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 versus 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 versus 12% (95% CI 9% to 15%) in the control group (p value = 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.
Reproduced with permission from the BMJ Publishing Group.

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