Objectives Adherence to injury prevention programmes
in football remains low, which is thought to drastically
reduce the effects of injury prevention programmes.
Reasons why (medical) staff and players implement
injury prevention programmes, have been investigated,
but player’s characteristics and perceptions about these
programmes might influence their adherence. Therefore,
this study investigated the relationships between player’s
characteristics and adherence and between player’s
perceptions and adherence following an implemented
injury prevention programme.
Methods Data from 98 of 221 football players from the
intervention group of a cluster randomised controlled trial
concerning hamstring injury prevention were analysed.
Results Adherence was better among older and more
experienced football players, and players considered the
programme more useful, less intense, more functional
and less time-consuming.
Previous hamstring injuries,
educational level, the programme’s difficulty and intention
to continue the exercises were not significantly associated
with adherence.
Conclusion These player’s characteristics and
perceptions should be considered when implementing
injury prevention programmes.