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Yeung E.1, Babawy A.1, Gerguis M.1, Guirguis J.1, Hagglund E.1, Nagle A.1, Yoshida K.1, McGlasson R.2
1University of Toronto, Department of Physical Therapy, Toronto, Canada, 2Bone and Joint Canada, Toronto, Canada
Background: While the literature highlights the economic benefits of the FIFA 11+ program and its success in decreasing injury rates, there has been no research that evaluates the perspectives of frontline healthcare professionals closely involved in sports. Their attitudes and beliefs concerning injury prevention are critical to the successful implementation of injury prevention programs and to the level of adherence among players.
Purpose: The objectives of this study are to explore and identify the experiences of healthcare professionals who have had training in the FIFA 11+ prevention program, as well as to determine how their training in this particular program has influenced their beliefs and overall practice with respect to injury prevention in both athletic and non-athlete populations. This is the first study to examine the experiences of physiotherapists trained in the FIFA 11+ injury prevention program and their perceived role in injury prevention in clinical practice. Their unique perspectives represent an important aspect of program evaluation that will aid in future improvements to the FIFA 11+ injury prevention program and to understanding how best to assist physiotherapists in promoting health and well-being more generally.
Methods: A qualitative study using semi-structured telephone interviews was conducted with eleven participants trained in the FIFA 11+. Participants were recruited by email from a pool of 150 eligible participants through Bone and Joint Canada who were registered physiotherapists, athletic therapists, kinesiologists, or chiropractors who have participated in the FIFA 11+ training session within the last 2 years and work in Ontario. The research team recruited potential participants via email using a purposive sampling technique. Interviews were digitally audiotaped and transcribed verbatim.
Results: Our analysis revealed that healthcare professionals value the FIFA 11+ injury prevention program and resources available when disseminating messages about injury prevention to coaches and athletes. To maximize program benefits, they expressed a need to tailor the FIFA 11+ program to the needs of each individual player. The FIFA 11+ program has reinforced the importance of individualized programming in clinical practice as participants have begun the performance of baseline functional assessments and educational sessions targeted at primary injury prevention following their FIFA 11+ training.
Conclusion(s): To effectively reduce the incidence of soccer injuries, physiotherapists trained in the FIFA 11+ stressed the importance of tailoring the program to the unique capabilities of each individual player. The current study also highlights incidences in which physiotherapists have expanded their role in injury prevention initiatives following their training in the FIFA 11+.
Implications: Collaboration between physiotherapists, coaches, and players is necessary to maximize the potential benefits of an injury prevention program such as the FIFA 11+. Future research should examine how physiotherapists can start to place greater emphasis on primary prevention as well as how national associations and legislation can assist them in primary prevention roles.
Funding acknowledgements: This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Topic: Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing
Ethics approval: Ethics approval given by the University of Toronto Health Sciences Research Ethics Board.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
