Effectiveness of a school-based physical activity injury prevention program: a cluster randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of a school-based injury prevention program on physical activity injury incidence and severity.


METHODS
Cluster randomized controlled trial performed from January 1, 2006, through July 31, 2007.


METHODS
Forty Dutch primary schools.


METHODS
A total of 2210 children (aged 10-12 years).


METHODS
Schools were randomized to receive either the regular curriculum or an intervention program that targeted physical activity injuries.


METHODS
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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Collard
Dorine C M
DC
Department of Public Health, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Verhagen
Evert A L M
EA
Chinapaw
Mai J M
MJ
Knol
Dirk L
DL
van Mechelen
Willem
W
D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003479:Curriculum; D003710:Demography; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D015995:Prevalence; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D012574:Schools; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*