Merete Møller

Associate Professor Department of Sports Medicine

Email: meretem@nih.no
Phone: +47 23 26 23 83

Download business card

Background and experience

Merete Møller is a physiotherapist and PhD from Aarhus University in Denmark.

Her own experiences as an elite European handball player on the Danish National Team, is what drives her to seek a better understanding of how the significant long term and short-term burden of injury can be reduced through injury prevention.

Her doctorial studies have demonstrated that a large weekly increase in handball participation is the primary risk factor for injury development, and how other physical characteristics may influence the weekly increase in handball participation a player can tolerate before an injury occur.

Merete is currently working 60% as a part of the Skadefri-team and 40% with research.

Teaching

Epidemiology, biostatistics, sports injuries.

Research

Risk factors and prevention of injuries in handball with a particular focus on shoulder and knee injuries.

Projects

Venzel, Nicklas Balle; Henriksen, Kristoffer; Møller, Merete & Storm, Louise Kamuk (2026). A Holistic Ecological Approach to Injury Prevention and Management in Youth Sport: A Scoping Review. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. ISSN 0905-7188. 36(7). doi: 10.1111/sms.70341. Full text in Research Archive
Pedersen, Julie Rønne; Mohammadnejad, Afsaneh; Møller, Merete; Storm, Louise Kamuk; Koes, Bart & Thorlund, Jonas Bloch (2026). Large variations in analgesic consumption patterns in youth elite athletes: a 28-week prospective cohort study. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. ISSN 1440-2440. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2026.05.008. Full text in Research Archive
Amundsen, Roar; Sjølie, Emilie Scholten; McKay, Carly; Gjesdal, Siv; Grindem, Hege & Myklebust, Grethe [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2026). The Development, Validation and Reliability of the Sports Injury Prevention Behavior Determinants Questionnaire. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. ISSN 0905-7188. 36(7). doi: 10.1111/sms.70329. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
ABSTRACT Valid data on behavioral determinants are essential to enhance adherence to injury prevention (IP) programs. This study reports the development and validation of the Sports Injury Prevention Behavior Determinants Questionnaire for youth handball and football players (12–17 years) and their coaches. Using the Health Action Process Approach framework, we followed consensus‐based guidelines, including conceptualisation, focus groups, cognitive interviews, and a cross‐sectional study for both players and coaches. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), reliability testing, and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed for the coach questionnaire only. Focus groups identified training load management, pain and injury management, and injury prevention training as key IP elements. These were integrated with relevant HAPA constructs during item development and refined through cognitive interviews. A cross‐sectional study (337 coaches, 528 players) and CFA informed the final coach version, which was subsequently evaluated using a test–retest design. PCA included 59 coaches while the reliability analysis included 45 due to drop out. Intraclass correlation coefficients indicated good reliability (> 0.75) for all constructs in the coach questionnaire, although self‐efficacy constructs showed small systematic differences (≤ 0.04; 95% CI 0.00 to 0.06). PCA led to minor refinements of the questionnaire. The Sports Injury Prevention Behavior Determinants Questionnaire is the first validated tool to assess IP behavioral determinants in youth handball and football coaches, with applicability across team sports. The player version followed the initial steps to ensure good face and content validity but requires refinement based on CFA and further reliability testing and PCA.
