Challenges of Injury Risk Reduction Strategy Implementation in Belgian’s Professional Male Football Team: A Qualitative Analysis

Objectives: This qualitative study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators influencing the implementation of injury risk reduction strategies within a Belgian professional male football club.
Methods: A qualitative analysis using grounded theory methodology was conducted. Eight semi-structured interviews were carried out with key stakeholders from a Belgian professional football male first team: four professional staff (a physiotherapist, a strength and conditioning coach, an assistant coach, and a goalkeeper coach) and four outfield players. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed inductively using Atlas.ti software. Codes were iteratively generated and grouped into higher-order conceptual categories through constant comparison between two researchers.

Results: Four major conceptual categories emerged: i) prevention organization reflects a complex balance between performance demands, workload management, and logistical constraints; ii) individualized screening and data integration are central to injury risk profiling and daily decision-making, requiring accurate clinical interpretation, iii) players’ perceptions and prior injury experiences shape their engagement in preventive strategies, varying according to personal injury history and beliefs, iv) interdisciplinary communication and collaboration play a pivotal role despite structural and organisational challenges.

Conclusion: The implementation of injury risk reduction strategies in professional male football is a multifactorial, context-dependent process. Greater success relies on an integrated approach combining individualized programming, appropriate data use, active player engagement, and strengthened interdisciplinary communication. These findings provide contextualised field-based strategies to optimise injury risk reduction and highlight the importance of clear communication pathway between staff and players.