Development of a novel field-based lower-limb neuromuscular screening tool for use by technical coaches within female grassroots youth football.

Sheldon, Alex Michael

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Development of a novel field-based lower-limb neuromuscular screening tool for use by technical coaches within female grassroots youth football.

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Sheldon, Alex Michael (2025) Development of a novel field-based lower-limb neuromuscular screening tool for use by technical coaches within female grassroots youth football. Doctoral thesis, University of Gloucestershire. doi:10.46289/XBZL9057

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Abstract

Female football is a fast-growing global sport. Female players are at higher risk of certain injuries compared to males, yet research predominantly focuses on the male game. Dysfunctional movement patterns during adolescence are a key injury mechanism in female footballers. Neuromuscular screening tools (NSTs) have been used to identify high-risk young female players, but there is no consensus on the best screen for adolescent female footballers. Additionally, little research explores whether volunteer grassroots coaches without sport science support can effectively use NSTs. This thesis documents a pilot study exploring the feasibility and initial outcomes of a novel field based NST and continued professional development (CPD) session tailored for volunteer grassroots coaches of female adolescent footballers, evaluated using the RE-AIM framework. An initial online survey was conducted with grassroots coaches (n=111), followed by in-depth interviews with coaches of female adolescent footballers (n=8). A co-production focus group (n=2) refined the NST based on coaches' input. The resultant hybrid NST combined an online session (oNST) and an in-person session (inNST). The oNST included demonstrative videos with ongoing assessment via closed and open-ended questions. The oNST significantly improved self-reported knowledge and confidence, with participants (n=36) answering most questions correctly. However, there were no volunteers for the inNST, preventing full evaluation of the hybrid CPD session. ii The thesis concluded that while the oNST effectively improved knowledge, confidence, and perceptions, the CPD session's overall reach could be improved. The lack of inNST participation raises questions about the effectiveness of a hybrid approach. Future research should build on the inNST structure to create synchronous online sessions, integrated with the effective oNST. This blended approach could foster a Community of Practice to investigate the longitudinal impact of NST CPD sessions on volunteer coaches of female adolescent footballers. This research is a novel effort to address the real-world need for an NST CPD session tailored for volunteer coaches of grassroots female footballers.

Item Type:

Thesis (Doctoral)

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