Strength training as an effective strategy for injury prevention and performance enhancement in team sports: a scoping review

Abstract Background Muscular strength that can be improved through maximal, explosive, and reactive training reduces injury risk and enhances performance in athletes. In team sports, increased strength boosts physical and neuromuscular function, delays fatigue and speeds recovery. Objective This scoping review aims to map and synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the role of strength training (ST) in injury prevention, performance enhancement, or their combined effects in team sports. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted in five databases (SciVerse Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and CINAHL) from 2015 to 2026. Keywords related to ST, injuries, and team sports were used in the search. We included RCTs assessing the effectiveness of ST in preventing injuries and enhancing performance in team sports. The methodological and content quality of the included studies were evaluated using the Tool for the Assessment of Study Quality and Reporting in Exercise (TESTEX) scale. Results This review included 17 RCTs involving team sports: soccer ( n = 11), volleyball ( n = 3), and one each for football, handball, and rugby. Participants had a mean age range of 12.7–25.8 years, with sample sizes varying from 20 to 652 athletes. Six studies reported concurrent improvements in injury-related and performance-related outcomes, suggesting that ST may influence biomechanical alignment, muscle balance, and sport-relevant function. Three RCTs focusing on injury outcomes indicated that ST was associated with lower injury incidence, including hamstring strains, groin injuries, and overall injury occurrence. Across eight studies, ST was associated with improvements in sprint speed, jump height, muscular strength, and endurance. Thirteen of the 17 studies were rated ‘Good’, while the remaining studies were rated ‘Fair’. Conclusions Evidence from RCTs suggests that structured ST is associated with improvements in injury-related and performance outcomes in team-sport athletes; however, intervention heterogeneity and sport-specific concentration warrant cautious interpretation. Review registration: PROSPERO # CRD42024610812.