ATIVIDADES PROPRIOCEPTIVAS NA PREVENÇÃO DE ENTORSES DE JOELHO EM JOGADORES DE FUTEBOL

Knee stability is essential for the safe performance of soccer players, and its susceptibility to sprains and ligament injuries necessitates effective prevention strategies. Proprioceptive activities have been widely studied as an efficient method to strengthen neuromuscular response, enhance motor control, and reduce the occurrence of injuries in sports. Considering this perspective, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of proprioceptive activities in preventing knee sprains, identifying the most suitable exercises and best practices for their implementation in sports training programs. To achieve this goal, a bibliographic research was conducted with a review of published studies from PUBMED, LILACS, and Google Scholar, using scientific descriptors related to proprioception, injury prevention, neuromuscular training, and joint stability. Inclusion criteria considered recent articles that directly addressed the relationship between proprioceptive training and knee sprain prevention in soccer players. After applying methodological filters and relevance criteria, 40 articles were initially identified, of which 16 were selected for the review. The results showed that proprioceptive training directly influences the reduction of knee sprains by improving players’ ability to stabilize the joint during high-impact and rapid movements. Exercises involving unstable surfaces, directional changes, and dynamic balance were particularly effective in activating stabilizing muscles around the knee. Additionally, athletes who regularly engage in these activities demonstrated a lower recurrence rate of injuries and improved sports performance. The study’s conclusion reinforces that implementing proprioceptive exercises in soccer players’ training programs can significantly contribute to knee sprain prevention, promoting greater safety and joint stability. However, due to the bibliographic nature of the research, it was not possible to experimentally assess the effectiveness of the reviewed protocols, highlighting the need for longitudinal and experimental studies that monitor athletes over time. Future research could deepen comparative analyses of different proprioceptive training methods and explore individual variables such as age and injury history to refine personalized prevention strategies.