Promoting an active choice among physically inactive adults: a randomised web-based four-arm experiment.

BACKGROUND: Promoting active (i.e., conscious, autonomous, informed, and value-congruent) choices may improve the effectiveness of physical activity interventions. This web-based four-arm experimental study investigated the effect of promoting an active versus passive choice regarding physical activity on behavioural and psychological outcomes (e.g., physical activity intentions and behaviours, autonomy, commitment) among physically inactive adults. METHODS: Dutch inactive adults were randomized into four groups: physical activity guideline only (control group G), guideline & information (GI), guideline & active choice (GA), or guideline & active choice & action planning (GA +). GA and GA + participants were stimulated to make an active choice by weighing advantages and disadvantages of physical activity, considering personal values, and identifying barriers. GA + participants additionally completed action/coping planning exercises. Passive choice groups G and GI did not receive exercises. Self-reported behavioural outcomes were assessed by a questionnaire pre-intervention (T0, n = 564) and at 2-4 weeks follow-up (T2, n = 493). Psychological outcomes were assessed post-intervention (T1, n = 564) and at follow-up. Regression analyses compared the outcomes of groups GI, GA and GA + with group G. We also conducted sensitivity analyses and a process evaluation. RESULTS: Although promoting an active choice process (i.e., interventions GA and GA +) did not improve intention (T1) or physical activity (T2 versus T0), GA + participants reported higher commitment at T1 (ß = 0.44;95%CI:0.04;0.84) and more frequently perceived an increase in physical activity between T0 and T2 (ß = 2.61;95%CI:1.44;7.72). GA participants also made a more active choice at T1 (ß = 0.16;95%CI:0.04;0.27). The GA and GA + intervention did not significantly increase the remaining outcomes. GI participants reported higher intention strength (ß = 0.64;95%CI:0.15;1.12), autonomy (ß = 0.50;95%CI:0.05;0.95), and commitment (ß = 0.39;95%CI:0.04;0.74), and made a more active choice at T1 (ß = 0.13;95%CI:0.02;0.24). Interestingly, gender and health condition modified the effect on several outcomes. The GA + intervention was somewhat more effective in women. The process evaluation showed that participants varied in how they perceived the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: There is no convincing evidence of a beneficial effect of an active versus passive choice intervention on physical activity intentions and behaviours among inactive adults. Further research should determine whether and how active choice interventions that are gender-sensitized and consider health conditions can effectively increase physical activity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04973813 . Retrospectively registered.

Office workers' perspectives on physical activity and sedentary behaviour: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Office workers spend a significant part of their workday sitting. Interventions that aim to reduce sedentary behaviour and increase physical activity might be more effective if greater attention is paid to individual perspectives that influence behavioural choices, including beliefs and values. This study aimed to gain insight into office workers' perspectives on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. METHODS: Sixteen Dutch office workers (50% female) from different professions participated in semi-structured face-to-face interviews in March 2019. To facilitate the interviews, participants received a sensitizing booklet one week before the interview. The booklet aimed to trigger them to reflect on their physical activity and sedentary behaviour and on their values in life. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and coded following codebook thematic analysis. RESULTS: Six themes were identified: 1) beliefs about health effects are specific regarding physical activity, but superficial regarding sedentary behaviour; 2) in addition to 'health' as a value, other values are also given priority; 3) motivations to engage in physical activity mainly stem from prioritizing the value 'health', reflected by a desire to both achieve positive short/mid-term outcomes and to prevent long-term negative outcomes; 4) attitudes towards physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour are diverse and depend on individual values and previous experiences; 5) perceived barriers depend on internal and external factors; 6) supporting factors are related to support and information in the social and physical environment. CONCLUSIONS: The great value that office workers attach to health is reflected in their motivations and attitudes regarding physical activity. Increasing office workers' knowledge of the health risks of prolonged sitting may therefore increase their motivation to sit less. Although 'health' is considered important, other values, including social and work-related values, are sometimes prioritized. We conclude that interventions that aim to reduce sedentary behaviour and increase physical activity among office workers could be improved by informing about health effects of sedentary behaviour and short/mid-term benefits of physical activity, including mental health benefits. Moreover, interventions could frame physical activity as congruent with values and support value-congruent choices. Finally, the work environment could support physical activity and interruption of sedentary behaviour.

