Improving safety for women in community football through an injury prevention program

Prep-to-Play: Comparing the Impact of Supported and Unsupported Implementation Strategies on the Use of an Injury Prevention Program in Women's/Girl's Community Football

Not applicable Interventional La Trobe University · NCT04856241

This study is testing a new injury prevention program for female community football players to see if getting support helps coaches reduce injuries better than doing it on their own.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment2600 (estimated)
Ages14 Years and up
SexFemale
SponsorLa Trobe University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Melbourne, Victoria)
Trial IDNCT04856241 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to support coaches in implementing an injury prevention program called Prep-to-Play in female community Australian Football. It will recruit at least 140 teams from various leagues in Victoria, Australia, focusing on players aged 13 and above. The study will compare the effectiveness of supported versus unsupported implementation strategies on the use of the program and evaluate its impact on reducing injuries over two football seasons. Additionally, it will identify barriers to sustainability and assess the cost-effectiveness of the program.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are female community football teams with players aged 13 years and older and coaches willing to implement the injury prevention program.

Not a fit: Patients who may not benefit from this study include those under 13 years of age or coaches unable to understand written English.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly reduce the incidence of injuries such as ACL injuries and concussions among female football players.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success with similar injury prevention programs in sports, indicating a promising approach for this initiative.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria

* Coach consents to be trained and to implement Prep-to-Play
* Team includes players aged 13 years and above registered to play community football
* The team trains at least once per week in addition to match-play
* Coach has at least Level I coach accreditation (or enrolled to be accredited in 2021)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Inability to understand written English
* Players aged less than 13 years

Where this trial is running

Melbourne, Victoria

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Anterior Cruciate Ligament InjuriesConcussion, BrainMusculoskeletal Injuryinjury preventionimplementationfootballfemale
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.