Pilot Study of a Tailored Model for Implementation of Injury Prevention Training in Youth Handball (the I-PROTECT Model)

The I-PROTECT model is based on existing research and knowledge of experts in sport medicine, sport psychology and implementation science, with the involvement of end-users throughout the process. The interdisciplinary intervention includes exercises based on physical and psychological principles of effective injury prevention training, specifically tailored for youth handball players, and support for developing a continuous implementation strategy. The intervention is delivered through a mobile application specifically developed for the I-PROTECT project (the I-PROTECT GO), including coach, player, club administrator, and caregiver modules. Coaches are introduced to the intervention in a workshop, and they will conduct the exercises with their teams during handball practice. Players will have support for conducting exercises on their own, and club administrators for developing an implementation strategy. Caregivers will have tailored information about injury prevention training.

"Youth coaches in the control group club will be asked to use injury prevention training available in the coach education material (Ready for handball), i.e., current practice in Sweden."