Choice architecture interventions to change physical activity and sedentary behavior: a systematic review of effects on intention, behavior and health outcomes during and after intervention.

BACKGROUND: Choice architecture interventions, which subtly change the environment in which individuals make decisions, can be used to promote behavior change. This systematic review aimed to summarize studies on micro-environmental choice architecture interventions that encouraged physical activity or discouraged sedentary behavior in adults, and to describe the effectiveness of those interventions on these behaviors - and on related intentions or health outcomes - in presence of the intervention and after removal of the intervention (i.e. post-intervention, regardless of the time elapsed). METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library for (quasi) experimental studies published up to December 2019 that evaluated the effect of choice architecture interventions on physical activity and sedentary behavior, as well as on intentions and health outcomes related to physical activity/sedentary behavior. Studies that combined choice architecture techniques with other behavior change techniques were excluded. All studies were screened for eligibility, relevant data was extracted and two independent reviewers assessed the methodological quality using the QualSyst tool. RESULTS: Of the 9609 records initially identified, 88 studies met our eligibility criteria. Most studies (n = 70) were of high methodologic quality. Eighty-six studies targeted physical activity, predominantly stair use, whereas two studies targeted sedentary behavior, and one targeted both behaviors. Intervention techniques identified were prompting (n = 53), message framing (n = 24), social comparison (n = 12), feedback (n = 8), default change (n = 1) and anchoring (n = 1). In presence of the intervention, 68% of the studies reported an effect of choice architecture on behavior, whereas after removal of the intervention only 47% of the studies reported a significant effect. For all choice architecture techniques identified, except for message framing, the majority of studies reported a significant effect on behavioral intentions or behavior in presence of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that prompting can effectively encourage stair use in adults, especially in presence of a prompt. The effectiveness of the choice architecture techniques social influence, feedback, default change and anchoring cannot be assessed based on this review. More (controlled) studies are needed to assess the (sustained) effectiveness of choice architecture interventions on sedentary behavior and other types of physical activity than stair use.

Self-regulatory skills: Are they helpful in the prevention of overuse injuries in talented tennis players?

Talented athletes use metacognitive skills to improve their performance. Also, it is known that these skills are important for managing one's health. The goal of this study was to identify the relationship between metacognitive skills and overuse injuries in talented tennis players. Metacognitive skills were measured in 73 talented tennis players (45 boys and 28 girls, age 11-14) at the start of the season, using the Self-Regulation of Learning Self-Report Scale. Overuse injuries were monitored for one season using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Questionnaire on Health Problems. Ordinal regression indicated that moderate or low selfmonitoring skills (compared to high selfmonitoring) (OR 4.555, CI 1.096-18.927, P = 0.037) and exposure time (OR 1.380, CI 1.106-1.721, P = 0.004) were associated with more time loss overuse injuries. A second analysis showed that this was the case in girls (OR 10.757, CI 1.845-62.714, P = 0.008), but not in boys. Linear regression revealed that higher reflection scores and exposure time predicted overuse severity (F(5,58) = 2.921, P = 0.020, R2  = 0.201). Possibly, selfmonitoring can help players to prevent themselves from time loss overuse injuries. Coaches should be aware that players can differ in selfmonitoring ability and thus in the ability to prevent overuse injuries. The role of reflection needs more research.

Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ankle sprains: update of an evidence-based clinical guideline.

