Barriers to Injury Prevention in University-Level Contact Sports
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70411/MJHAS.3.2.2026377Keywords:
Injuries, Contact sports, Prevention, Warm-up, Cool-down, University of the Western Cape (UWC)Abstract
Injuries affecting the musculoskeletal system impact over 40% of active individuals annually. In university settings, athletes face high risks during matches especially in contact sports like football where injury rates can reach 36 per 1,000 hours. While evidence-based strategies like neuromuscular training and proper warm-up/cool-down routines can reduce injury risk by 50%, implementation remains inconsistent.
This study aimed to explore the knowledge and adoption of injury prevention strategies among student-athletes and to identify barriers to their implementation. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted between September 2016 and September 2017 with 101 student-athletes at UWC using purposive and convenience sampling. Data were collected via validated questionnaires focusing on sociodemographic and preventive practices. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 24.
The sample was predominantly aged 20 – 24 (58.4%), with 1–2 years of experience (65.6%). Football was the most common sport (49.5%). While players recognised doctors/physiotherapists (72.4%) and coaches (50%) as vital knowledge sources, practical application was hindered by structural barriers. Specifically, 59% of athletes skipped warm-ups due to lack of time, and 31% neglected cool-downs due to exhaustion.
Despite trusting medical advice, university athletes skip injury prevention due to time constraints and exhaustion.
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