Implementing sports injury prevention programmes during and beyond effectiveness trials: a mixed methodologies study

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Public Health
• Implementation Science

Background:

• A gap exists between controlled trials of injury prevention programs and their real-world application.
• Implementation research aims to facilitate the adoption of evidence-based programs beyond research settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore implementation processes and influencing factors during and after injury prevention program effectiveness trials.
• To examine strategies used for scaling up these programs following trials.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods design was employed, contacting authors of published injury prevention trials.
• A survey assessed implementation activities during trials and scale-up, followed by semi-structured interviews with a subsample of respondents.
• 107 studies were identified, with 39 authors completing the survey and nine participating in interviews.

Main Results:

• Implementation strategies like in-person training and staff education were common but often underreported in publications.
• Only about one-third of studies successfully scaled up beyond the trial context.
• Facilitators and barriers included program context, motivation, organizational support, structured development, researcher involvement, limited resources, and external momentum.

Conclusions:

• Implementation factors must be considered throughout the development and evaluation phases of injury prevention programs to enhance uptake.
• Systematic reporting and assessment of implementation facilitators, barriers, and strategies are crucial for translating research into practice.