THE FEASIBILITY OF A SPORTS PHYSICAL THERAPIST LED IMPLEMENTATION OF A PREVENTIVE TRAINING PROGRAM IN A DUTCH AMATEUR FOOTBALL CLUB

• Published in: British journal of sports medicine Vol. 51; no. 4; p. 404
• Main Authors: Verheul, Maartje, Barendrecht, Maarten
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group LTD 01.02.2017
• ISSN: 0306-3674; 1473-0480
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-097372.304

BackgroundPreventive training programs are effective in reducing injury risk but the implementation of these programs on club level remains a challenge. The sports physical therapist (SPT) could play an important role in this process. The feasibility of a SPT led implementation process has not yet been investigated.ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility of a SPT led implementation of a preventive warm-up program in a Dutch amateur football club.DesignImplementation study.SettingA Dutch amateur football club.Patients (or Participants)Club officials, trainers, coaches and athletes.Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors)SPT led implementation of the FIFA11+ warm-up program on all club levels in a Dutch amateur football club.Main Outcome MeasurementsTasks and time-management of the SPT. Effectiveness of different aspects of the implementation process using the RE-AIM framework.ResultsImportant tasks on sports medical subjects were the development of a training program adjusted to the context and the adopters, and yearly coach education (workshops and manuals). Management tasks consisted of the composition of an implementation team and plan, and the support of this team during the implementation process. Overall during the first season it took the SPT 50 hours to complete these tasks. After one season adoption (88.4%) and implementation (88.9%) on trainer level as well as maintenance on club level (>92%) were high.ConclusionsA SPT led implementation process of an injury prevention program in an amateur football club seems a feasible option to change club level policy and behaviour on injury prevention, in addition to implementation strategies on national level and in coach education. Prospective randomized trials are needed to investigate the additional effectiveness of such club level implementation.