Jakobsen, Sarah Winther; Olsen, Kim Rose; Roos, Ewa M.; Kruse, Marie & Møller, Merete (2026). Differences in Total Healthcare Costs Among Injured and Non-Injured Danish Adolescent Handball Players: Data From the Health and Performance Promotion in Youth Sport (HAPPY) Cohort. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. ISSN 0905-7188. 36(3). doi: 10.1111/sms.70237. Full text in Research Archive
Heming, Emily E.; Gibson, Eric S.; Friesen, Kenzie B.; Martin, Chelsea L.; Martin, Maitland & Asker, Martin [Show all 21 contributors for this article] (2025). Prevention strategies and modifiable risk factors for upper extremity injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis for the Female, woman and/or girl Athlete Injury pRevention (FAIR) consensus. British Journal of Sports Medicine. ISSN 0306-3674. 59(22), p. 1587–1598. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2025-109907. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Objectives: To examine injury prevention strategies and potentially modifiable risk factors (MRFs) for upper extremity (UE) injuries in female, woman and/or girl athletes (female/woman/girl). Design: Systematic review with meta-analysis, semiquantitative analyses and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Data sources: MEDLINE (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online), CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), APA PsycINFO (American Psychological Association Psychological Information Database), SPORTDiscus (Sports Discus Database), EMBASE (Excerpta Medica Database), and ERIC (Education Resources Information Center) (30 October 2023) and Cochrane Systematic Review Database and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (25 November 2023). Eligibility: Primary data studies with comparison group(s) assessing the association of prevention strategies and/or MRFs for sport-related UE injury, with ≥1 female/woman/girl in each study group. Results: 55 studies (n=20 intervention, n=35 MRF) were included with 33 228 athletes (8642 female/woman/girl; 26%). Of these, 17 (31%) reported female/woman/girl-specific estimates and included five injury locations (n=3 general UE, n=12 shoulder, n=3 elbow, n=3 wrist/hand). One prevention strategy (n=5 shoulder-specific exercise programmes) and seven MRFs were identified, including less range of motion (n=6), less shoulder muscle strength (n=8), high training load (n=1), presence of scapular dyskinesis (n=3), high sport specialisation (n=2), equipment differences (n=1) and less sport-specific conditioning (n=1). Pooled data from three studies suggest that shoulder exercise programmes consisting of strength, stability/control and sport-specific exercises reduce shoulder injury rates by 51% (95% CI 0.30 to 079; I2 0.0%; very-low certainty evidence) across paediatric (≤18 years) and adult handball and volleyball players. Conclusions: Our understanding of female/woman/girl UE injury prevention is limited by heterogeneity across injury outcomes, interventions, MRFs and limited female/woman/girl athlete-specific data. Shoulder-specific strengthening and stability exercise programmes may be beneficial to reduce shoulder injury rates in female/woman/girl handball and volleyball players. Future research should prioritise female/woman/girl athletes to reduce the burden of UE injuries.
Bullock, Garrett S.; Räisänen, Anu M.; Martin, Chelsea; Martin, Maitland; Galarneau, Jean Michel & Whittaker, Jackie L. [Show all 32 contributors for this article] (2025). Prevention strategies for lower extremity injury: a systematic review and meta-analyses for the Female, woman and/or girl Athlete Injury pRevention (FAIR) consensus. British Journal of Sports Medicine. ISSN 0306-3674. 59(22), p. 1575–1586. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2025-109910. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Objective: Examine the effectiveness and unintended consequences of prevention strategies for reducing female/woman/girl athletes’ lower extremity (LE) injuries. Design: Systematic review with meta-analyses and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation. Data sources: Systematic search of eight data sources. Eligibility: Primary data studies with a comparison group(s) investigating injury prevention strategies for sport-related LE injuries with ≥1 female/woman/girl in each study group. Results: Across 82 studies—including 48 randomised controlled trials (59%), 16 quasiexperimental studies (20%), 16 cohort studies (20%) and 1 cross-sectional study (1%)—a total of 154 561 participants were included, of whom 84 915 (55%) were females/women/girls. Neuromuscular training (NMT)-based programmes (n=60, 73%) were the most frequently studied intervention, followed by personal protective equipment (PPE) (n=9, 11%), policy/rule change (n=4, 5%) and education (n=6, 7%). The median Downs and Black score for all studies was 17 (range: 5–24). Point estimate from pooled results from nine studies revealed that NMT programmes, which include LE balance, strength, agility and change of direction exercises, with a minimum dose of 10 min two times per week, reduced female/woman/girl athletes’ LE injuries by 19% (0.81, 95% CI 0.61% to 1.08%; low certainty evidence). Point estimate of pooled results from six studies uncovered that NMT reduced ankle sprains by 39% (0.61, 95% CI 0.36% to 1.03%; moderate certainty evidence). NMT significantly reduced anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries by 61% (0.39, 95% CI 0.25% to 0.60%; high certainty evidence). Conclusion: NMT programmes can reduce female/woman/girl athletes’ ACL injuries by up to 61% and ankle sprains by 39%, highlighting the need for widespread implementation of NMT programmes. Evidence informing PPE, policy/rule changes and education to prevent female/woman/girl athletes’ LE injuries is needed.
