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Purpose:To evaluate the movement and physiological demands of Australasian National Rugby League (NRL) referees, officiating with a 2-referee (ie, lead and pocket) system, and to compare the demands of the lead and pocket referees. Methods:Global positioning system devices (10 Hz) were used to obtain 86 data sets (lead, n = 41; pocket, n = 45) on 19 NRL referees. Total distance, relative distance covered, and heart rate per half and across match play were examined within and between referees using t tests. Distance, time, and number of movement “efforts” were examined in 6 velocity classifications (ie, standing 7.0 m/s) using analysis of variance. Cohen d effect sizes are reported. Results:There were no significant differences between the lead and pocket referees for any movement or physiological variable. There was an overall significant (large, very large) effect for distance (% distance) and time (% time) (P < .001) between velocity classifications for both the lead and pocket referees. Both roles covered the largest distance and number of efforts at velocities of 0.51–2.0 m/s and 2.01–4.0 m/s, which were interspersed with efforts >5.51 m/s. Conclusions:Findings highlight the intermittent nature of rugby league refereeing but show that there were no differences in the movement and physiological demands of the 2 refereeing roles. Findings are valuable for those responsible for the preparation, training, and conditioning of NRL referees and to ensure that training prepares for and simulates match demands.

Background: Intensive sport participation in childhood and adolescence is an established cause of acute and overuse injury. Interventions and programs designed to prevent such injuries are important in reducing individual and societal costs associated with treatment and recovery. Likewise, they help to maintain the accrual of positive outcomes from participation, such as cardiovascular health and skill development. To date, several studies have individually tested the effectiveness of injury prevention programs (IPPs). Purpose: To determine the overall efficacy of structured multifaceted IPPs containing a combination of warm-up, neuromuscular strength, or proprioception training, targeting injury reduction rates according to risk exposure time in adolescent team sport contexts. Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: With established inclusion criteria, studies were searched in the following databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, and AusSportMed. The keyword search terms (including derivations) included the following: adolescents, sports, athletic injuries, prevention/warm-up programs. Eligible studies were then pooled for meta-analysis with an invariance random-effects model, with injury rate ratio (IRR) as the primary outcome. Heterogeneity among studies and publication bias were tested, and subgroup analysis examined heterogeneity sources. Results: Across 10 studies, including 9 randomized controlled trials, a pooled overall point estimate yielded an IRR of 0.60 (95% CI = 0.48-0.75; a 40% reduction) while accounting for hours of risk exposure. Publication bias assessment suggested an 8% reduction in the estimate (IRR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.54-0.84), and the prediction interval intimated that any study estimate could still fall between 0.33 and 1.48. Subgroup analyses identified no significant moderators, although possible influences may have been masked because of data constraints. Conclusion: Compared with normative practices or control, IPPs significantly reduced IRRs in adolescent team sport contexts. The underlying explanations for IPP efficacy remain to be accurately identified, although they potentially relate to IPP content and improvements in muscular strength, proprioceptive balance, and flexibility. Clinical Relevance: Clinical practitioners (eg, orthopaedics, physical therapists) and sports practitioners (eg, strength and conditioners, coaches) can respectively recommend and implement IPPs similar to those examined to help reduce injury rates in adolescent team sports contexts.

Background The FIFA 11+ program is efficacious in preventing lower extremity injuries in youth soccer players; however, its implementation remains a challenge. Coaches9 beliefs and actions regarding injury prevention may influence program implementation. Objective To describe baseline psychosocial factors and evaluate their relationship with intended FIFA 11+ implementation amongst youth soccer coaches, using the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) behaviour change model. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Community youth soccer. Participants Seventy-nine youth soccer coaches from across Canada who attended a FIFA 11+ workshop (Spring 2016) during a nationwide program implementation initiative. Assessment of Risk Factors A HAPA-based questionnaire was used to measure risk perceptions (RP), outcome expectancies (OE) and task self-efficacy (TSE) on a 7-point Likert scale. Scale levels were combined (positive, negative and neutral) to describe baseline values. Spearman correlation was used to assess relationship between factors and intention (INT) (with Bonferroni correction). Main Outcome Measurements INT to implement the FIFA 11+ in the successive soccer season as measured by the questionnaire. Results In total, 92.4% of coaches completed the survey. Most coaches (84.6%) believed the overall risk of injury in youth soccer was high (RP). 80.6% of coaches believed soccer injuries were preventable (OE1) and 94.4% believed that the FIFA 11+ would decrease injury risk (OE2). 69.1% were confident in their understanding of the FIFA 11+ (TSE1) and 76.8% were confident in their ability to use it (TSE2). Most coaches (82.5%) intended to use the program (INT). Only TSE2 was found to be significantly associated with INT (r s =0.42, p=0.001). Conclusions This preliminary analysis demonstrates that task self-efficacy relating to youth soccer coaches9 confidence in being able to use the FIFA 11+ correlates positively with their intention to implement the program. No other significant relations were found between the other psychosocial factors and coaches9 intention.

Background Coach-led delivery of the FIFA 11+ warm-up program is an effective strategy for program implementation. There is emerging evidence that coaches9 task self-efficacy (TSE) predicts FIFA 11+ implementation in youth soccer. Objective To determine the impact of a comprehensive FIFA 11+ workshop on youth soccer coaches9 TSE. Design Quasi-experimental pilot study. Setting Community youth soccer. Participants This study involved 73 Canadian coaches (66.7% male, aged 18–66 years) participating in a pilot pre-implementation FIFA 11+ workshop (Spring 2016). Interventions Experts with experience in program implementation delivered a coach workshop, comprising an extensive theory-based classroom session and a field-based practical demonstration of the FIFA 11+ program. Main Outcome Measurements A questionnaire was used to assess coaches9 TSE for implementing the FIFA 11+ on a 7-point Likert scale. Difference in the pre-post workshop ratings of TSE as measured by coaches9 confidence in both their understanding the FIFA 11+ program (TSE1) and their ability to use the program with their teams (TSE2). Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test analysis was used to assess any statistical differences between baseline and post-workshop ratings of TSE. Results Coaches had a median (1st, 3rd quartiles) baseline TSE1 rating of 6 (4, 6) and TSE2 rating of 6 (5, 6). There were statistical significant differences in coaches9 TSE1 (z=−3.99; p Conclusions A comprehensive FIFA 11+ workshop generated positive increases in coach TSE, which may help optimize program uptake and implementation. Further evaluation of this coach workshop strategy on behavioural and implementation outcomes will be performed in a large population of coaches across different cities in Canada in an ongoing nationwide implementation of the FIFA 11+ program in youth soccer.