Grass-Root Coaches Knowledge, Understanding, Attitude And Confidence to Deliver Injury Prevention Training in Youth Soccer: a Comparison of Coaches in Three EU Countries

Abstract

Purpose It is well recognised that injury prevention training can reduce injury incidence, however current coach education pathways do not provide grass-root coaches with the knowledge and confidence to deliver such training to youth players. The aim of this study was to explore differences in knowledge, understanding, attitude and confidence to deliver such injury prevention training in three European countries. Methods A total of 269 grass-root soccer coaches from 3 European countries (Czech Republic, UK, Spain) were recruited for this study. A validated questionnaire exploring knowledge, understanding, attitude towards and confidence to deliver youth injury prevention training was completed prior to a 2 h workshop on injury prevention training. Differences between countries was examined using Bayesian factors to quantify the evidence for and against the hypothesis of independence (H 0) by assuming a Poisson sampling scheme (as there was no a priori restriction on any cell count, nor on the grand total) (BF 10 Poisson). Results Current knowledge, attitude and confidence to deliver injury prevention training to youth players was poor across all three European countries. Relatively few coaches were currently using injury prevention training in their coaching sessions (23%). There were some country specific differences for attitude towards injury prevention training and confidence to deliver injury training, with Spanish coaches reporting a more positive attitude and confidence to deliver such training. Significantly fewer coaches in the UK were using injury prevention training compared to coaches in Spain and the Czech Republic. Conclusion As coaches identified a need for coach education and few were delivering injury prevention training, there is a clear need to embed and implement this programme into the grassroots coaching framework of sports governing bodies to improve adoption, implementation and maintenance.

Understanding Youth Sport Coaches' Perceptions of Evidence-Based Injury-Prevention Training Programs: A Systematic Literature Review

“…In 11 studies, researchers assessed knowledge or beliefs regarding general ACL injury-prevention programming*; in 5, they asked specifically about the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) 11þ 39,41,48,49,55 ; and in 3, they considered other injury-prevention training programs (ie, Activate, 60 Knee Control, 50 and Knokl for dit knae 40 ). A behavioral theory (Health Belief Model 40,41,46,50,58 [n ¼ 5]; Theory of Planned Behavior/Reasoned Action 28,39,57,58 27,28,39,41,[46][47][48][49][50][51][52][54][55][56][57][58] Thirteen studies were conducted outside the United States. [39][40][41][47][48][49][50][51][54][55][56]59,60 Of the 6 studies conducted within the United States, 4 examined high school alone…”

“…A behavioral theory (Health Belief Model 40,41,46,50,58 [n ¼ 5]; Theory of Planned Behavior/Reasoned Action 28,39,57,58 27,28,39,41,[46][47][48][49][50][51][52][54][55][56][57][58] Thirteen studies were conducted outside the United States. [39][40][41][47][48][49][50][51][54][55][56]59,60 Of the 6 studies conducted within the United States, 4 examined high school alone 28,46,52,57 ; 1 examined solely club (U9-U19) 58 ; and 1 looked at club, high school, and collegiate (U12-college age) athletes. 27 In many studies (13), the knowledge, beliefs, or contextual perspectives of coaches engaged in independently organized sport were evaluated.…”

“…27 In many studies (13), the knowledge, beliefs, or contextual perspectives of coaches engaged in independently organized sport were evaluated. 27,[39][40][41][47][48][49][50][51][54][55][56]58 Nearly half (n ¼ 8) examined schoolorganized athletics. 27,28,46,47,52,57,59,60 Two included coaches from both settings.…”

“…Specifically, they lacked knowledge of the TDF constructs of knowledge of condition or scientific rationale and procedural knowledge (see Table 2). Findings in the construct of knowledge of condition or scientific rationale included a lack of knowledge about knee injuries or injury prevention 39,46,50,51,54,56,58 and the existence of injury-prevention training programs. 28,40,49,55,56 Findings in the construct of procedural knowledge included a lack of knowledge about appropriate exercises to include 47,49,52,54,59 and implementation of injury-prevention training programs.…”

Editorial

“…Notwithstanding the obvious focus directly on the young athletes themselves, it is also important to consider the role and potential influence of significant others to the development process for young athletes. To this extent, Hill et al provide original insights into coaches' evaluations of match performance in academy soccer players before, during and after the adolescent growth spurt [6], while De Ste Croix et al report on the differences in knowledge and understanding, attitude and confidence of coaches to deliver injury prevention training in a sample of three European countries [3].…”