‘How’ a multidisciplinary team worked effectively to reduce injury in a professional sport environment - Pre-Print

Abstract

In professional team sport, managing injury risk depends on the effective collaboration of technical/tactical coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, sports medicine practitioners and sport scientists within a multidisciplinary team (MDT). Yet, to date no research has examined how these professionals might co-ordinate their efforts. The aim of this study is to examine the processes and interactions utilized by a demonstrably effective MDT. The efficacy of the MDT was established by quantifying the injury burden of the team across two seasons. The MDT achieved a 60% reduction in team injury burden during the second season (first season 516, 95%CI 491 to 542 vs. second season 205, 95%CI 191 to 219 days/1000 hours). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with all MDT members to determine each individual’s role within the injury prevention process and how these were co-ordinated between disciplines. Thematic analysis identified three key constructs that contributed to the MDT’s success; 1) shared values, 2) expertise and 3) the effective operationalization of underpinning values and expertise. Shared values expressed by the MDT members included ‘future performance is driven by healthy performers’, and shared responsibility for injury prevention. All MDT members were experts in their own fields but identified that they had to learn how to be effective within the environment and required skill in building interpersonal relationships. The operationalisation of these principles took place through iterative plan-do-review cycles underpinned by sophisticated data collection and monitoring and the provision of time and resource to complete these operations. This research offers insights into “how” effective MDTs work to achieve injury reduction, and the models and processes presented will inform practice for other MDTs working in sport.

Developing motor competency in youths: Perceptions and practices of strength and conditioning coaches

“…Second, perceived importance could be related to other coaches' practices within a multi-disciplinary team. For example, research involving a sports-based multi-disciplinary team suggests that operational monitoring (i.e., monitoring day to day processes), and reflections of observations could influence decision-making related to injury prevention (Tee & Rongen, 2020). Specifically, these observations may change the focus of subsequent training sessions.…”

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“…Whilst confidence was not directly measured, it indicates that some teams may not have been wholly satisfied that the first aider knew about the game and common injuries in BAF. Research suggests that effective teams work in a multidisciplinary manner, using open communication and having clearly defined roles [47]. Teams without a clear and consistent medical provision plan cannot hope to manage player welfare and are unlikely able to build an effective performance environment [39,48,49].…”