Effective Prevention of Sports Injuries: a Model integrating Efficacy, Efficiency, Compliance and Risk Taking Behaviour

Abstract

Van Mechelen et al (1992) published a “sequence of prevention model” based on a four step process. This model has been widely adopted to implement preventative measures in response to sports injuries. However, the execution of this model has been shown to lack the fidelity in determining how successful a preventative measure will prove. As a result, a modified model has been proposed that incorporates additional steps that enable external factors to be included that have a significant effect on the outcome of a prevention intervention. This expansion of Van Mechelen’s model leads to a more global model wherein the compliance level and risk taking behaviour of the individual and the assessment of efficiency of the stakeholders have key influence on the preventative measure. As a result, this model gives a better insight into the different interfering processes in injury prevention that can be used by clinicians, coaches or managers to decided whether to implement a preventative measure program.