Abstract
To provide consensus on how to plan, organize and implement exercise-based injury prevention program (IPP) in sports.
Delphi.
LimeSurvey platform.
Experienced sports physical therapists from the International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy member countries.
Factors related to sports IPP planning, organization and implementation.
We included 305 participants from 32 countries. IPP planning should be based on an athlete's injury history, on pre-season screening results, and on injury rates (respectively, 98%, 92%, 89% agreement). In total 97% participants agreed that IPP organization should depend on the athlete's age, 93% on the competition level, and 93% on the availability of low-cost materials. It was agreed that IPP should mainly be implemented in warm-up sessions delivered by the head or strength/conditioning coach, with physical training sessions and individual physical therapy sessions (respectively, 94%, 92%, 90% agreement).
Strong consensus was reached on (1) IPP based on the athlete's injury history, pre-season screening and evidence-based sports-specific injury rates; (2) IPP organization based on the athlete's age, competition level, and the availability of low-cost materials and (3) IPP implementation focussing on warm-up sessions implemented by the strength/conditioning coach, and/or individual prevention sessions by the physical therapist.
•IPP structuring involve injury rates, history and screening outcome as main factors.•IPP organization involve injury risk profile, low-cost material and financial resources.•IPP implementation is delivered mainly by warm-up or physical therapy sessions.•Coach's support, athlete's routine and the work environment are considered for implementation.