High levels of coach intent to integrate a ACL injury prevention program into training does not translate to effective implementation

J Sci Med Sport. 2015 Jul;18(4):400-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2014.06.008. Epub 2014 Jun 25.

Abstract

Objectives: Evaluate the effect of a anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention program coaching workshop on elite-level youth soccer coaches' behavioral determinants to implement a injury prevention program and describe coaches' subsequent injury prevention program implementation compliance.

Design: Descriptive study.

Methods: We evaluated a soccer club's coaches' behavioral determinants regarding injury prevention programming implementation before and after a coaching workshop using pre- and post-workshop surveys. We then described the club's coaches' subsequent adoption of and implementation compliance with the injury prevention programming during the following season.

Results: The injury prevention workshop increased coaches' attitudes toward conducting a program at the beginning of practice (p<0.05), substituting the program for a warm-up prior to practice (p<0.05), and improving player cutting and landing technique by implementing the program (p<0.05). The injury prevention program workshop increased coaches' perceived behavioral control; feeling more comfortable in their ability to teach their team a program (p<0.05), and more confident leading a program if given instructions (p<0.05). The injury prevention program workshop increased coaches' intent to implement a program the next season (p<0.05), to implement a program for 15min (p<0.05), and 20min (p<0.05) prior to the start of a training session. Only 53% of the club's teams implemented the injury prevention program, with implementers demonstrating high variability in program fidelity.

Conclusions: Coaching workshops can effectively increase coach attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and intent to implement a injury prevention program. However, high levels of behavioral determinants do not appear to translate to high levels of implementation compliance.

Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; Athletic injuries; Compliance; Physical education and training; Primary prevention.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries*
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Intention*
  • Male
  • Physical Education and Training
  • Primary Prevention / education
  • Primary Prevention / organization & administration*
  • Program Development
  • Self Efficacy
  • Soccer / education
  • Soccer / injuries*