Bridging gaps in injury prevention: Insights from Luxembourg’s sports stakeholders. A qualitative research analysis

Research Question : This study explores perceptions of sports injuries and their prevention among key stakeholders in Luxembourg's sports community, aiming to identify needs, barriers, and facilitators for implementing preventive measures and programs.
Methodology : Semi-structured interviews (45 minutes each) were conducted with eight stakeholders: two athletes, two coaches, two healthcare professionals, and two representatives of Luxembourg’s sports organizations. Topics included personal experiences with injuries, injury management, views on prevention, and expectations for improving prevention strategies. Transcriptions were analysed using grounded theory, with iterative data collection and analysis to extract key themes and concepts related to injuries and prevention.
Results : Participants primarily associated sports injuries with the inability to train at full capacity. Pain, while common, was not always associated with injury; athletes often viewed pain as intrinsic to sports and developed coping mechanisms. Coaches and healthcare professionals linked injury prevention to performance, while athletes generally followed preventive measures under professional guidance but did not perceive immediate benefits or the effectiveness of prevention. Representatives from sports organizations pointed out that the term 'prevention' is too often associated with injuries, which is problematic, as the main goal is precisely to reduce them. They emphasized the need for a broader approach that not only reduces injuries but also promotes overall health and performance.
Barriers to prevention included time constraints, limited resources, fatigue from exercises, lack of pleasure, and the perception that preventive routines were disconnected from sports-specific needs. Additionally, poor communication among stakeholders and organizations hindered implementation. Conversely, prevention was facilitated when linked to performance, athletes were motivated, and enjoyable routines were integrated into their training.
Conclusion : To conclude sports are inherently associated with pleasure and pushing physical limits, which can increase injury risks. Injuries are perceived as barriers to participating in beloved sport activities, making prevention a critical concern for coaches, healthcare professionals, and sports organizations. However, implementing prevention programs requires time, resources, and strategies that resonate with athletes. While athletes value injury prevention, their motivation is tied to perceiving immediate benefits. These findings support Luxembourg’s Healthy Active initiative by offering insights to reduce injury rates through a holistic and collaborative approach to prevention.