Frandsen, Jesper Schuster Brandt; Hulme, Adam; Parner, Erik Thorlund; Møller, Merete; Lindman, Ida & Abrahamson, Josefin [Show all 13 contributors for this article] (2025). How much running is too much? Identifying high-risk running sessions in a 5200-person cohort study. British Journal of Sports Medicine. ISSN 0306-3674. 59(17), p. 1203–1210. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2024-109380. Full text in Research Archive
Crossley, Kay M.; Whittaker, Jackie L.; Patterson, Brooke; Shill, Isla J.; Heming, Emily E. & Bullock, Garrett S. [Show all 25 contributors for this article] (2025). Female, woman and/or girl Athlete Injury pRevention (FAIR) practical recommendations: International Olympic Committee (IOC) consensus meeting held in Lausanne, Switzerland, 2025. British Journal of Sports Medicine. ISSN 0306-3674. 59, p. 1546–1559. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2025-110889. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Female, woman and/or girl athletes’ sport participation rates are rising and associated with high injury rates and burden. Using best-practice consensus methodology, we developed recommendations to guide injury prevention for female/woman/girl athletes. The Female/woman/girl Athlete Injury pRevention (FAIR) International Olympic Committee Consensus meeting was held from 31 March to 2 April 2025 (Lausanne, Switzerland). The FAIR Consensus followed an eight-step hybrid method. 109 authors from six continents conducted: (1) systematic reviews synthesising evidence on injury prevention strategies and modifiable risk factors for lower-extremity and upper-extremity injuries, concussions and spine/chest/abdominal/pelvic injuries/pain, (2) a scoping review synthesising dissemination and implementation (D&I) approaches; and (3) a concept mapping project generating knowledge on gender/sex-related factors for injury prevention. These projects underpinned draft recommendations subsequently voted on by a steering committee (n=24) and an external advisory committee chair over two anonymous survey rounds. Recommendations, Round 1 voting results and suggestions/dissenting comments were discussed between Round 1 and 2 voting. Consensus was defined as ‘critical to include’ (≥70% scored recommendation as 7–9 (9-point Likert scale, 1=not important; 9=critically important) AND ≤15% scored recommendation as 1–3). The 56 FAIR recommendations address: primary injury prevention (n=16) (policy/rules/laws=6; personal protective equipment=8; training=2); secondary injury prevention (n=4); modifiable risk factors (n=12); approaches to D&I (n=14); and promoting gender/sex-supportive environments (n=10). The FAIR Consensus informs evidence-based best practices and policy for injury prevention, approaches to implementation and creation of supportive environments for female/woman/girl athletes. Every person at all levels of sport can, and should, take responsibility for actions that positively influence female/woman/girl athlete health and safety.
Myklebust, Grethe; Nergaard, Kristine & Møller, Merete (2025). Sports Injury Patterns and Economic Consequences Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comprehensive Study of Norwegian Sports From 2017 to 2020 Using Insurance Data. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. ISSN 0905-7188. 35(10). doi: 10.1111/sms.70155. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Understanding injury rates and costs is crucial for targeted prevention, yet data across sports remain sparse. Furthermore, information on the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on injuries across sports is limited. This study aimed to describe injury incidence rates, injured body regions, costs, and mean cost per 1000 athlete year across different sports before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The study analyzed insurance data from licensed Norwegian athletes aged 13–50 years participating in football, handball, athletics, gymnastics, and swimming over a four‐year period (2017–2020). Injury incidence rates, body region, costs, and mean cost per 1000 athlete year, as well as differences in injury rates between sports, sex, age groups, before and during the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic were analyzed. Over the full study period, the highest injury incidence rates were found in athletics, followed by handball, compared to football, gymnastics, and swimming. Lower extremity injuries accounted for the highest incidence rates and costs across sports. Surgical interventions in handball and football accounted for more than half of the costs. Over one fifth of injuries in gymnastics led to permanent medical impairment. During the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic, the number of licensed athletes and incidence rates decreased, except for athletics, which experienced an increase in both. The findings highlight the need for targeted injury prevention measures, particularly in athletics and for lower extremity injuries in handball and football. The fact that one in five injuries in gymnastics resulted in medical impairment is a cause for concern. The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on sports participation and injury incidence underscores the influence of external factors on sports‐related injuries.
Moen, Christian; Myklebust, Grethe; Munkvold, Emilie Christina; Hägglund, Martin; Bahr, Roald & Møller, Merete [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2025). Why does it work? Proposed biomedical effect mechanisms of exercise-based injury prevention programmes in football (soccer) and handball: a scoping review of 104 studies. British Journal of Sports Medicine. ISSN 0306-3674. 59(20), p. 1435–1442. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2025-109802. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Objective To describe the proposed biomedical effect mechanisms in research on exercise-based injury prevention programmes in football (soccer) and handball. Design Scoping review of randomised controlled trials (RCT), cohort studies and case studies. Data sources MEDLINE via PubMed, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science databases were searched from 2000 to 2024. Eligibility criteria Studies were included if they described exercise-based injury prevention programmes in football (soccer) or handball and provided a biomedical rationale or proposition of effect mechanisms. Peer-reviewed studies of all ages and both sexes at elite, subelite or amateur level were eligible. Results We included 104 studies (78 RCTs, 25 cohort studies, 1 case study) with sample sizes ranging from 10 to 4556 participants. Most studies (83%) were published after 2010, and interventions were reported to have an effect in 82% of the studies. Four main themes emerged describing the proposed effect mechanisms: neuromuscular control (47%), strength (39%), range of motion (11%) and physical fitness (3%). Definitions of key terms related to the intervention were provided in only 19% of studies, measurements of specific biomedical effect mechanisms were conducted in just 59% of studies. Conclusion Neuromuscular control and strength were the predominant proposed effect mechanisms for injury prevention programmes in football and handball. To better establish effect mechanisms of exercise-based interventions, future research should consistently define key terms related to the interventions and strive to identify and test causal mechanisms to optimise injury prevention programmes.
