Benefits and Barriers Associated with Intention to Participate in Injury Prevention Programs in ROTC Cadets

Abstract

Background: There is a lack of participation in Exercise-Related Injury Prevention Programs (ERIPPs) within Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) which limits the effectiveness. Identification of factors which may influence participation in ERIPPs within ROTC cadets is an important first step in improving adoption and adherence rates. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to identify factors associated with intention to participate in an ERIPP within ROTC cadets. Methods: The study design was cross-sectional where a paper survey was distributed in spring 2019. Twenty-eight (M/F=23/5; Age=20.68±2.02years; Height=175.78±8.95cm; Mass=75.30±11.10kg) ROTC cadets volunteered to participate in this study. Participants completed the Health Belief Model Scale (HBMS) and Theory of Planned Behavior Scale (TPBS) to assess attitudes towards participation in ERIPPs. A backwards multiple linear regression was used to determine if associations between attitudes towards ERIPP participation and intention to participate existed. Partial eta squared was calculated for each significant variable to determine the strength of the association and alpha was set at P≤0.05 for all analyses.Results: Perceived benefits (B=4.364, ƞ2=0.68, p<0.001) had a positive and large association with intention to participate while perceived barriers (B=-2.43, ƞ2=0.40, p<0.001) had a negative and large association with intention to participate. There were no other statistically significant associations (p>0.05).Conclusion: Perceived benefits and barriers were significantly associated with intention to participate in ERIPPs within ROTC cadets. Implementation strategies for ERIPPs may need to focus on the benefits and barriers of participating in an ERIPP to increase adoption and adherence.