Despite reported injury rates of up to 3 per 1000 hours exposure, there are no evidence-based prevention programs in tennis. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an e-health prevention program for reducing tennis injury prevalence.
METHODS
In a two-arm, researcher-blinded randomized controlled trial, we randomized adult tennis players of all playing levels to an unsupervised program lasting 12 weeks (TennisReady group or control group). The primary outcome was the overall injury prevalence over a 16-week period, measured at 2 weekly intervals with the Oslo Sports and Trauma Research Centre questionnaire. Estimates for the primary outcome and associated 95% CIs were obtained using generalised estimating equation models. Secondary outcome scores included prevalence of substantial injuries, overall incidence, adherence and time-loss injuries.
RESULTS
A total of 579 (83%) (TennisReady n=286, control n=293) participants were included in the primary analysis. The mean injury prevalence was 37% (95% CI 33% to 42%) in the TennisReady vs 38% (95% CI 34% to 42%) in the control group (adjusted p-value 0.93). The prevalence of substantial injuries was 11% (95% CI 9% to 14%) in the TennisReady vs 12% (95% CI 9% to 15%) in the control group (p value of 0.79). Analysis of the secondary outcome scores showed no difference between groups. The mean prevalence rates between high (8%) and low (92%) adherent groups were 32% (95% CI 23% to 44%) and 37% (95% CI 33% to 42%), respectively (p value 0.36).
Overall injury prevalence (open symbols) and substantial injury prevalence (filled symbols) in the TennisReady (black lines) and control (dotted lines) at 2 weeks’ interval over the 16-week period.
IN CONCLUSION
Providing an e-health tennis-specific unsupervised exercise programme of 12 weeks, a 7–10 min exercise programme, did not reduce the risk of tennis injuries.
Our unsupervised e-health prevention programme should not be implemented in recreational tennis.
We suggest evaluating the programme in a coach-based supervised setting.
Pas HIMFL, Pluim BM, Kilic O, et al.Br J Sports Med Epub ahead of print: [please include Day Month Year]. doi:10.1136/ bjsports-2019-101142