Pedersen, Lisbeth Lund; Hartvigsen, Jan; Bjerg, Morten; Carstensen, Søren & Møller, Merete (2025). Health And Performance Promotion in Youth Sport (HAPPY): Concussion Incidence Rates, Initial Management, Symptoms, and Missed Activities in Danish Youth Handball Players. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. ISSN 0190-6011. 55(12), p. 779–787. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2025.13399. Full text in Research Archive
Sjølie, Emilie Scholten; McKay, Carly M.; Gjesdal, Siv; Grindem, Hege; Myklebust, Grethe & Bjørndal, Christian Thue [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2025). What lies behind injury prevention behaviour in youth handball and football? A cross-sectional nationwide study of behavioural constructs in 865 coaches and players. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. ISSN 1440-2440. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2025.10.009. Full text in Research Archive
Kåshagen, Ingvild; Amundsen, Roar; Moksnes, Håvard; Møller, Merete & Bahr, Roald (2025). #ReadyToPlay: Risk Factors in the Norwegian Women's Premier League Football—Perceptions and Priorities of Club Stakeholders. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. ISSN 0905-7188. 35. doi: 10.1111/sms.70099. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Women's premier league footballers have a high risk of injury. Risk management has been proposed as a framework for improving athlete health, through describing, assessing, and addressing potential risks. This article aim to describe the risks and risk factors for injury and illness that stakeholders in women's football perceive as important, their priorities and how they plan to address them. All key stakeholders in the 11 teams playing in the Norwegian women's premier league participated. They created a tailored risk management plan targeting the 2024 season, describing potential risks for injury and illness and their risk factors, as well as seasonal risks related to their training and match calendar. The risks were assessed individually, and a plan with preventive measures was created to address the prioritized risks. The teams identified 104 risks (49% team, 51% seasonal). Most risks were categorized as Training & match load (42) and Musculoskeletal (42). For these, 248 risk factors were identified; most were categorized as Training & match load (66), Staff & player‐related (55), Social/behavioral (52) and Equipment & facilities (47). Of the 104 risks, 61 were prioritized, and 231 preventive measures were planned to address them. The physiotherapist was responsible for 55% of these measures, while the remaining 45% were assigned to other team stakeholders. This study highlights the diversity of risks, risk factors, and planned preventive measures for injury and illness in Norwegian elite women's football. Addressing these issues requires a broad focus beyond physical factors and adopting a holistic approach involving all relevant team representatives.