This guideline aimed to advance current understandings regarding the diagnosis, prevention and therapeutic interventions for ankle sprains by updating the existing guideline and incorporate new research. A secondary objective was to provide an update related to the cost-effectiveness of diagnostic procedures, therapeutic interventions and prevention strategies. It was posited that subsequent interaction of clinicians with this guideline could help reduce health impairments and patient burden associated with this prevalent musculoskeletal injury. The previous guideline provided evidence that the severity of ligament damage can be assessed most reliably by delayed physical examination (4-5 days post trauma). After correct diagnosis, it can be stated that even though a short time of immobilisation may be helpful in relieving pain and swelling, the patient with an acute lateral ankle ligament rupture benefits most from use of tape or a brace in combination with an exercise programme.New in this update: Participation in certain sports is associated with a heightened risk of sustaining a lateral ankle sprain. Care should be taken with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) usage after an ankle sprain. They may be used to reduce pain and swelling, but usage is not without complications and NSAIDs may suppress the natural healing process. Concerning treatment, supervised exercise-based programmes preferred over passive modalities as it stimulates the recovery of functional joint stability. Surgery should be reserved for cases that do not respond to thorough and comprehensive exercise-based treatment. For the prevention of recurrent lateral ankle sprains, ankle braces should be considered as an efficacious option.

A 12-Month Prospective Cohort Study of Symptoms of Common Mental Disorders Among European Professional Footballers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the 12-month incidence and comorbidity of symptoms of common mental disorders (CMD) among European professional footballers and to explore the association of potential stressors with the health conditions under study among those European professional footballers. DESIGN: Observational prospective cohort study with a follow-up period of 12 months. PARTICIPANTS: Male professional footballers from 5 European countries (n = 384 at baseline). ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS: Adverse life events, conflicts with trainer/coach, and career dissatisfaction were explored by using validated questionnaires. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Symptoms of distress, anxiety/depression, sleep disturbance, and adverse alcohol use were assessed using validated questionnaires. RESULTS: A total of 384 players (mean age of 27 years old; mean career duration of 8 years) were enrolled, of which 262 completed the follow-up period. The incidence of symptoms of CMD were 12% for distress, 37% for anxiety/depression, 19% for sleep disturbance, and 14% for adverse alcohol use. Over the follow-up period of 12 months, approximately 13% of the participants reported 2 symptoms, 5% three symptoms, and 3% four symptoms. Professional footballers reporting recent adverse life events, a conflict with trainer/coach, or career dissatisfaction were more likely to report symptoms of CMD, but statistically significant associations were not found. CONCLUSIONS: The 12-month incidence of symptoms of CMD among European professional footballers ranged from 12% for symptoms of distress to 37% for symptoms of anxiety/depression. A professional football team typically drawn from a squad of 25 players can expect symptoms of CMD to occur among at least 3 players in one season.

Are severe musculoskeletal injuries associated with symptoms of common mental disorders among male European professional footballers?

PURPOSE: To explore the associations of severe musculoskeletal injuries (joint and muscles) and surgeries with symptoms of common mental disorders (distress, anxiety/depression, sleeping disturbance, adverse alcohol behaviour , smoking, adverse nutrition behaviour) among male European professional footballers. METHODS: Cross-sectional analyses were conducted on electronic questionnaires completed by professional footballers recruited from the national players' unions of Finland, France, Norway, Spain or Sweden. The number of severe (time loss of more than 28 days) musculoskeletal injuries (total, joint, muscle) and surgeries during a professional football career was examined through four questions, while symptoms of common mental disorders were evaluated through validated scales. RESULTS: A total of 540 professional footballers (mean age of 27 years; 54 % playing in the highest leagues) participated in the study. Sixty-eight per cent of the participants had already incurred one or more severe joint injuries and 60 % one or more severe muscle injuries. Prevalence of symptoms of common mental disorders ranged from 3 % for smoking to 37 % for anxiety/depression and 58 % for adverse nutrition behaviour. The number of severe musculoskeletal injuries during a football career was positively correlated with distress, anxiety and sleeping disturbance, while the number of surgeries was correlated with adverse alcohol behaviour and smoking. Professional footballers who had sustained one or more severe musculoskeletal injuries during their career were two to nearly four times more likely to report symptoms of common mental disorders than professional footballers who had not suffered from severe musculoskeletal injuries. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the number of severe musculoskeletal injuries and surgeries during a career is positively correlated and associated with symptoms of common mental disorders among male European professional footballers. This study emphasises the importance of applying a multidisciplinary approach to the clinical care and support of professional footballers, especially when a player faces lengthy periods without training and competition as a consequence of recurrent severe joint or muscle injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

