FIFA 11+ injury prevention program: Knowledge, attitudes, and practice of Ghanaian divisional football clubs’ coaches and players

ABSTRACT Background: The effectiveness of FIFA 11+ as an evidence-based program to reduce the risk of injuries in soccer players has been established, but its adoption among Ghanaian soccer clubs remains unclear. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Ghanaian divisional soccer club coaches and players regarding the FIFA 11+ program. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 84 participants (coaches – 9.5%, medical personnel – 2.4%, and athletes – 88.1%). Data collection involved a structured questionnaire adopted from O’Brien and Finch’s (2017) framework, assessing injury perceptions and FIFA 11+ usage. Results: Knowledge of the FIFA 11+ program stood at 52.4%, and 50% of those familiar with it reported active use. The findings revealed that 98.8% of participants acknowledged the high risk of lower-limb injuries, with 91.7% recognizing their negative impact on team performance. 77.4% believed the program could be improved, while 66.7% expressed interest in a team-specific adaptation. Eighty percent of the participants felt the program had injury prevention benefits, but the majority suggested modifications to tailor it to their teams’ needs. Conclusions: A majority of the study participants were familiar with the content of the FIFA 11+ program, and a significant number believed in its effectiveness for preventing lower-limb injuries. It was recommended that more attention be given to its implementation across the tiers of football in Ghana.