Co-development, implementation, and evaluation of GEARbox PRIME: a mind-body sport injury prevention program for competitive collegiate cheer student-athletes

Abstract

Objectives: While utilization of mental skills to mitigate biopsychosocial sport injury risk factors are well documented (Gledhill et al., 2021; Williams & Andersen, 1998), barriers exist to implementing sport injury prevention (SIP) programs in-the-field. Current literature recommends one solution is to co-develop SIP programs with end-users to account for the unique “content” and “context” of each team (Benjaminse & Verhagen, 2021), but few SIP studies have explored this recommendation. The overall aim of this dissertation was to collaborate with key end-users to co-develop, implement, and evaluate a mental skills and integrative health and healing program for SIP in a collegiate cheerleading team. Methods: Utilizing a mixed methods approach, three sequential phases were conducted, informed by a multi-step action research design. Frist, focus groups were conducted to understand the needs of the cheerleaders. The SIP program was developed based on the needs assessment and was implemented with the team. Second, immediate and long-term effectiveness were evaluated using validated questionnaires. Third, the study concluded following a one-time Action Workshop to further understand the program’s effectiveness/adherence and evaluate the action research process. Results: Areas of need identified by cheerleaders included learning to react more optimally to stress and enhance their ability to cope with sport/life demands. A 10-session SIP mental skills and integrative health and healing program was designed to address these needs. Following completion the SIP program, cheerleaders reported feeling significantly less vulnerability toinjury; less worry, stress, and sport performance anxiety; and better coping and recovery skills. In the Action Workshop, cheerleaders reported continued use of the various techniques learned in both sport and life situations. Conclusions: Including the cheerleaders throughout the SIP program development allowed for the creation of a program that addressed their unique needs and lessened feelings of vulnerability to injury. The program provided them with resources to train and compete more safely; cope and recover better; and feel empowered to continue taking charge of their overall health and well-being, in and out of sport.