The role of preseason conditioning in preventing athletic injuries.

The role of preseason conditioning in injury prevention was discussed in this article. Evidence was presented that conditioning involving flexibility, cardiovascular work, and resistance training contributed to the structural integrity of the joint as well as the muscle-tendon unit. The effect these physiologic adaptions had on the prevention of injuries was investigated. Epidemiological studies were reviewed to ascertain this effect and were found to carry methodological problems that made conclusions questionable. Further epidemiological research was recommended with suggested design modifications to produce valid conclusions. Even though there is a lack of empirical evidence relating preseason conditioning to injury prevention, many studies were reviewed that showed a clear connection between many specific training techniques that are used to prevent injury. The role of flexibility and resistance training in the prevention of hamstring strains was particularly emphasized. The application of preseason conditioning toward preventing injury was then discussed. It was recommended that a preseason evaluation precede this conditioning so that the sports medicine evaluator could assess the athlete's level of conditioning. Based on the strengths and weaknesses of this evaluation a preseason conditioning program could be devised. The elements of such a program were then presented with a summary of preseason training techniques. Specificity of testing and training was recommended. The closer that athletes come to testing and training for the muscle function needed in their sport, the greater the chance of increased performance. In addition, a more specific and adequate muscle function was thought to help in the prevention of injuries.