RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 What do community football players think about different exercise-training programmes? Implications for the delivery of lower limb injury prevention programmes
JF British Journal of Sports Medicine
JO Br J Sports Med
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine
SP 702
OP 707
DO 10.1136/bjsports-2013-092816
VO 48
IS 8
A1 Caroline F Finch
A1 Tim LA Doyle
A1 Alasdair R Dempsey
A1 Bruce C Elliott
A1 Dara M Twomey
A1 Peta E White
A1 Kathy Diamantopoulou
A1 Warren Young
A1 David G Lloyd
YR 2014
UL http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/48/8/702.abstract
AB Background Players are the targeted end-users and beneficiaries of exercise-training programmes implemented during coach-led training sessions, and the success of programmes depends upon their active participation. Two variants of an exercise-training programme were incorporated into the regular training schedules of 40 community Australian Football teams, over two seasons. One variant replicated common training practices, while the second was an evidence-based programme to alter biomechanical and neuromuscular factors related to risk of knee injuries. This paper describes the structure of the implemented programmes and compares players’ end-of-season views about the programme variants. Methods This study was nested within a larger group-clustered randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of two exercise-training programmes (control and neuromuscular control (NMC)) for preventing knee injuries. A post-season self-report survey, derived from Health Belief Model constructs, included questions to obtain players’ views about the benefits and physical challenges of the programme in which they participated. Results Compared with control players, those who participated in the NMC programme found it to be less physically challenging but more enjoyable and potentially of more benefit. Suggestions from players about potential improvements to the training programme and its future implementation included reducing duration, increasing range of drills/exercises and promoting its injury prevention and other benefits to players. Conclusions Players provide valuable feedback about the content and focus of implemented exercise-training programmes, that will directly inform the delivery of similar, or more successful, programmes in the future.