Educational Framework for Coaches on Injury Prevention in Adolescent Team Sports

Abstract

Background: Millions of South African youths participate in team sports, with netball and rugby being two of the largest worldwide. This increased participation and professionalism has resulted in an increase in the number of musculoskeletal injuries. Objectives: This study examined the extent to which sport coaching knowledge translates to the injuries and prevention of injuries in adolescents participating in netball and rugby. Methods: Thirty-four South African sport coaches participated in the study. Eighteen netball coaches and 16 rugby coaches with varying levels of coaching experience were selected to participate. An adapted version of Nash and Sproule’s questionnaire was used to investigate the coaches’ knowledge with regards to sport specific common injuries, injury prevention, fitness/conditioning, individual technique development, training programs, mental training, and preparation of players. The analysis of data was carried out using a number of different techniques, outlined by Nash and Sproule (2012). These techniques were determined by the type of data. Descriptive data was used to provide statistical analysis. Quantitative data was used to determine the educational framework and knowledge of sport coaches on injury prevention. Numerical data was obtained through questions on sport injuries, as well as coaches’ sport knowledge level. Participants’ knowledge was measured using a standardized scoring system. Results: For the 0-4 years of netball coaching experience, 76.4% of the coaches had knowledge and experience and 33.3% appropriate first aid knowledge, while for the 9-12 years and 13-16 years, 100% of the coaches had knowledge and experience and first aid knowledge. For the 0 - 4 years in rugby coaching experience, 59.1% had knowledge and experience and 71% the appropriate first aid knowledge, for the 17 - 20 years 100% had knowledge and experience and first aid, while for higher or equal to 25 years, 45.5% had knowledge and experience. In netball, 90% of injuries consisted of ankle injuries, followed by 70% for knee, 50% for shoulder, 20% for lower leg, and 15% for finger injuries. In rugby, 81% of the injuries occurred at the knee, followed by 50% for shoulder, 40% for ankle, 31% for head and neck, and 25% for hamstring injuries. Six hours of training resulted in a 13% chance of injuries in netball and a 32% chance in rugby. For 10 hours of training, the injury prevalence was 10% in netball and 17% in rugby, while 15 hours resulted in an injury incidence of 58% in netball players and a 25% chance in rugby players. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for coaches to improve their knowledge in relation to injuries and injury prevention, along with factors that act as a preventative measure and promote players’ well-being.

Fitness Trainers’ Educational Qualification and Experience and Its Association with Their Trainees’ Musculoskeletal Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The present study suggests that the trainees who worked out under the experienced trainers experienced less pain than the trainees with the less experienced trainers. This finding is in line with previous research, demonstrating that personal trainers, sports coaches, and strength and conditioning coaches' knowledge of injury management plays a vital role in the prevention of injuries [7,11,21,22], which otherwise could, in turn, lead to developing musculoskeletal pain. Another study observed a significant association between the prevalence of injury and a lack of supervision [23].…”

“…Another study observed a significant association between the prevalence of injury and a lack of supervision [23]. An explanation for this result could be that experienced and qualified trainers may have basic knowledge about injury prevention, injury management, and exercise prescription, which could help in the safety of their trainees while they are working out [11] Personal trainers, sports coaches, and strength and conditioning coaches' knowledge of injury management plays a vital role in injury prevention [7,11,21,22]. A significant association was observed between the prevalence of an injury and a lack of supervision, and the prevalence of injury and training multiple times in a day [23].…”

“…Sports coaching knowledge helps to translate into the prevention of injury among adolescents who are practicing netball and rugby, according to the literature. Coaches play a vital role in musculoskeletal injury prevention, as they have advanced knowledge regarding sports-specific injuries and fitness/conditioning, and they develop individual techniques to enhance the talent of their players [21]. Inappropriate training programs and a rapid raise in training intensity are more likely to cause musculoskeletal injuries [24].…”

More than rugby: A scoping review of coaches in rugby

“…Forty-four of these studies reported male coaches (n = 44), 36,46,50,51,53,56,62,66–68,71,73,76,80,89,92–97,99–101,103–105,107–110,112,115,117–121,123–126,128 only three (n = 3) studies reported female coaches and 18 studies (n = 18) reported both male and female coaches in their studies. 29,32,35,38,39,55,57,58,60,65,70,72,84,87,90,113,114,130 Most of the studies focused on coaches within rugby union (n = 80, 76%) 18,29…”

“…41 Gouws et al found that 81% of coaches thought knee injuries were the most prominent injuries in rugby. 46 Coaches' concussion knowledge. Thirteen studies investigated coaches' concussion knowledge (n = 13).…”