Background Recent published studies on injury prevention exercise programmes (IPEPs) in team ball sports support the protective effect of these interventions, but also highlight that achieving adequate compliance is challenging. A key process in enhancing the ultimate impact of team ball sport IPEPs is identifying the specific implementation components which influence their adoption, execution and maintenance.

Objectives To assess the reporting of specific implementation components in team ball sport IPEP trials, against the components of the Reach Efficacy Adoption Implementation Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework. To evaluate the applicability of the RE-AIM framework to reviewing published literature in this context.

Methods 6 electronic databases were systematically searched from inception to December 2012 for papers reporting team ball sport IPEP trials. All eligible papers were evaluated for the reporting of individual RE-AIM components using the RE-AIM Model Dimension Items Checklist (RE-AIM MDIC). The level of agreement and the process of reaching consensus between reviewers were recorded.

Results A total of 60 papers, reporting 52 unique intervention trials, met eligibility criteria. On average, the individual RE-AIM items were reported in 22% of the 52 trials (range 0–100%). The RE-AIM MDIC dimension of Efficacy had the highest mean percentage (58%) level of reporting across trials. The lowest mean percentages (range 0–7%) were for the RE-AIM MDIC dimensions related to Adoption and Maintenance. The level of agreement across all trials between reviewers using the RE-AIM MDIC ranged from 81% to 91%.

Conclusion Information on the specific implementation components of team ball sport IPEPs in published studies is scarce. In particular, major knowledge gaps exist regarding the adoption and maintenance of these programmes. The RE-AIM MDIC can be successfully applied to reviewing literature in this context.