Developing the Singapore youth shoulder overuse injury prevention program

Abstract

ObjectivesTo develop the Singapore Youth Shoulder Overuse Injury Prevention Program specifically for competitive overhead youth athletes in Singapore. DesignTwo-round online Delphi technique with experts and a feasibility assessment questionnaire with youth athletes who represented end-users. SettingVolleyball for youth athletes. ParticipantsExperts were recruited through purposive sampling based on their knowledge and experience. Youth athletes were recruited though a volleyball club. Main outcome measuresThe main outcome measure was the level of consensus on the proposed (1) exercise program for the overhead youth athletes, (2) education program regarding overuse injuries for coaches of overhead youth athletes, and (3) education program regarding overuse injuries for overhead youth athletes. Consensus was set at 75% agreement in this study. ResultsEighteen experts completed the two Delphi rounds with 100% response rate. Consensus was achieved for the exercise program and both education programs. Twelve youth athletes completed the feasibility assessment questionnaire and found the exercises to be feasible in terms of usefulness, practical use, instructions, duration, and ease of execution. ConclusionConsensus was reached for the Singapore Youth Shoulder Overuse Injury Prevention Program, and feasibility of execution by end-users was successfully determined.