Neuromuscular Warm-Ups and Lower-Limb Injury Risk: A 12-Week Pilot Study in Female Youth Basketball

Abstract

Hicks, DS, Fox, J, Russo, MP, Baker, S, Ranford, D, and Bird, SP. Neuromuscular warm-ups and lower-limb injury risk: A 12-week pilot study in female youth basketball. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2026—This study examined the effects of a 12-week neuromuscular warm-up program (NMWP) on changes to force-time variables during countermovement jump (CMJ) and drop jump (DJ) actions, and their association with modifiable lower-limb injury risk factors. A repeated-measures design was used to compare force-time variables in 13 female youth representative basketball players, with pre and post force-time data collected from CMJ and DJ actions using force plates. Once divided into experimental and control groups (EG and CG), the EG performed the NMWP in the 12-minute period before the on-court session, twice a week for 12 weeks. The CG completed a generalized dynamic warm-up which was volume and duration matched. Analyses were performed using linear mixed models, cluster, and principal component analysis with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Significant time × group interactions were observed for mean and peak propulsive power (CMJ), indicating greater improvements in the EG ( d = −2.40 to −1.93) compared with the CG. Similar interactions were observed for mean propulsive force, mean and peak propulsive power, reactive strength index, and net propulsive impulse during the DJ, reflecting a greater change in the EG ( d = −2.15 to −1.46). Nonsignificant, positive pre-post changes were noted for mean and peak braking force. This pilot study showed a 3-month NMWP produced meaningful improvements in CMJ and DJ force-time characteristics, jump outcomes, and jump strategies associated with favorable biomechanical adaptations relevant to injury risk.