SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY

1. WHY IS THIS RESEARCH STUDY BEING DONE?

The rate of occurrence of sport-related injuries is high among young individuals and the consequences of these injuries, including socioeconomic burden, physical inactivity, obesity, and future joint osteoarthritis, are of major concern. Reducing the risk of injuries in youth sport is essential to protect the present and future health of participants. Using a community-based participatory research approach, we intend to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based Musculoskeletal Athletic injury Prevention training course (MAP) for Coaches in improving youth football coaches’ knowledge of football-related musculoskeletal injury prevention and their motivation in implementing evidence-based warm-up exercises towards reducing injuries in their players.

2. WHAT AM I BEING ASKED TO DO?

You will be asked to do the following:

i. Complete a 36-minute (pre-course survey = 8 minutes; training course = 25 minutes; post-course survey = 3 minutes) muscle, bone and joint injury prevention training course through a unique email link. You would be able to pause and resume the course in the event of an interruption; however, you would need to complete it within 3 days of starting the course. A reminder will be sent to your email on day 3 if needed.

ii. You will be invited to complete follow-up surveys after 6 and 12 months of completing the MAP for Coaches Online Course.

3. HOW LONG WILL I BE IN THE RESEARCH STUDY?

The time you may spend participating will last for about 12 to 15 months. However, you will only engage in research activities at the time of completing the MAP for Coaches course, at the 6-month follow-up (survey) and at the 12-month follow-up (survey).
This study is planned to begin in March 2023. Data collection is expected to last until December 2024 and data analysis and publications until July 2025.

4. WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

There are certain risks and discomforts that may occur if you take part in this research study. You may have potential discomfort while answering some of the questions in the study surveys.
As this study involves the use of your personal information (such as your name or email), there is a chance that a loss of confidentiality will occur. The researchers have procedures in place to prevent or lessen these risks, as described in section 7 of this form.
The research team is willing to discuss any questions you might have about these risks and discomforts.

5. ARE THERE BENEFITS TO BEING IN THIS RESEARCH STUDY?

You may benefit directly from participating in this research study. You may have an increased knowledge of the risk and prevention of injuries in their sport. The knowledge you gain from the study course may reduce the incidence of injuries in your players. In addition, this study may generate new knowledge that may inform effective real-world implementation strategies necessary for large-scale implementation and scale-up efforts for NMT warm-up programs in youth sports.

6. WHAT OTHER OPTIONS ARE THERE?

You can choose not to participate. If you decide not to participate, there will not be a penalty to you or loss of any benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. You may withdraw from this study at any time.

7. WILL MY INFORMATION BE KEPT PRIVATE?

The results of the research study may be published, but your name or identity will not be revealed, and your information will remain private. Results will be presented as aggregated data so that no individual’s identity will be known. All the information collected online through study mobile app will be encrypted in a secured server. To protect your information, the research team will assign you a study id (code number). Your name will be linked to the code number on a master list of those who take part in the study. This master list will be kept separate from your research data, so the research data cannot be linked directly to you. The master list will be kept electronically on a secure, password-protected network.
All internet data will be stored on secured Google Database i.e., FireStore Service/Firebase and all data stored on server will be encrypted.
The Saint Louis University Institutional Review Board (the Board that is responsible for protecting the welfare of persons who take part in research studies), or other University officials may review your research study records. State or federal laws or court orders may also require that information from your research study records be released.

8. WHAT ARE THE COSTS AND PAYMENTS?

You will not be paid for participating in this project. There will be no additional costs to you for taking part in this research study. All study related costs will be covered by the study team.

9. WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM INJURED BECAUSE I TOOK PART IN THIS RESEARCH STUDY?

If you believe that you are injured as a result of your participation in the research study, please contact the research study doctor and/or the Chairperson of the Institutional Review Board as stated in section 10.

10.WHO CAN I CALL IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions or concerns about this research study, or if you have any problems that occur from taking part in this research study, you may call the researcher Dr. Olu Owoeye at 314-977-8546 or email olu.owoeye@health.slu.edu.
If you have questions, concerns, or complaints about your rights as a research participant and would like to talk to someone not on the research team, please contact the Saint Louis University Institutional Review Board (IRB) at 314-977-7744 or irb@slu.edu.

11. WHAT ARE MY RIGHT SAND WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW AS A RESEARCH STUDY VOLUNTEER?

Your participation in this research study is voluntary. You may choose not to be a part of this research study. There will be no penalty to you if you choose not to take part. You may leave the research study at any time. The researcher will let you know of any new information that may affect whether you want to continue to take part in the research study.

12.AM I SURE THAT I UNDERSTAND?

I have read this consent document and have been able to ask questions and state any concerns. The researcher has responded to my questions and concerns. I believe I understand the research study and the potential benefits and risks that are involved.