The effect of a health promotion intervention for construction workers on work-related outcomes: results from a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The objective of the present study is to investigate the effects of a worksite health promotion intervention on musculoskeletal symptoms, physical functioning, work ability, work-related vitality, work performance, and sickness absence. METHODS: In a randomized controlled design, 314 construction workers were randomized into an intervention group (n = 162) receiving personal coaching, tailored information, and materials, and a control group (n = 152) receiving usual care. Sickness absence was recorded continuously in company records, and questionnaires were completed before, directly after the 6-month intervention period, and 12 months after baseline measurements. Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to determine intervention effects. RESULTS: No significant changes at 6 or 12 months of follow-up were observed in musculoskeletal symptoms, physical functioning, work ability, work-related vitality, work performance, and sickness absence as a result of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the intervention was not statistically significantly effective on secondary outcomes. Although the intervention improved physical activity, dietary, and weight-related outcomes, it was not successful in decreasing musculoskeletal symptoms and improving other work-related measures. Presumably, more multifaceted interventions are required to establish significant change in these outcomes.

The trAPP-study: cost-effectiveness of an unsupervised e-health supported neuromuscular training program for the treatment of acute ankle sprains in general practice: design of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Ankle sprains are one of the most frequent injuries of the musculoskeletal system, with yearly around 680.000 new sprains in The Netherlands. Of these, about 130.000 people will visit the general practitioner (GP) each year. In addition, patients have an increased risk of a recurrent ankle sprain and about a third report at least one re-sprain. No optimal treatment strategy has proven to be effective in general practice, however promising results were achieved in a preventive trial among athletes. Therefore, the objective is to examine the (cost)-effectiveness of an unsupervised e-health supported neuromuscular training program in combination with usual care in general practice compared to usual care alone in patients with acute ankle sprains in general practice. METHOD/DESIGN: This study is a multi-center, open-label randomized controlled trial, with a one-year follow-up. Patients with an acute lateral ankle sprain, aged between 14 and 65 years and visiting the GP within three weeks of injury are eligible for inclusion. Patients will be randomized in two study groups. The intervention group will receive, in addition to usual care, a standardized eight-week neuromuscular training program guided by an App. The control group will receive usual care in general practice alone. The primary outcome of this study is the total number of ankle sprain recurrences reported during one year follow-up. Secondary outcomes are subjective recovery after one year follow-up, pain at rest and during activity, function, return to sport, cost-effectiveness and compliance of the intervention. Measurements will take place monthly for the study period of 12 months after baseline measurement. DISCUSSION: For general practitioners the treatment of acute ankle sprains is a challenge. A neuromuscular training program that has proven to be effective for athletes might be a direct treatment tool for acute ankle sprains in general practice. Positive results of this randomized controlled trial can lead to changes in practice guidelines for general practitioners. In addition, since this training program is e-health supported, positive results can also lead to a novel way of injury prevention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Dutch Trial Registration: NTR4765.

Effectiveness of the PLAYgrounds programme on PA levels during recess in 6-year-old to 12-year-old children.

