Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Implementation of the BokSmartSafe SixInjury Prevention Programme: a study protocol.
The injury burden in rugby union ('rugby') is high. While exercise-based injury prevention programmes have successfully reduced injuries in other sports such as football, there is minimal research on this topic in rugby union.



To evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of an exercise-based intervention (BokSmartSafe Six) in junior rugby players that aims to reduce the injury risk profile and burden of injury.



14-16-year-old junior rugby players in two geographically separated locations in South Africa over the 2017 rugby playing season.



A cluster-randomised controlled trial where the teams are allocated to groups that either (1) have a coach-delivered exercise intervention in their warm-up (BokSmartSafe Six) or (2) continue with their warm-up 'as usual' (control group). Injury risk profiles will be assessed through musculoskeletal screening on all players performed at the beginning, middle and end of the trial. Epidemiological measurements include injury surveillance at all matches and training sessions, and exposure to the various warm-up exercises (including BokSmartSafe Sixexercises). Behavioural determinants of coaches will be assessed through standardised theory of planned behaviour questionnaires and focus groups before and after the intervention.



Comparison in injury risk profiles and burden of injury between the intervention and control groups. Changes in the behavioural determinants of coaches.



PACTR201608001730223. Pre-Results.
Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Nicola
N
Sewry
Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.|Department of Public and Occupational Health and EMGO+ Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Evert
E
Verhagen
Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.|Department of Public and Occupational Health and EMGO+ Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Mike
M
Lambert
Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.|Department of Public and Occupational Health and EMGO+ Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Willem
W
van Mechelen
Division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.|Department of Public and Occupational Health and EMGO+ Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
James
0000-0002-7778-7783
J
Brown
D000293:Adolescent; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012574:Schools; D013019:South Africa