MAP for Coaches Training for Sports Injury Prevention

(MAP Trial)

Overseen By Olu Owoeye, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: St. Louis University

Disqualifiers: Adult coaching, No email, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

200 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the effectiveness of the MAP for Coaches, a web-based Musculoskeletal Athletic injury Prevention training course, in youth sport coaches. The main question it aims to answer are: * Is the MAP for Coaches effective in increasing coaches' sport-specific knowledge of musculoskeletal injuries (types, incidence, risk factors, mechanisms, and best prevention practices, with focus on neuromuscular training warm-up exercise programs)? * Is the MAP for Coaches effective in increasing coaches' motivation (self-efficacy and intention) to use sport-specific neuromuscular training warm-up exercise programs? The additional questions it aims to answer are: * Are the effects of the MAP for Coaches sustained in the short- and long-term? * Is the MAP for Coaches effective in promoting the use of sport-specific neuromuscular training warm-up exercise programs in youth sport coaches? Regardless of group, participants will receive the MAP for Coaches eLearning training course; however, the participants allocated to the control group will have their post-test survey completed right after they review the sport-specific 2-page injury prevention e-book containing an overview of the MAP for Coaches training course, including an infographic summary (Summarized MAP for Coaches eLearning Training Course). The intervention group will complete the post-test survey after the full training including both the course summary and the detailed course modules (the full training). The investigators will compare the two groups to see if an exposure to the (Full) MAP for Coaches eLearning Training Course improves study outcomes compared with the control group.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the MAP for Coaches treatment for sports injury prevention?

Research on similar training programs, like NetballSmart and SoccerSmart, shows that integrating injury prevention into coach education can be effective. Coaches who attended these courses reported changing their coaching methods and incorporating injury prevention practices, which suggests that such training can help reduce the risk of injuries in sports. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is the MAP for Coaches training course unique compared to other sports injury prevention treatments?

The MAP for Coaches training course is unique because it focuses on educating coaches to integrate injury prevention strategies into their coaching practices, which can lead to significant changes in how they train athletes, such as improving warm-up routines and technique. This approach empowers coaches to directly influence player safety, making it a proactive and educational method rather than a direct medical intervention. ^{1 3 5 6 7}

Research Team

Olu Owoeye, PhD

Principal Investigator

St. Louis University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for active youth sport coaches in Missouri who coach soccer, basketball, football, or volleyball. They must be part of a youth sports organization and have an email address. Coaches involved with adult teams are not eligible.

Inclusion Criteria

Active and ongoing engagement in team youth sport coaching

Member of a youth sport organization in Missouri

Must be a team sport coach for one of the following: soccer, basketball, football, or volleyball

Exclusion Criteria

Additional engagement in adult coaching

No email address contact

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Training

Participants receive the MAP for Coaches eLearning training course, with the intervention group completing the full training and the control group completing a summarized version.

Immediate

Online training session

Post-Training Assessment

Participants complete post-test surveys to assess changes in knowledge, self-efficacy, and intention immediately after training.

Immediate

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for long-term changes in knowledge and adherence to neuromuscular training warm-up exercises.

6 months

Extended Follow-up

Participants' sustained adherence to neuromuscular training warm-up exercises is assessed.

12 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• MAP for Coaches
• MAP for Coaches - Complete Course
• Map for Coaches - Overview

Trial Overview The study tests the MAP for Coaches program's effectiveness on increasing knowledge and motivation to use injury prevention exercises among youth sport coaches. It compares a full eLearning course against just an overview provided in an ebook.

Participant Groups

Group I: Full MAP for Coaches eLearning Training Course Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Summarized MAP for Coaches eLearning Training Course Active Control 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

St. Louis University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

197

Recruited

41,400+

Findings from Research

A study involving 196 stakeholders from community youth handball clubs identified key facilitators for implementing injury prevention training, emphasizing the importance of understanding and applying knowledge as the most critical factor.

