Background The FIFA 11+ warm-up program can significantly reduce injury risk in youth soccer, but community uptake of the program has been suboptimal. A health behaviour theory, the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model, may identify predictors of program uptake that can inform targeted promotion strategies.

Objective To determine whether HAPA constructs (risk perceptions, outcome expectancies, self-efficacy, action and coping plans, facilitators and barriers) predict uptake intention and adherence to the FIFA 11+ in elite female youth soccer.

Design Sub-analysis of data from a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Setting Elite (Tier 1 and 2) female soccer teams (ages 12–16) competing in Calgary, Canada.

Participants 12 teams (coaches n=12, players n=200) who were randomly recruited prior to the 2013 season as wave 1 of the larger trial.

Risk factor assessment Participants completed a baseline questionnaire assessing risk perceptions, outcome expectancies and self-efficacy associated with the FIFA 11+, and barriers/facilitators to program use.

Main outcome measurements Intention to follow the FIFA 11+ (from the HAPA questionnaire) and prospectively reported adherence during the season.

Results Preliminary analyses demonstrate that for coaches, risk perceptions, outcome expectancies, and task self-efficacy accounted for 92.7% of uptake intention variance [F(3,3)=12.71, P=.0327, R²=0.9271]. The most commonly identified facilitator was access to FIFA 11+ materials (videos, manuals). The largest barrier was not having enough time to complete the program. For players, the HAPA model accounted for only 41.4% of intention variance [F(7, 154)=15.53, P<.001, R²=0.4139]. Identified facilitators included having adequate time, personal effort, and enjoying the program. Barriers included poor team leadership, uncooperative teammates, and lack of time. Relationships between HAPA constructs and adherence will also be presented.

Conclusions The HAPA model appears to strongly predict coach, but not player, intentions to uptake the FIFA 11+. The development of role-targeted promotion strategies may improve program uptake.