Patterson, Brooke E.; McKay, Carly D.; Critchley, Meghan L.; Lutz, Destiny; Cowan, Sallie M. & Kolesky, Nicholas [Show all 29 contributors for this article] (2025). Dissemination and implementation of injury prevention interventions : a scoping review for the Femalle woman and girl Athlete Injury pRevention (FAIR) consensus. British Journal of Sports Medicine. ISSN 0306-3674. p. 1618–1632. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2025-109904. Full text in Research Archive
Hausken-Sutter, Solveig; Moen, Christian; Sjølie, Emilie Scholten; Bjørndal, Christian Thue; Myklebust, Grethe & Møller, Merete [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2025). #Utviklingsklar: a club-based intervention to develop plans and practices for injury prevention in youth sport-acceptability, practicality, possibilities and challenges among club leaders, coaches and workshop leaders. BMJ Open sport & exercise medicine. 11(4). doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2025-002766. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Effective youth sport injury interventions exist, but their use in applied settings is limited by low coach adherence and lack of contextual adaptation. To address this, the #Utviklingsklar intervention was developed, a club-based intervention for youth handball and football, based on interdisciplin …
Luteberget, Live Steinnes; Donaldson, Alex; Andersen, Lotte N.; Roos, Ewa M. & Møller, Merete (2025). The HAPPY concept mapping study: “To prevent injuries in young handball players it's important to…” – Perceptions among stakeholders. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. ISSN 1440-2440. 28(2), p. 125–131. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2024.09.004. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Objectives This study aimed to identify facilitators for implementing injury prevention initiatives in youth handball, and to assess stakeholders' perceptions of their importance and feasibility. Design Mixed-method concept mapping study. Methods Four stakeholder groups — coaches, administrators, health staff and players — participated in this mixed-method concept mapping study. Participants (n = 224; 19 % coaches, 22 % health staff, 63 % players, 18 % administrators) first provided statements about facilitators for implementing injury prevention initiatives in youth handball, then thematically grouped them (n = 47), before rating them (n = 57) for importance and feasibility (5-point Likert scales). Stakeholder-specific cluster maps and Go-Zone scatter plots were created. Statements rated above average for both importance and feasibility were considered as prioritized (Go-Zone 1). Results 87 unique statements were generated during brainstorming. Multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis resulted in similar sorting data clustering patterns for coaches, health staff, and administrators, which included federation strategies, club strategies, and coach and athlete education/knowledge. All clusters were rated > 3 on average ratings of importance by all stakeholder groups. Six statements were in Go-Zone 1 for all stakeholder groups, including three statements about coach knowledge and education. Players' importance and feasibility ratings had limited overlap with other stakeholder groups' Go-Zone 1 statements. Players' Go-Zone 1 statements mainly addressed individual load management and practical training setup. Conclusions Coach knowledge and education, alongside collaboration among stakeholder groups, are essential when implementing injury prevention initiatives in youth handball. Stakeholder groups have varying perspectives, underscoring the importance of understanding and addressing these diverse viewpoints when implementing injury prevention initiatives in youth handball.
Pedersen, Julie Rønne; Storm, Louise Kamuk; Larsen, Anders Christer; Møller, Merete; Koes, Bart & Mohammednejad, Afsaneh [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2025). It May Not Be the Smartest Thing to Do, but Sometimes It’s the Only Option: A Longitudinal Mixed-Methods Study of Analgesic Use in Youth Elite Athletes. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. ISSN 0190-6011. 55(5), p. 366–376. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2025.13015. Full text in Research Archive
Møller, Merete; Myklebust, Grethe; Möller, S.; Wedderkopp, N.; Lind, M. & Nielsen, R.O. (2025). Handball playing volume and knee injury risk in youth handball: the influence of sex. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. ISSN 1440-2440. 28, p. 365–369. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2025.01.013. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Objectives To investigate if sex modifies the association between change in weekly handball volume and knee injury risk in youth handball players. Design Prospective cohort study. Methods 679 players aged 14-18 reported weekly on any new handball-related knee injury and handball volume (training and competition hours) over 31 weeks through the SMS, phone and medical examination system. Weekly handball volume was categorized based on changes relative to the exponentially weighted moving average of handball volume the preceding four weeks: (1) less than 20% increase or decrease (reference group), (2) 20% and 60% increase and (3) increase greater than 60%. Players indicated their sex as a part of their baseline survey, identifying as either a female player or male player. Results Female players who increased their weekly handball volume by over 60 % had a knee injury risk of 31.2 % (95% confidence interval: 21.6–40.8 %) the following week compared to female players who increased their handball volume below 20 %, which was higher than that in male players whose risk was 10.5 % (95 % confidence interval: 2.1–18.8 %) corresponding to a risk difference of 20.6 %-points (95 % confidence interval: 6.5–34.6 %-points). Conclusions Female handball players aged 14–18 years were more susceptible to a handball-related knee injury following weeks with large increases in handball volume compared with age-identical males, suggesting a previously unexplored association between sex-related differences in load tolerance and knee injury risk that warrant further investigation. The provided cut points for increases in handball volume should be interpreted and used with caution.
