#Utviklingsklar: a club-based intervention to develop plans and practices for injury prevention in youth sport—acceptability, practicality, possibilities and challenges among club leaders, coaches and workshop leaders

Abstract

Effective youth sport injury interventions exist, but their use in applied settings is limited by low coach adherence and lack of contextual adaptation. To address this, the #Utviklingsklar intervention was developed, a club-based intervention for youth handball and football, based on interdisciplinary programme theory and collaboration with sport organisation partners and user groups (club leaders, coaches, parents, players). The intervention supports coaches and club leaders in developing team-specific plans to improve injury-preventive practices for warm-up, strength training and pain and injury management. This qualitative feasibility study, based on observation and interview data, examines the acceptability, practicality, possibilities and challenges of #Utviklingsklar’s e-learning and workshop activities. Three workshops led by physiotherapists were observed, involving 23 participants (17 coaches, three club leaders and three workshop leaders). Subsequently, 15 participants consented to be interviewed, comprising 10 coaches, two club leaders and three workshop leaders. Data were analysed using deductive thematic analysis principles. The e-learning was found to be user-friendly, accessible and relevant, while the workshop was valued for fostering discussions and collaboration around team-specific injury prevention plans and practices. However, some coaches sought more tailored content (ie, topics related to their own specific training sessions and players), and workshop leaders expressed a need for additional preparation and practice time to feel confident in their roles. Improved communication of #Utviklingsklar’s flexible approach, along with enhanced preparation and practice for workshop leaders in supporting coaches’ and club leaders’ development of team-specific plans and practices, is needed to enhance understanding and engagement across clubs.