High School Basketball Coach and Player Perspectives on Warm-Up Routines and Lower Extremity Injuries

Abstract

Background While participation in sports-related activities results in improved health outcomes, high school athletes are at risk for lower extremity injuries, especially ankle, knee, and thigh injuries. Efforts to promote the adoption and implementation of evidence-driven approaches to reduce injury risk among school-aged athletes are needed. However, there is limited research regarding the perceived barriers, facilitators, and adherence factors that may influence the successful implementation of effective warm-up routines among this population. Methods We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews and focus groups to assess high school basketball coach and player current practices, knowledge, and perspectives about warm-ups and lower-extremity injuries (LEIs). We interviewed coaches (n = 12) and players (n = 30) from May to October 2019. Participants were recruited from public high schools in a joint school district in Southern California. Multiple coders employed thematic analysis of the data using validated methods. Results Coaches and players reported regular engagement (e.g., daily) in warm-up routines, but the time dedicated (range 5–45 min), types of exercises, and order varied substantially. Players often co-lead the warm-up practice with the coach or assistant coach. Despite regular engagement in warm-up, players and coaches report multiple challenges, including (1) limited time and space to warm-up effectively at games, (2) a perception that young players are not prone to injury, (3) competing demands for coaches’ time during practice, and (4) coaches’ lack of knowledge. Coaches and players perceive that warming up before practice will result in fewer injuries, and many players are motivated to warm up as a result of their personal injury experience; however, they desire guidance on the ideal exercises for preventing injury and training on the proper form for each exercise. Conclusions Regular involvement in basketball warm-up routines is common among high school teams, but the methods and time dedicated to these practices varied. Players and coaches are eager for more information on warm-up programs shown to reduce LEIs.

Injury surveillance in English youth basketball: A 5-season cohort study to inform injury prevention strategies

“…However, such interventions have been blighted by poor adherence and inadequate exercise fidelity (performing exercises competently) in youth basketball teams . Successful implementation is complex, but is influenced by end-users (coaches, medical professionals and athletes) perceptions, behaviour determinants and perceived contextual barriers (Munoz-Plaza et al, 2021;Raisanen et al, 2021;Verhagen et al, 2010). These remain unexplored in English youth basketball and a unique opportunity exists to investigate these behavioural determinants prior to engaging end-users to develop context-specific injury prevention strategies.…”

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

“…O'Brien and Finch 41 did not separate responses according to participant role; therefore, the views of fitness coaches and physiotherapists were included in the results. All 19 groups evaluated knowledge and beliefs, and 13 groups 27,28,40,[46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55] evaluated environmental context and resources.…”

“…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,[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. 27,47 The studies and study characteristics are described in Table 3.…”