Wik, Eirik Halvorsen; Skinstad, Deborah; Møller, Merete; Jacobs, Shaundré; Schwabe, Karen & Venter, Ranel [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2025). An adapted Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Questionnaire on Health Problems (OSTRC-H2) for adolescents validated through cognitive interviews of South African athletes. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. ISSN 1440-2440. 28, p. 626–635. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2025.03.009. Full text in Research Archive
Larsen, Anders Christer; Roos, Ewa Maria; Möller, Sören; Juhl, Carsten; Storm, Louise Kamuk & Kongsted, Alice [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2025). Health Problems in Danish Adolescent Handball Players: Findings From the One-Season Health and Performance Promotion in Youth Sport (HAPPY) Study of 945 Players Aged 11–17 Years. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. ISSN 0905-7188. 35(4). doi: 10.1111/sms.70048. Full text in Research Archive
Thorarinsdottir, Solveig; Johansen, Stian A. Isaksen; Elvestad, Tobias Ruud Askim; Amundsen, Roar; Bache-Mathiesen, Lena Kristin & Bahr, Roald [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2025). The Effect of an 8-Week Low- or High-Volume Protocol of the Adductor Strengthening Programme on Hip Adduction Strength in Female Football Players—A Randomized Trial. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. ISSN 0905-7188. 35(3), p. 1–12. doi: 10.1111/sms.70039. Full text in Research Archive
Pedersen, Julie Rønne; Møller, Merete; Storm, Louise Kamuk; Koes, Bart; Mohammadnejad, Afsaneh & Thorlund, Jonas Bloch (2024). Popping Pills in Youth Elite Sports—Fact or Fiction? A 36-Week Prospective Cohort Study of Analgesic Use in 1195 Youth Elite Athletes and Student Controls. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. ISSN 0190-6011. 54(8), p. 551–559. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2024.12407. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
OBJECTIVE: To investigate analgesic use in a cohort of Danish youth elite athletes and compare weekly analgesic use over 36 weeks to student controls. We also investigated and compared reasons for analgesic use and types of analgesics used. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Six hundred ninety youth elite athletes (44% females) and 505 student controls (59% females) (aged 15-20 years) provided weekly reports on analgesic use over 36 weeks. We asked about the number of days with analgesic use, reasons for use, and types of analgesics used. Prevalence and frequency of analgesic use was compared between youth elite athletes and student controls using mixed-effects logistic regression and mixed-effects Poisson regression models. Reasons for and types of analgesics used were compared between groups using chi-square tests. Subgroup analyses were performed, stratified by sex. RESULTS: Overall, athletes had lower odds of analgesic use (odds ratio = 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64 to 0.95) compared with student controls. The overall usage rate was similar between the groups (incidence rate ratio = 1.04; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.11). Subgroup analyses suggested no statistically significant differences in the odds of analgesic use. Significantly more athletes reported using analgesics to prevent or treat pain or injury in relation to sports participation and to use topical gels compared with student controls. CONCLUSION: Participating in youth elite sports was associated with lower odds of analgesic use compared to student controls, but usage rate was similar between the groups. Reasons for use and types of analgesics used differed between athletes and student controls.
Thorarinsdottir, Solveig; Amundsen, Roar; Larmo, Arne Feilberg; Pedersen, Roar; Andersen, Thor Einar & Bahr, Roald [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). Groin injuries in women's premier league football in Norway: A two-season prospective cohort study describing clinical and imaging characteristics. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. ISSN 0905-7188. 34(4). doi: 10.1111/sms.14611. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Objective To describe the prevalence, incidence, and burden of groin injuries in the Norwegian women's premier football league and to describe their clinical and imaging characteristics. Methods During the 2020 and 2021 seasons, players in the Norwegian women's premier league reported groin injuries weekly, using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Questionnaire on Health Problems (OSTRC-H2). We calculated weekly prevalence, incidence, and burden of groin injuries. The team physical therapists classified the player-reported injuries based on the Doha classification system. Injuries with more than 3 days' time loss or reported in 2 consecutive weeks were eligible for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results On average, 3.9% (95% CI: 3.4–4.4) of players reported a groin injury at any time; of which 78% caused time loss. The incidence rate was 1.6 injuries/1000 h (95% CI: 1.3–2.0) and their burden was 11 days lost/1000 h. The physical therapists examined 67 of 124 player-reported groin injuries (53%). Adductor-related injury was most common (55%) followed by iliopsoas (15%) and rectus femoris-related (12%). Pubic-related injuries caused most time loss (median: 24 days, IQR: 5–133). In this study, 42 injuries were investigated with MRI; 8 (19%) showed no changes, 6 (14%) an acute musculotendinous lesion, and 32 (76%) a nonacute finding (e.g., central symphyseal disc protrusion, tendinopathies). Conclusion The incidence rate and burden of groin injuries were high. Adductor-related injuries were most common, but pubic-related injuries caused most time loss. Most MRI examinations demonstrated nonacute findings.
