Coaches’ experiences of injury prevention in youth elite athletes: An interview study of 10 coaches

• Published in: Physical therapy in sport Vol. 63; pp. 112 - 117
• Main Authors: Kempe, Harald, Rasmussen-Barr, Eva, von Rosen, Philip
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2023; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Athletic injury; Athletic recruitment; Coaches & managers; Collaboration; Content analysis; Data analysis; Data collection; Education; Elite sports; Exercise; Injury prevention; Interviews; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Musculoskeletal injury; Perceptions; Physical therapy; Prevention programs; Primary prevention; Qualitative research; Secondary schools; Sports injuries; Sports medicine; Students; Sweden; Athletic injury; Elite sports; Primary prevention; Musculoskeletal injury
• ISSN: 1466-853X; 1873-1600; 1873-1600
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2023.07.007

Injury prevention is important to reduce the high injury risk in youth elite athletes studying at sports high schools. Coaches are considered important in youth elite sports and injury prevention. The aim was to investigate perceptions and experiences of injury prevention among coaches at sports high schools. A manifest qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach was used based on ten semi-structured interviews with coaches who work at sports high schools. An overarching theme “Coaches of youth athletes value injury prevention but have limited knowledge and support” was identified and five main categories were formed. Coaches perceived themselves to play an important role in injury prevention, yet they described limited time for knowledge acquisition and highlighted the close collaboration with other professions as a key in injury prevention. A coach's knowledge and support are critical factors in injury prevention of youth elite athletes. Evidence-based as well as non-evidence-based approaches are used, and the biopsychosocial perspective was not always taken into consideration. A need for more interprofessional collaboration and knowledge acquisition regarding injury prevention is warranted. •Coach's knowledge and perceived need for support are critical factors in injury prevention.•A biopsychosocial perspective was not always taken into consideration.•Evidence-based as well as non-evidence-based approaches are used.•Interprofessional collaboration and knowledge acquisition are warranted.