Dissertation
Reducing Overuse Injuries in High School Athletes
University of Iowa
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
Spring 2025
Abstract
Background: Youth sports result in 1.6 million injuries annually, with 5.3 overuse injuries per 10,000 athletes. Factors such as sports specialization, insufficient coaching education, and rigorous training schedules contribute to the rise in overuse injuries. Coaches must undergo injury prevention training only once during initial coaching authorization. This project was designed to meet the need for annual training on sports injury prevention. Purpose: This project aimed to educate high school sports coaches to enhance their confidence in managing, recognizing, and preventing lower limb overuse injuries. Methods: Utilizing the Quality Implementation Framework, an educational video was created highlighting overuse injury signs and symptoms, appropriate responses to injury, and prevention tips. Data was collected using in-person practice data sheets and surveys. A 6-item Likert scale survey (1 = strongly disagree and 5= strongly agree) was developed to assess knowledge and confidence. Surveys were given before the education training video and after their respective sports seasons. Findings: Out of 59 participating coaches, 61 percent (n=36) completed the training to date based on the start date of their respective sports season. Survey results indicated that participants believe injury prevention training is important (mean=4.5, 4.2), increased their confidence (mean=3.8, 4.4), and understanding of how to treat overuse injuries (mean=3.6, 4.2). As a result of the online training, 41% of coaches (mean=3, n=5 out of 12) changed their approach to warmups. Practice data showed average warm-up times increased in football and volleyball, and improved distribution of exercises (core, aerobic, balance, agility, and strength) during the warm-up across all sports (volleyball, football, and cross country). Discussion: Coaches reported higher confidence in managing, recognizing, and preventing overuse injuries. There were improved approaches to a full-body warmup in their practices or competitions following participation in the training.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Reducing Overuse Injuries in High School Athletes
- Creators
- Mikayla Siddell - University of Iowa
- Contributors
- Daniel Crawford (Chair) - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Project Type
- Poster
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (Primary Care)
- Date degree season
- Spring 2025
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- 1 page
- Copyright
- Copyright 2025 Mikayla Siddell
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Nursing; Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects
- Record Identifier
- 9984841527902771
Metrics
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