The Use of IPP and the Impact on Team Performance in High School Sports: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Varsity Coaches

OBJECTIVE: To establish if using an injury prevention program (IPP) was associated with team performance measures in high school varsity sports. DESIGN: Cross-sectional anonymous survey METHODS: A survey was sent via email to 1686 high school varsity coaches in Minnesota with 443 responses; 412 were included in the final analysis. Coaches reported win-loss record, progress in the postseason, and use of and compliance with an injury prevention program. RESULTS: Teams that reported using an IPP for at least half of the season had a higher winning percentage (59% vs 52%, p=0.050) and a higher rate of making it past the first round of postseason play (68% vs 48%, p=0.014) compared to teams that did not use a formal IPP. CONCLUSION: There was a positive relationship between the use of a formal IPP and team performance. This team-level benefit of IPP may improve the use of IPP in high school teams. JOSPT Open 2025;3(3):327-332. Epub 4 March 2025. https://doi.org/10.2519/josptopen.2025.0097