Background Musculoskeletal injuries in the lower limbs are common in pivoting team sports such as field hockey. Consequently, the Royal Dutch Hockey Federation (KNHB) aims to prevent the occurrence of these injuries among hockey players.

Objective To develop an evidence-based intervention to prevent musculoskeletal injuries in the lower limbs among youth/adult hockey players and to explore its feasibility and limited efficacy.

Design The KNHB intervention was developed in accordance to a scientific framework (Intervention Mapping). Then, a pilot-implementation based on a single-group repeated-measures design was conducted.

Setting Royal Dutch Hockey Federation (KNHB).

Patients (or Participants) A total of 168 hockey coaches/trainers were enrolled in a pilot-implementation of 12 weeks.

Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors) The KNHB intervention was developed according to (i) scientific literature, (ii) view of experts in hockey and injury prevention, and (iii) needs of hockey players and hockey coaches/trainers. The KNHB intervention is an age- and gender-specific warming-up programme involving more than 50 exercises divided in three phases of 4–5 minutes (preparation, motor skills, hockey skills). The KNHB intervention is available through a website and an application for smartphone/tablet in which all exercises are described with texts, pictures and video's.

Main Outcome Measurements Use/feasibility of the KNHB intervention as well as level of knowledge and skills of hockey coaches/trainers about injury prevention and the KNHB intervention (Visual Analogue Scale).

Results The KNHB intervention was positively evaluated, while more than 80% of the hockey coaches/trainers thought that the website and application for smartphone/table were of added value. Calculated effect size (d=0,23 between T0 and T1; d=0,34 between T0 and T2) showed a moderate effect on level of knowledge and skills of hockey coaches/trainers.

Conclusions The KNHB intervention is feasible and leads to more knowledge and skills among hockey coaches/trainers. Its effect on injuries needs to be evaluated.