Implementation; Prevention; Qualitative Research; Sporting injuries; Orthopedics and Sports Medicine; Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
Abstract :
[en] Despite strong scientific evidence supporting sports injury prevention, implementation in real-world sport settings remains limited. Understanding how prevention is perceived and practised by those directly involved in sport is essential to ensure effective implementation. This qualitative study explored how injury prevention is perceived, practised and implemented within the sport ecosystem of a small Western European high-income country (Luxembourg). Semi-structured interviews were carried out across the Luxembourgish sport ecosystem, including athletes, coaches, healthcare professionals and institutional representatives. Interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. Data were analysed inductively following grounded theory principles using ATLAS.ti, with open, axial and selective coding to develop core dimensions grounded in participants' experiences. 12 participants acknowledged the importance of injury prevention and shared a strong commitment to athlete health. However, prevention was often perceived as reactive, medicalised or disconnected from performance objectives, which limited sustained engagement. Participants emphasised the need to reframe prevention as a performance-enhancing and integral component of training rather than an additional constraint. Three key facilitators for effective implementation emerged: (1) clear and coordinated communication between stakeholders and institutions, (2) early integration of injury prevention in youth sport through engaging and age-appropriate approaches and (3) structured education and long-term support for coaches, who were identified as central gatekeepers of daily practice. Although Luxembourg's small size and close-knit networks were seen as opportunities for collaboration, fragmented structures and inconsistent communication currently hinder coherent implementation. Luxembourg offers a favourable context to embed injury prevention within sport culture, yet greater system-level coordination is required. Reframing prevention around performance, strengthening coach education, promoting early engagement and improving cross-institutional communication may enhance adherence and sustainability. These findings provide practical insights for other sport systems seeking to translate evidence-based injury prevention into effective field practice.
Disciplines :
Orthopedics, rehabilitation & sports medicine
Author, co-author :
Aguilaniu, Aude ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des Sciences de l'activité physique et de la réadaptation > Didactique sport-santé ; Luxembourg Institute of Research in Orthopedics Sports Medicine and Science (LIROMS), Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Tooth, Camille ; Luxembourg Institute of Research in Orthopedics Sports Medicine and Science (LIROMS), Luxembourg, Luxembourg ; ReFORM IOC Research Centre for Prevention of Injury and Protection of Athlete Health, Liège, Belgium
Benoit-Piau, Justine ; Department of Public and Occupational Health, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Mouton, Caroline; Luxembourg Institute of Research in Orthopedics Sports Medicine and Science (LIROMS), Luxembourg, Luxembourg ; Clinique du Sport, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL), Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Goedert, Nina; Clinique du Sport, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL), Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Pauls, Jérôme; Luxembourg Institute for High Performance in Sports (LIHPS), Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Nührenbörger, Christian; Luxembourg Institute of Research in Orthopedics Sports Medicine and Science (LIROMS), Luxembourg, Luxembourg ; Clinique du Sport, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL), Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Verhagen, Evert ; Department of Public and Occupational Health, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Seil, Romain; Luxembourg Institute of Research in Orthopedics Sports Medicine and Science (LIROMS), Luxembourg, Luxembourg ; ReFORM IOC Research Centre for Prevention of Injury and Protection of Athlete Health, Liège, Belgium ; Clinique du Sport, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL), Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Language :
English
Title :
Putting sport injury prevention into practice: a qualitative study in a small Western European high-income country.
This research received grant from CMCM (Caisse M\u00E9dico-Compl\u00E9mentaire Mutualiste)\u2014Luxembourg. The authors would like to thank all partners involved in the Healthy Active project: the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg, the Luxembourg Society of Sports Physiotherapy, the Luxembourg Society of Sports Medicine, the Luxembourg Institute for High Performance in Sports, the Luxembourg Olympic and Sports Committee, Sportlyc\u00E9e Luxembourg, INAPS, FLASS, ReFORM and Amsterdam UMC.
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