AWARENESS AND USE OF CURRENT SPORTS INJURY PREVENTION PROGRAMS AMONG PHYSIOTHERAPISTS WORLDWIDE

Abstract

Purpose. Physiotherapists are trained to prevent, assess, and rehabilitate all kinds of injuries including sports injury. The goal of the physical physiotherapist should be making sure that the athlete is in optimal shape to perform, with a minimal risk for developing an injury. This study aims to assess the physiotherapists’ awareness, implementation, and views of sports injury prevention programs (IPPs) from an international perspective. Materials and methods. A self-administered questionnaire was developed and distributed to physiotherapists worldwide through World Physiotherapy member organizations. The study targeted physiotherapists at an international level. The study included 484 participants, of whom 44.4% were male and 55.6% were female physiotherapists. Results. A total of 287 (59.3%) of the participants were aware of the current sports IPPs, 177 (36.6%) were implementing sports IPPs in their current practice. Participants who implemented the sports IPPs reported a positive opinion about the program efficacy, with a score of 7.3 ± 2.11 out of 10. Conclusions. Globally, physiotherapists have average awareness and low implementation levels of IPPs. Physiotherapists showed a positive score regarding the effectiveness of IPPS, especially the KIPP and the iSPRINT.