Efficacy of neuromuscular training for enhancing postural stability in young athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background – Postural stability is vital for athletic performance and injury prevention in young athletes. While neuromuscular training (NMT) is common, its specific effects on different stability components and optimal training parameters remain unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of NMT on dynamic and static postural stability in young athletes. Methods – Five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus) were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining NMT effects on postural stability in young athletes. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using the PEDro scale and RoB 1.0. Evidence certainty was evaluated via the GRADE approach. Data were pooled using a random-effects model, reporting standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results – Eighteen articles (19 independent trials, N = 605) were included. NMT significantly improved both dynamic [SMD = 0.96, 95% CI (0.70, 1.22), p < 0.00001] and static postural stability [SMD = 0.96, 95% CI (0.60, 1.32), p < 0.00001]. Subgroup analyses identified participant age as a significant source of heterogeneity for static stability outcomes. Conclusions – NMT effectively enhances dynamic and static postural stability in young athletes. Given the comparable efficacy across different NMT modalities, practitioners can flexibly design training programs to suit specific athletic contexts and practical constraints. Systematic Review Registration – https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/, identifier CRD420261299111.