Applying systems thinking approaches to investigate the complex interrelationships of risk factors affecting acute non-contact lower limb injuries in team sports (PhD Academy Award)

Abstract

The primary purpose of my PhD is to employ systems thinking and system dynamics methodologies to investigate the complex interrelationships among injury risk factors affecting acute non-contact lower-limb injuries, with a particular focus on hamstring injuries. First, I used qualitative Causal Loop Modelling (CLD) to evaluate the ‘bigger picture’ of intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors’ interrelationships that lead to hamstring injury. Second, I employed Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to quantitatively assess the intrinsic risk factors’ interrelationships and their effects on (1) hamstring injuries and (2) the frequency of all acute non-contact lower limb injuries. As sports injuries, such as hamstring injuries, remain a significant problem,1 the existing evidence provides unclear conclusions regarding the linear association between isolated risk factors and sports injuries.2 For this reason, recent studies have proposed incorporating methodologies that assess the dynamic and complex interrelationships between risk factors and their effects on injury.2 3 However, until now, few studies have investigated sports injuries from a systems-thinking perspective.2 3 Systems-thinking methods such as system dynamics can enhance our understanding of the embedded complexity of sports injuries and provide better solutions for injury prevention.4 First, I conducted a qualitative study to formulate a …