AIMS: Worldwide levels of daily physical activity (PA) in children are low. This has negative health consequences. Schools have been recognised as key settings to promote PA. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the playground programme PLAYgrounds on increasing PA. METHODS: PLAYgrounds was evaluated by a controlled trial, with a follow-up during one school year (10 months). Accelerometer data were collected on 1500 children in total, divided over 19 sampling moments (every 2 weeks). SOPLAY data were collected at nine sampling moments (once a month). Four intervention and four control schools were matched for playground size, number of pupils and PA levels at baseline. The intervention consisted of restructuring the playground by playground markings and by encouragement of the active use of the playground, through the provision of play equipment and educational measures such as adult encouragement and supporting physical education classes. Multilevel regression analyses were performed to analyse the effects of the intervention. RESULTS: PA levels in the intervention group (moderate PA) were significantly different (p<0.001) from the control group (light PA). During the intervention on an average 77.3% of the children engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in the intervention group and 38.7% in the control group. The effect of the intervention was significantly stronger for girls than for boys (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The PLAYgrounds programme was effective in increasing PA levels in children during recess over the course of one school year. Thus, the programme could be used to provide structured PA promotion.

Sports injury prevention in your pocket?! Prevention apps assessed against the available scientific evidence: a review.

BACKGROUND: High costs and personal burden follow sports and physical activity-related injuries (SPRI). The last decades' knowledge on how to prevent SPRIs has grown. Past years' eHealth is emerging and mobile applications (apps) helping to prevent SPRIs are appearing. AIM: To review the content of iPhone and iPad apps containing a claim to prevent sports and physical activity-related injuries and to appraise this claim against best available scientific evidence. METHODS: The US iTunes App Store was searched using the keywords 'injury', 'prevention' and 'rehabilitation'. Apps within the categories 'health & fitness', 'sports' and 'medical' containing a preventive claim in the app name, description or screenshots were included. Claims were extracted and a search for best available evidence was performed. RESULTS: Eighteen apps met our inclusion criteria. Four of these apps contained claims for which evidence was available: three apps covered ankle sprains and provided information on taping or neuromuscular training. Of these three apps, one app also provided information on prevention of dental injury with mouth guards. One app provided a routine to prevent anterior cruciate ligament injury. The main focus of the five apps was running injury prevention; for their content evidence of absence of efficacy was found. For nine apps no evidence supporting their content was found. CONCLUSIONS: f 18 apps included, only four contained claims that could be supported by available literature and five apps contained false claims. This lack of scientifically sound apps provides an opportunity for caretakers to develop apps with evidence-based claims to prevent SPRIs.

Bracing superior to neuromuscular training for the prevention of self-reported recurrent ankle sprains: a three-arm randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Ankle sprain is the most common sports-related injury with a high rate of recurrence and associated costs. Recent studies have emphasised the effectiveness of both neuromuscular training and bracing for the secondary prevention of ankle sprains. AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of combined bracing and neuromuscular training, or bracing alone, against the use of neuromuscular training on recurrences of ankle sprain after usual care. METHODS: 384 athletes, aged 18-70, who had sustained a lateral ankle sprain, were included (training group n=120; brace group n=126; combi group n=138). The training group received an 8-week home-based neuromuscular training programme, the brace group received a semirigid ankle brace to be worn during all sports activities for 12 months, and the combi group received both the training programme, as well as the ankle brace, to be worn during all sports activities for 8 weeks. The main outcome measure was self-reported recurrence of the ankle sprain. RESULTS: During the 1-year follow-up, 69 participants (20%) reported a recurrent ankle sprain: 29 (27%) in the training group, 17 (15%) in the brace group and 23 (19%) in the combi group. The relative risk for a recurrent ankle sprain in the brace group versus the training group was 0.53 (95% CI 0.29 to 0.97). No significant differences were found for time losses or costs due to ankle sprains between the intervention groups. CONCLUSIONS: Bracing was superior to neuromuscular training in reducing the incidence but not the severity of self-reported recurrent ankle sprains after usual care.

Dose-response effects of a Web-based physical activity program on body composition and metabolic health in inactive older adults: additional analyses of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Low physical activity is a major risk factor for several age-related diseases. Recently, we showed in a randomized controlled trial that a 12-week Web-based intervention (Philips DirectLife) to increase physical activity was effective in increasing physical activity levels and metabolic health in an inactive population aged 60-70 years. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this paper was to assess how many participants successfully reached the physical activity level as targeted by the intervention and what the effects of the intervention on body composition and metabolic health in these successful individuals were to provide insight in the maximum attainable effect of the intervention. METHODS: Among the 235 participants in a randomized controlled trial of the Actief en Gezond Oud (AGO) study, we assessed the effects of the intervention on metabolic parameters in those who had successfully reached their personalized physical activity target compared with the entire intervention group. Furthermore, we studied the dose-response effect of increase in physical activity on metabolic outcome within the intervention group. RESULTS: Of the intervention group, 50 of 119 (42.0%) participants successfully reached the physical activity target (corresponding to a 10% increased daily physical activity on average). This group showed markedly higher effects of the intervention compared to the entire intervention group, with greater decreases in body weight (2.74 vs 1.49 kg), waist circumference (3.74 vs 2.33 cm), insulin resistance (HOMA index: 0.23 vs 0.20), and in cholesterol/HDL ratio (0.39 vs 0.20) and Framingham risk score (0.90% vs 0.54%). We found that men compared to women were more likely to be successful. The dose-response analysis showed that there was a significant association between increase in minutes spent in moderate-to-vigorous activity and body weight loss, BMI reduction, waist circumference reduction, HDL cholesterol increasing, and cholesterol/HDL ratio lowering. CONCLUSIONS: Of the intervention group, 42.0% (50/119) reached their daily physical activity end goal, which was associated with a markedly better effect on body composition and metabolic health compared to the effect in the entire intervention group. In this population, men are more likely to be successful in increasing physical activity. Findings demonstrate that improving the effect of such physical activity interventions requires finding new ways to increase the proportion of the population reaching the targeted goal. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Dutch Trial Registry: NTR 3045; http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=3045 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6KPw52dCc).

More than Just Workload-Personnel's Perspective on Workload at the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee: A Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the perspective on workload within the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, part of the Dutch armed forces. METHODS: This qualitative study follows an emergent design based on grounded theory principles and used semistructured interviews and focus groups with 91 Royal Netherlands Marechaussee employees. The interviews ( n = 31) and focus groups ( n = 14) were transcribed verbatim and analyzed by two researchers (C.B. and J.v.d.Z.) according to comparative data analysis. RESULTS: Participants believed the perception of workload to be more important than the actual workload. Furthermore, participants mentioned that indirect factors, such as organizational factors and recruitment, could modulate their workload perception. CONCLUSIONS: The perception of workload is key within the context of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee. Modifiable factors related to the perceived workload could facilitate employee well-being without reducing the actual workload.

Fostering active choice to empower behavioral change to reduce cardiovascular risk: A web-based randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of an active choice (AC) intervention based on creating risk and choice awareness-versus a passive choice (PC) control group-on intentions and commitment to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk-reducing behavior. METHODS: Adults aged 50-70 (n = 743) without CVD history participated in this web-based randomized controlled trial. The AC intervention included presentation of a hypothetical CVD risk in a heart age format, information about CVD risk and choice options, and a values clarification exercise. The PC group received a hypothetical absolute numerical CVD risk and brief information and advice about lifestyle and medication. Key outcomes were reported degree of active choice, intention strength, and commitment to adopt risk-reducing behavior. RESULTS: More AC compared to PC participants opted for lifestyle change (OR = 2.86, 95%CI:1.51;5.44), or lifestyle change and medication use (OR = 2.78, 95%CI:1.42;5.46), than 'no change'. No differences were found for intention strength. AC participants made a more active choice than PC participants (ß = 0.09, 95%CI:0.01;0.16), which was sequentially mediated by cognitive risk perception and negative affect. AC participants also reported higher commitment to CVD risk-reducing behavior (ß = 0.32, 95%CI:0.04;0.60), mediated by reported degree of active choice. CONCLUSIONS: Fostering active choices increased intentions and commitment towards CVD risk-reducing behavior. Increased cognitive risk perception and negative affect were shown to mediate the effect of the intervention on degree of active choice, which in turn mediated the effect on commitment. Future research should determine whether fostering active choice also improves risk-reducing behaviors in individuals at increased CVD risk in real-life settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05142280. Prospectively registered.

