707 EP042 – Factors to consider in the content, design, and delivery of sport-specific injury prevention program in Football

Background Football is a popular sport globally acknowledged for its high-stakes contribution to the sporting terrains. The significant physical, technical, and tactical demands involved in its performance evoke the need for research dedicated to injury prevention. The FIFA 11+ and the Prevent and Enhance Performance (PEP) Injury prevention programs have been designed to reduce the risk of injuries and are used globally. Research has shown that these programs are beneficial in reducing injury rates, emphasising the importance of continued use and improvement. Objective This research aimed to explore factors influencing the content, design, and delivery of sports-specific injury prevention programs in football through conducting semi-structured interviews with stakeholders. This study also aimed to inform future development of comprehensive injury prevention programs. Design This study employed a qualitative design, utilising semi-structured interviews based on the phenomenological worldview. A purposive sampling was used to recruit participants via poster distribution on social media platforms and gatekeepers at sportsclubs. Interviews were analysed using a thematic analysis framework. Setting Interviews were conducted through Microsoft Teams and were audio recorded and verbatim transcribed. Participants Six participants included were Stakeholders involved in injury prevention in Football in roles such as Physiotherapists, coaches, SNC, and sports players. Results The resulting themes included interpretations of injury prevention and the need for a standardised definition. One theme discussed strategies like warm-ups, MSK screening and load management. The central theme highlighted personalised protocols, periodisation, active recovery, and activity-specific warmups. Other themes underscored the importance of physical and psychological well-being, awareness and education, and communication. Conclusion Injury prevention necessitates a holistic approach, including managing physical and mental domains of injury risk factors. Findings from this study demonstrate the need to prioritise passive recovery techniques and activity-specific warmups pre/post-training, alongside personalised protocols, periodisation, and education in tailoring sports-specific injury prevention programs.