisions, but proprioception, the awareness of body position, is crucial in preventing them OBJECTIVE: the main objective is to identify scientifically validated approaches to prevent ankle sprains in soccer, aiming to enhance athletes' health and performance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020” guidelines were followed. Relevant articles were identified through a search of databases including PubMed, Cochrane, PEDro, and Scopus. Three Randomized Controlled Trials consistent with the research question were identified. Assessment of methodological quality was conducted using the PEDro Scale. RESULTS: the studies have revealed statistical significance regarding ankle injury prevention in soccer. Specifically, proprioceptive training has proven to be highly effective, showing a significant reduction in the incidence of injuries compared to the control group. Some training programs have, on the whole, reduced the injury rate, although this reduction was not statistically significant for subjects without a history of ankle injuries. CONCLUSION: the results highlight that proprioception-based training is effective in reducing the incidence of ankle sprains in soccer. This approach could contribute to improving the health and performance of athletes, especially those with previous ankle sprains.