There is low adoption of injury prevention programs in community netball

Abstract

Although neuromuscular injury prevention programs decrease injuries, implementation is challenging. Netball Australia developed the Netball KNEE program – a netball-specific warm-up program designed for netball coaches, players and support staff to enhance movement efficiency and prevent injury. It contains exercises for warm-up/footwork, strength, balance/landing and agility. This study aimed to explore the Reach, perceived Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and intended Maintenance of the Netball KNEE program in community netball. Community netball coaches ( n = 257) from 52 community netball clubs completed an online survey on their familiarity with the KNEE program (Reach), satisfaction and perceived effectiveness (Effectiveness), use of the program in training (Adoption), use of specific program components and provision of feedback (Implementation) and intended future use of the program (Maintenance). 66.5% of coaches who responded to the survey were familiar with the KNEE program (Reach), and 43.0% of coaches reported using the program weekly (Adoption). Most coaches who were familiar with the program were satisfied with it (87.2%) and perceived it to be effective in reducing injuries (77.0%) (perceived Effectiveness). Only 58.7% of the 155 of coaches who adopted the program reported using all activity categories (warm up/footwork, strength, balance/landing and agility) (Implementation). Warm up/footwork activities were reported to be used most commonly (by 99.4% of coaches). Reported provision of feedback on program key principles (e.g., take off, landing, deceleration, changing direction) was variable (54.2%–97.4%) (Implementation). Study findings suggest the need for strategies to improve the reach, adoption and implementation of the KNEE program in community netball.