The research highlighted 32 statements that were both highly important and feasible for implementation, suggesting that collaboration among players, coaches, and policymakers is essential to effectively integrate injury prevention strategies into regular training routines.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Facilitators to support the implementation of injury prevention training in youth handball: A concept mapping approach. Ageberg, E., Bunke, S., Lucander, K., et al.[2020]

The Athletic Injury Database (AID) successfully documented 6237 sideline encounters over 2 years, primarily involving football, soccer, and basketball athletes, with knee and ankle injuries being the most common.

A significant 77% of sports medicine providers reported satisfaction with the AID, indicating its effectiveness in improving the documentation of care for athletes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Novel Mobile Device-Based Tool to Document Sideline Evaluation of Athletes. Apple, RP., Karpinos, AR., Bellamy, DM.[2019]

The ACTive program significantly improved knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy regarding sports concussion prevention and management among 75 youth sports coaches in a randomized control trial.

This interactive e-learning approach demonstrates effectiveness in training coaches, who play a crucial role in reducing concussion risks for youth athletes aged 10-18.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Online training in sports concussion for youth sports coaches. Glang, A., Koester, MC., Beaver, SV., et al.[2022]

A retrospective analysis of a university-sponsored sport camp program from 2008 to 2011 revealed that 9.9% of injuries and illnesses among youth athletes aged 10 to 17 required medical referrals, highlighting the need for effective injury management in sports camps.

Rugby had the highest referral rate at 5.0 per 100 participants, indicating that certain sports may pose greater risks, which can help inform safety measures and medical preparedness for future camps.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Injury/illness physician referral profile from a youth university-sponsored summer sport camp program. Oller, DM., Vairo, GL., Sebastianelli, WJ., et al.[2013]

A study evaluating the NetballSmart and SoccerSmart injury prevention programs found that a high percentage of coaches (89% for Netball and 96% for Soccer) changed their coaching methods after attending the courses, indicating effective integration of injury prevention strategies.

Coaches reported significant changes in practices related to warm-up, technique, fitness, and nutrition, suggesting that incorporating injury prevention into coach education can effectively reduce injury risks for players.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of injury prevention related coach education within netball and soccer. Gianotti, S., Hume, PA., Tunstall, H.[2019]

A study involving coaches from nine Sydney Australian Football League teams revealed that while coaches recognize the importance of warming up and cooling down for injury prevention, they undervalue critical training elements like balance training and drills that could help prevent lower limb injuries.

Direct observations of training sessions confirmed that coaches prioritize game-related skills over injury prevention techniques, indicating a gap between scientific evidence on injury prevention and actual coaching practices.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Preventing lower limb injuries: is the latest evidence being translated into the football field? Twomey, D., Finch, C., Roediger, E., et al.[2022]

A survey of 766 sports medicine professionals in Western Europe revealed that while 91% recognize the importance of injury prevention, only 54% are aware of specific injury prevention programs, indicating a significant knowledge gap.

French-speaking professionals reported lower awareness and engagement in injury prevention compared to their German-speaking counterparts, highlighting the need for targeted educational efforts to improve understanding and implementation of injury prevention strategies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The awareness of injury prevention programmes is insufficient among French- and German-speaking sports medicine communities in Europe. Tischer, T., Martens, G., Cabri, J., et al.[2023]

References

1. Denmark pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Facilitators to support the implementation of injury prevention training in youth handball: A concept mapping approach. [2020]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Novel Mobile Device-Based Tool to Document Sideline Evaluation of Athletes. [2019]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Online training in sports concussion for youth sports coaches. [2022]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Injury/illness physician referral profile from a youth university-sponsored summer sport camp program. [2013]

5. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of injury prevention related coach education within netball and soccer. [2019]

6. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Preventing lower limb injuries: is the latest evidence being translated into the football field? [2022]

7. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The awareness of injury prevention programmes is insufficient among French- and German-speaking sports medicine communities in Europe. [2023]