Implementing Individually Tailored Prescription of Physical Activity in Routine Clinical Care: A Process Evaluation of the Physicians Implement Exercise = Medicine Project.

BACKGROUND: Although the prescription of physical activity in clinical care has been advocated worldwide, in the Netherlands, "Exercise is Medicine" (E = M) is not yet routinely implemented in clinical care. METHODS: A set of implementation strategies was pilot implemented to test its feasibility for use in routine care by clinicians in 2 departments of a university medical center. An extensive learning process evaluation was performed, using structured mixed methods methodology, in accordance with the Reach, Effect, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance framework. RESULTS: From 5 implementation strategies employed (education, E = M tool embedded in the electronic medical records, lifestyle coach situated within the department, overviews of referral options, and project support), the presence of adequate project support was a strong facilitator of the implementation of E = M. Also, the presence of the lifestyle coach within the department seemed essential for referral rate. Although clinicians appreciated the E = M tool, barriers hampered its use in practice. CONCLUSIONS: Specific implementation strategies, tailored to the setting, are effective in facilitating the implementation of E = M with specific regard to education for clinicians on E = M, deployment of a lifestyle coach within a department, and project coordination. Care providers do see a future for lifestyle coaches who are structurally embedded in the hospital, to whom they can easily refer.

The relation between body mass index and musculoskeletal symptoms in the working population.

BACKGROUND: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the association between BMI and musculoskeletal symptoms in interaction with physical workload. In addition, it was aimed to obtain insight into whether overweight and obesity are associated with an increase in occurrence of symptoms and/or decrease in recovery from symptoms. METHODS: Based on a large working population sample (n = 44,793), using the data from The Netherlands Working Conditions Survey (NWCS), logistic regression analyses were carried out to investigate the association between BMI and musculoskeletal symptoms, with adjustment for potential confounders. Longitudinal data from the Netherlands Working Conditions Cohort Study (NWCCS) of 7,909 respondents was used for the second research aim (i.e., to investigate the transition in musculoskeletal symptoms). RESULTS: For high BMI an increased 12-month prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms was found (overweight: OR 1.13, 95% CI: 1.08-1.19 and obesity: OR 1.28, 95% CI: 1.19-1.39). The association was modified by physical workload, with a stronger association for employees with low physical workload than for those with high physical workload. Obesity was related to developing musculoskeletal symptoms (OR 1.37, 95% CI: 1.05-1.79) and inversely related to recovery from symptoms (OR 0.76, 95% CI: 0.59-0.97). CONCLUSION: BMI was associated with musculoskeletal symptoms, in particular symptoms of the lower extremity. Furthermore, the association differed for employees with high or low physical workload. Compared to employees with normal weight, obese employees had higher risk for developing symptoms as well as less recovery from symptoms. This study supports the role of biomechanical factors for the relationship between BMI and symptoms in the lower extremity.

