PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Alex Donaldson
AU  - Belinda J Gabbe
AU  - David G Lloyd
AU  - Jill Cook
AU  - Caroline F Finch
TI  - Controlled ecological evaluation of an implemented exercise training programme to prevent lower limb injuries in sport: differences in implementation activity
AID  - 10.1136/injuryprev-2017-042579
DP  - 2019 Dec 01
TA  - Injury Prevention
PG  - 480--486
VI  - 25
IP  - 6
4099  - http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/25/6/480.short
4100  - http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/25/6/480.full
SO  - Inj Prev2019 Dec 01; 25
AB  - Objective The public health benefits of injury prevention programmes are maximised when programmes are widely adopted and adhered to. Therefore, these programmes require appropriate implementation support. This study evaluated implementation activity outcomes associated with the implementation of FootyFirst, an exercise training injury prevention programme for community Australian football, both with (FootyFirst+S) and without (FootyFirst+NS) implementation support.Method An evaluation plan based on the Reach Effectiveness Adoption Implementation Maintenance (RE-AIM) Sports Setting Matrix was applied in a controlled ecological evaluation of the implementation of FootyFirst. RE-AIM dimension-specific (range: 0–2) and total RE-AIM scores (range: 0–10) were derived by triangulating data from a number of sources (including surveys, interviews, direct observations and notes) describing FootyFirst implementation activities. The mean dimension-specific and total scores were compared for clubs in regions receiving FootyFirst+S and FootyFirst+NS, through analysis of variance.Results The mean total RE-AIM score forclubs in the FootyFirst+S regions was 2.4 times higher than for clubs in the FootyFirst+NS region (4.73 vs 1.94; 95% CI for the difference: 1.64 to 3.74). Similarly, all dimension-specific scores were significantly higher for clubs in the FootyFirst+S regions compared with clubs in the FootyFirst+NS region. In all regions, the dimension-specific scores were highest for reach and adoption, and lowest for implementation.Conclusion Implementing exercise training injury prevention programmes in community sport is challenging. Delivering programme content supported by a context-specific and evidence-informed implementation plan leads to greater implementation activity, which is an important precursor to injury reductions.