Effectiveness of an E-Health Tennis-Specific Injury Prevention Programme: Randomised Controlled Trial in Adult Recreational Tennis Players.

BACKGROUND:Despite reported injury rates of up to 3 per 1000 hours exposure, there are no evidence-based prevention programmes in tennis.PURPOSE:To evaluate the effectiveness of an e-health prevention programme for reducing tennis injury prevalence.STUDY DESIGN:Two-arm, researcher-blinded randomised controlled trial.METHODS:Adult tennis players of all playing levels were randomised in an unsupervised programme lasting 12 weeks (TennisReady group or control group). The primary outcome was the overall injury prevalence over a 16-week period, measured at 2 weekly intervals with the Oslo Sports and Trauma Research Centre questionnaire. Estimates for the primary outcome and associated 95% CIs were obtained using generalised estimating equation models. Secondary outcome scores included prevalence of substantial injuries, overall incidence, adherence and time-loss injuries.RESULTS:A total of 579 (83%) (TennisReady n=286, control n=293) participants were included in the primary analysis. The mean injury prevalence was 37% (95% CI 33% to 42%) in the TennisReady vs 38% (95% CI 34% to 42%) in the control group (adjusted p-value 0.93). The prevalence of substantial injuries was 11% (95% CI 9% to 14%) in the TennisReady vs 12% (95% CI 9% to 15%) in the control group (p value of 0.79). Analysis of the secondary outcome scores showed no difference between groups. The mean prevalence rates between high (8%) and low (92%) adherent groups were 32% (95% CI 23% to 44%) and 37% (95% CI 33% to 42%), respectively (p value 0.36).CONCLUSION:Providing an unsupervised e-health tennis-specific exercise programme did not reduce the injury rates and should not be implemented.TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:NTR6443.