Prevention of fall-related injuries in 7-year-old to 12-year-old children: a cluster randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: To counteract the recently observed increase in forearm fractures in children worldwide, an educational programme to improve fall skills was developed. In this 8-week programme children learned basic martial arts falling techniques in their physical education classes. In this study, the effectiveness of this educational programme to improve fall skills was evaluated. METHODS: A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted in 33 primary schools. The intervention group received the educational programme to improve falling skills during their physical education (PE) classes whereas the control group received their regular PE curriculum. At baseline (October 2009) and follow-up (May 2010), a questionnaire was completed by the children about their physical activity behaviours. Furthermore, fall-related injuries were registered continuously during an entire school-year. RESULTS: A total of 36 incident injuries was reported in the intervention group, equalling an injury incidence density (IID) of 0.14 fall-related injuries per 1000 h of physical activity (95% CI 0.09 to 0.18). In contrast, 96 injuries were reported by the control group corresponding to an IID of 0.26 (95% CI 0.21 to 0.32). However, because intracluster correlation was high (ICC=0.46), differences in injury incidence were not statistically significant. When activity level was taken into account, a trend was shown suggesting that the 'falling is a sport' programme was effective in decreasing falling-related injury risk, but only in the least active children. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Although results did not reach significance because of strong clustering effects, a trend was found suggesting that a school-based educational programme to improve falling skills may be more beneficial for the prevention of falling-related injuries in children with low levels of habitual physical activity.

Costing an injury prevention program in amateur adult soccer.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the injury-related societal costs of an injury prevention program with usual warm up programs for amateur adult male soccer players. DESIGN: Cost effectiveness analysis of a cluster-randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Regional amateur male soccer competitions in the Netherlands during the 2009 season. Cost estimates in the Netherlands are made in 2009 Euros (&OV0556;1.00∼US$1.43 in late 2009). PARTICIPANTS: Soccer teams from 2 first-class competitions (the second-highest Dutch amateur level) were approached. Male players aged between 18 and 40 years, who were part of the first team at the start of the season, were eligible for inclusion. Twenty-three teams including 479 players were randomized and 456 (95%) were included in the analysis. INTERVENTION: The injury prevention program was The11, which includes 10 structured exercises developed by the FIFA Medical and Research Centre. The exercises, led by trained coaches, were designed to improve the stability, strength, co-ordination, and flexibility of the trunk, hip, and leg muscles and were performed 2 or 3 times per week as warm-up sessions. Compliance with the exercises was monitored randomly by the researchers. The control teams continued their usual warm-up routines. During the season, individual participants' exposure to training sessions or matches (in minutes) was reported weekly by the coaches. All participants completed questionnaires that included playing and injury history and current occupation and hours worked. Employment (vs studying) was nonsignificantly more common in the control group than the intervention group (68% vs 56%). MAIN COST AND OUTCOME MEASURES: Costs included those of the intervention, direct healthcare costs of injury, and indirect costs such as hours of work lost, which were recorded on a recovery form. Injuries occurring during the competition season were recorded weekly by the paramedical staff of the team. An injury was defined as a physical complaint sustained by a participant that resulted from a soccer training session or soccer match, whether or not there was lost time from soccer or need for medical attention. Full recovery was defined as participation throughout a training or match session. MAIN RESULTS: The players' injury rates were almost identical in the intervention and control groups (0.93 vs 0.94, representing 60.5% and 59.7% of players). The mean cost of The11, per player, was &OV0556;14 for the intervention group and &OV0556;0 for the control group. Direct healthcare costs per player were not significantly lower in the intervention group (difference, &OV0556;-44; 95% confidence interval [CI], -17 to 111). Indirect costs were lower in the intervention group (difference, &OV0556;-172; 95% CI, -352 to -28). The total cost per player was also lower in The11 group (difference, &OV0556;-201; 95% CI, -426 to -15). Direct health care costs per injured player were not significantly lower in the intervention group (difference, &OV0556;-76; 95% CI, -285 to 18). Indirect costs were lower in The11 group (difference, &OV0556;-288; 95% CI, -589 to -49). The total per injured player was, therefore, lower in The11 group (difference, &OV0556;-350; 95% CI, -733 to -51). CONCLUSIONS: The injury prevention strategy, The11, did not lower the rate of injuries in adult male soccer players, but the costs per player and per injured player were lower in the intervention group.