Hoegh, Morten; Purcell, Ciaran; Møller, Merete; Wilson, Fiona & O’Sullivan, Kieran (2024). Not All Pain Is Caused by Tissue Damage in Sports. Should Management Change? Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. ISSN 0190-6011. 54(11), p. 681–686. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2024.12462. Full text in Research Archive
Engebretsen, Lars; Møller, Merete; Kooy, Caroline; Yamaguchi, Tetsuo & Moatshe, Gilbert (2024). The gender and sex data gap in anterior cruciate ligament injuries in paediatric patients. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy. ISSN 0942-2056. 32(10), p. 2500–2504. doi: 10.1002/ksa.12397. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a concerning problem in the paediatric population, impacting joint health and longevity. Moreover, ACL injury hampers physical activity, which is important for children's social network and general well-being. Recent data demonstrates a rise in paediatric ACL reconstructions, affecting both girls and boys. However, it is unclear whether this rise reflects a higher injury rate or a more proactive approach towards surgery, as information on nonoperated patients is lacking. Regarding gender differences, increasing evidence implies that girls engaged in pivoting sports experience a higher incidence of ACL injuries and reinjuries compared to boys. Furthermore, data suggest that girls have inferior outcomes and lower return-to-sport rates than boys. The social context in which girls compete in sports is likely a significant contributing factor to the risk of serious knee injuries. Lack of attention and insufficient data on gender-based differences in ACL injuries, outcomes and evidence-based treatment guidelines highlight the need for further research on this topic.
Bjørndal, Christian Thue; Hausken-Sutter, Solveig Elisabeth Sand; Møller, Merete; Myklebust, Grethe & Grindem, Hege (2024). Exploring the interplay of interpersonal and contextual dynamics in youth sports injuries: a comprehensive narrative review. BMJ Open sport & exercise medicine. 10(3). doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2024-001964. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Injuries are recognised in sports and exercise medicine as not isolated incidents but complex outcomes. This is because an athlete’s health trajectory is understood to be shaped by dynamic, complex linkages between individual performance, biology, and the wider social and cultural contexts and systems in which individuals perform. Despite this recognition, little attention has been paid to how interpersonal and contextual dynamics can potentially affect the risk of injury by influencing the choices and decisions made by coaches, parents and athletes. To address this gap, this narrative review bridges insights from sociocultural studies in sports with the findings of sports injury research. The narrative review aims to identify and summarise how interpersonal and contextual dynamics influence the risk of youth sports injuries. The results reveal the pressures faced by athletes, often leading to compromised health. Moreover, the review underscores the importance of designing complex interventions and strategies to promote healthier practices in youth sports. Specifically, intervention programmes should prioritise raising awareness of injury risks, cultivating effective communication skills and fostering supportive training environments.
Møller, Merete; Andersen, Lotte Nygaard; Möller, Sören; Kongsted, Alice; Juhl, Carsten B. & Roos, Ewa M. (2024). Health And Performance Promotion in Youth (HAPPY) hybrid effectiveness-implementation cluster randomised trial: comparison of two strategies to implement an injury prevention exercise programme in Danish youth handball. British Journal of Sports Medicine. ISSN 0306-3674. 58(20), p. 1205–1214. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-107880. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Objective: To investigate if a combination of an online and onsite implementation strategy was superior to an online-only strategy in enhancing the use of an injury prevention exercise programme (IPEP) and in reducing the risk of shoulder, knee and ankle injuries in youth community handball players (age 11–17) over a handball season. Methods: In this 30-week hybrid effectivenessimplementation cluster randomised type 3 study, 20 youth handball clubs were randomly assigned 1:1 to either a combined online and onsite implementation strategy (coach workshop using the health action process approach behaviour change model and health service provider (HSP) support) or an online-only strategy (control group). The primary implementation outcome was coach-reported adherence, measured as the average IPEP exercise usage by the team over 30 weeks. The primary effectiveness outcome was player-reported handball playing time to any new handball-related shoulder, knee and ankle injuries, reported weekly using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Questionnaire on Health Problems. Results: We enrolled 63 coaches (27% women) and 945 players (mean age 14.5 years, 55% girls). Intention-to-treat analyses showed no statistically significant difference between implementation strategies in adherence (between-group difference 1.4, 95% CI −0.5 to 3.4) or in cumulative injury risk (between-group difference 5.5% points, 95% CI −2.2 to 13.1). Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that in youth community handball, a combined online and onsite implementation strategy, including a coach workshop and HSP support, was not superior to an online-only strategy regarding adherence to an IPEP or in reducing shoulder, knee and ankle injury risk.
