Tackling risky alcohol consumption in sport: a cluster randomised controlled trial of an alcohol management intervention with community football clubs

Abstract

BackgroundAn increased prevalence of risky alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm has been reported for members of sporting groups and at sporting venues compared with non-sporting populations. While sports clubs and venues represent opportune settings to implement strategies to reduce such risks, no controlled trials have been reported. The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of an alcohol management intervention in reducing risky alcohol consumption and the risk of alcohol-related harm among community football club members.MethodA cluster randomised controlled trial of an alcohol management intervention was undertaken with non-elite, community football clubs and their members in New South Wales, Australia. Risky alcohol consumption (5+ drinks) at the club and risk of alcohol-related harm using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) were measured at baseline and postintervention.ResultsEighty-eight clubs participated in the trial (n=43, Intervention; n=45, Control) and separate cross-sectional samples of club members completed the baseline (N=1411) and postintervention (N=1143) surveys. Postintervention, a significantly lower proportion of intervention club members reported: risky alcohol consumption at the club (Intervention: 19%; Control: 24%; OR: 0.63 (95% CI 0.40 to 1.00); p=0.05); risk of alcohol-related harm (Intervention: 38%; Control: 45%; OR: 0.58 (95% CI 0.38 to 0.87); p<0.01); alcohol consumption risk (Intervention: 47%; Control: 55%; OR: 0.60 (95% CI 0.41 to 0.87); p<0.01) and possible alcohol dependence (Intervention: 1%; Control: 4%; OR: 0.20 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.65); p<0.01).ConclusionsWith large numbers of people worldwide playing, watching and sports officiating, enhancing club-based alcohol management interventions could make a substantial contribution to reducing the burden of alcohol misuse in communities.Trial registration numberACTRN12609000224224.

Promotion of healthy eating in clubs with junior teams in Australia: A cross‐sectional study of club representatives and parents

“…Community sports clubs are an opportune setting for health promotion, as large numbers of children engage in organised sport each year in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and the UK . Additionally, as venues that sell food and beverages, sports clubs can contribute to population efforts to normalise healthy food intake.…”

“…Additionally, as venues that sell food and beverages, sports clubs can contribute to population efforts to normalise healthy food intake. Despite their potential to improve health, many sports clubs are not supportive of healthy eating behaviours . For example, existing studies suggest that after water, the most frequently sold items at junior sporting club canteens are chocolates, confectionaries and soft drinks, with only about 20% of clubs promoting healthy food at club canteens or kiosks …”

The impact of alcohol management practices on sports club membership and revenue

“…Unlike the Alice Springs initiative, where alcohol bans were put in place, the intervention trialled in this study improved alcohol management, 8 rather than prohibited alcohol use. Crundall suggested that improved alcohol management may in fact enhance club viability and increase club membership by creating safer and more family friendly environments, 6 an assertion, in part, supported by the follow-up findings of this study that a greater number of spectator attended games of intervention clubs.…”

“…8 The study employed a prospective, repeat cross-sectional, cluster randomised controlled trial design that allocated clubs either an alcohol accreditation intervention or a control. Data collectors, but not clubs or club members, were blind to group allocation.…”

The impact of an alcohol consumption intervention in community sports clubs on safety and participation: an RCT

“…The overall aim of the program is to implement evidence‐based alcohol management strategies to reduce the incidence of risky alcohol consumption within the sports club setting. A recent randomised control trial (RCT) of the program identified that the program reduced risky consumption by club members 23 . Implemented over a two‐year/season period, the trial identified that significantly ( p <0.05 ) fewer members in the intervention clubs (19%) reported drinking more than five standard drinks at least once a month at their club, compared to control clubs (24%).…”