Source
Department of Public Health, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To study the effects of a school-based injury prevention program on physical activity injury incidence and severity.
DESIGN:
Cluster randomized controlled trial performed from January 1, 2006, through July 31, 2007.
SETTING:
Forty Dutch primary schools.
PARTICIPANTS:
A total of 2210 children (aged 10-12 years).
INTERVENTION:
Schools were randomized to receive either the regular curriculum or an intervention program that targeted physical activity injuries.
OUTCOME MEASURES:
Incidence and severity of physical activity injuries per 1000 hours of physical activity participation.
RESULTS:
A total of 100 injuries in the intervention group and 104 injuries in the control group were registered. Nonresponse at baseline or follow-up was minimal (8.7%). The Cox regression analyses adjusted for clustering showed a small nonsignificant intervention effect on total (HR, 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.41-1.59), sports club (0.69; 0.28-1.68), and leisure time injuries (0.75; 0.36-1.55). However, physical activity appeared to be an effect modifier. In those who were less physically active, the intervention had a larger effect. The intervention reduced the total and leisure time injury incidence (HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.21-1.06; and 0.43; 0.16-1.14; respectively). Sports club injury incidence was significantly reduced (HR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.07-0.75).
CONCLUSION:
We found a substantial and relevant reduction in physical activity injuries, especially in children in the low active group, because of the intervention. This school-based injury prevention program is promising, but future large-scale research is needed.