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SHIELD: Sport Health Initiative for Effective Learning and Development

July 13, 2026

Project Overview

Sports injuries have a significant impact on performance and health, but preventive measures are often neglected. Drawing on theories of behavior change, the project seeks to understand and influence the adoption of preventive practices among athletes within the daily context of training and competition, taking into account both individual and environmental factors.

Phase 1

Objective:

  • Identify behaviors that reduce the risk of injury and their determinants

Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature review and a Delphi process will be conducted, which will inform the development of a tool that assesses injury prevention behaviors among athletes as well as their sociocognitive determinants (e.g., beliefs, motivations, barriers).

Phase 2

Objective:

  • Develop theory-based intervention tools

Methods:

  • In collaboration with researchers, healthcare professionals, performance experts, and athletes, tools (e.g., digital content, workshops, training programs, practical guides) will be developed to address the identified factors and to encourage positive behavioral changes among athletes, coaches, and healthcare professionals.

Phase 3

Objective:

  • Implement and monitor and evaluate the tools

Methods:

  • Develop a theory-based implementation strategy, drawing on implementation science, to promote the effective integration of the tools into the daily practices of sports organizations.
  • Evaluate the impact of the implementation strategy at various sports organizations through pilot studies and ongoing monitoring, refining the approach to optimize its effectiveness and scalability.

Expected Impact

This project aims to bridge the gap between research and practice by ensuring that injury prevention strategies are not only evidence-based but also practical, accessible, and tailored to the needs of diverse sports communities. SHIELD aims to support more than 10,000 athletes and reduce the impact of injuries on health and performance.

Partners: