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Sports Medicine
Published in: Sports Medicine 4/2020

Open Access 01-04-2020 | Original Research Article

Return-to-Play Practices Following Hamstring Injury: A Worldwide Survey of 131 Premier League Football Teams

Authors: Gordon Dunlop, Clare L. Ardern, Thor Einar Andersen, Colin Lewin, Gregory Dupont, Ben Ashworth, Gary O’Driscoll, Andrew Rolls, Susan Brown, Alan McCall

Published in: Sports Medicine | Issue 4/2020

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Abstract

Purpose

Return-to-play (RTP) is an on-going challenge in professional football. Return-to-play related research is increasing. However, it is unknown to what extent the recommendations presented within research are being implemented by professional football teams, and where there are gaps between research and practice. The purposes of this study were (1) to determine if premier-league football teams worldwide follow a RTP continuum, (2) to identify RTP criteria used and (3) to understand how RTP decision-making occurs in applied practice.

Methods

We sent a structured online survey to practitioners responsible for the RTP programme in 310 professional teams from 34 premier-leagues worldwide. The survey comprised four sections, based on hamstring muscle injury: (1) criteria used throughout RTP phases, (2) the frequency with which progression criteria were achieved, (3) RTP decision-making process and (4) challenges to decision-making.

Results

One-hundred and thirty-one teams responded with a completed survey (42%). One-hundred and twenty-four teams (95%) used a continuum to guide RTP, assessing a combination of clinical, functional and psychological criteria to inform decisions to progress. One-hundred and five (80%) teams reported using a shared decision-making approach considering the input of multiple stakeholders. Team hierarchy, match- and player-related factors were common challenges perceived to influence decision-making.

Conclusions

General research recommendations for RTP and the beliefs and practices of practitioners appear to match with, the majority of teams assessing functional, clinical and psychological criteria throughout a RTP continuum to inform decision-making which is also shared among key stakeholders. However, specific criteria, metrics and thresholds used, and the specific involvement, dynamics and interactions of staff during decision-making are not clear.
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Metadata
Title
Return-to-Play Practices Following Hamstring Injury: A Worldwide Survey of 131 Premier League Football Teams
Authors
Gordon Dunlop
Clare L. Ardern
Thor Einar Andersen
Colin Lewin
Gregory Dupont
Ben Ashworth
Gary O’Driscoll
Andrew Rolls
Susan Brown
Alan McCall
Publication date
01-04-2020
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Sports Medicine / Issue 4/2020
Print ISSN: 0112-1642
Electronic ISSN: 1179-2035
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01199-2

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