Møller, Merete; Johansen, Stian Isaksen; Myklebust, Grethe; Nielsen, Rasmus Oestergaard; Möller, Sören & Mikkelsen, Ulla [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2024). Health problems and injury management in adolescent handball: the Safeplay one-season cohort study of 679 players. British Journal of Sports Medicine. ISSN 0306-3674. 59, p. 65–74. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2024-108493. Full text in Research Archive
Larsen, Anders Christer; Pedersen, Julie Rønne; Møller, Merete; Storm, Louise Kamuk; Koes, Bart & Thorlund, Jonas Bloch (2024). The impact of injuries on sports-related analgesic use in Danish youth elite athletes: A 4-week prospective cohort study. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. ISSN 1440-2440. 28(1), p. 39–45. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2024.08.201. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Objectives: Investigate the association between injury severity and sports-related analgesic use, and explore the types and reasons for analgesic use in Danish youth elite athletes. Design: 4-week prospective cohort study. Methods: 713 youth elite athletes (44 % female) aged 15–20 years provided information on demographics, sports specific questions, and injury severity. We categorized injury severity based on the amount of impact on sports participation: 1) no injury (reference), 2) injury not affecting sports participation, 3) injury causing modifications in sports participation, and 4) injury causing complete absence from sport. Participants were asked weekly over 4 weeks about the number of days with sports-related analgesic use, types, and reasons for use. Mixed-effects regression models were used to assess the association between injury severity and prevalence (yes/no) and frequency (days/week) of analgesic use. Results: Analgesic use at least once during the four weeks was reported by 224 athletes (31 %), with a mean weekly prevalence of 13 %. The odds of analgesic use increased with injury severity compared with the reference group; injury not affecting sports participation: OR 2.6 (95 % CI 1.6–4.2), injury causing modifications in sports participation: OR 3.2 (95 % CI 2.0–5.2), injury causing complete absence from sport: OR 3.6 (95 % CI 1.5-8.7) (test for trend; p = ＜0.001). The rate (frequency) of analgesic use also increased with injury severity (test for trend; p = 0.003). Athletes most commonly used analgesics to treat pain/injury after sports participation (62 %), and paracetamol was most frequently used (84 %). Conclusions: Injury severity was associated with increased odds and rate of analgesic use.
Amundsen, Roar; Thorarinsdottir, Solveig; Larmo, A.; Pedersen, R.; Andersen, Thor Einar & Møller, Merete [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). #ReadyToplay: hamstring injuries in women’s football – a two-season prospective cohort study in the Norwegian women’s premier league. Science and medicine in football. ISSN 2473-3938. doi: 10.1080/24733938.2024.2305389. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
In this two-season prospective cohort study (2020–2021), we aimed to describe the characteristics, clinical findings and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of hamstring injuries in the Norwegian women’s premier league. Hamstring injuries were examined by team physiotherapists using a standardised clinical examination and injury form. Injury location and severity (modified Peetrons classification) were graded based on MRI by two independent radiologists. Fifty-three hamstring injuries were clinically examined, 31 of these with MRI. Hamstring injuries caused 8 days (median) lost from football (interquartile range: 3–15 days, range: 0–188 days), most were non-contact and occurred during sprinting. Gradual-onset (53%) and sudden-onset injuries (47%) were evenly distributed. The injuries examined with MRI were classified as grade 0 (52%), grade 1 (16%) or grade 2 (29%). One proximal tendinopathy case was not graded. Grade 2 injuries caused more time loss than grade 0 (19 ± 8 vs. 7 ± 7 days, p = 0.002). Of injuries with MRI changes, 60% were in the m. biceps femoris, mainly the muscle-tendon junction, and 40% in the m. semimembranosus, most in the proximal tendon. Compared to previous findings from men’s football, a higher proportion of hamstring injuries in women’s football had a gradual onset and involved the m. semimembranosus, particularly its proximal tendon.
Holm, Pætur M.; Simonÿ, Charlotte; Brydegaard, Nadia K.; Høgsgaard, Ditte; Thorborg, Kristian & Møller, Merete [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2023). An early care void: The injury experience and perceptions of treatment among knee-injured individuals and healthcare professionals – A qualitative interview study. Physical Therapy in Sport. ISSN 1466-853X. 64, p. 32–40. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2023.08.006. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Objectives: To better comprehend the initial injury experience and care requirements of knee-injured individuals, as well as healthcare professionals' interactions with early care. Design: Qualitative interviews. Setting: Public healthcare in Denmark. Participants: Ten individuals (6 women) with major knee injuries (6 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscal tears, 2 isolated ACL tears, 1 isolated meniscal tear, 1 patella dislocation), aged 16–33 years (median 19 years), 1–26 months post-injury (median 3 months). Thirteen HCPs (5 physiotherapists, 5 orthopedic surgeons, 3 general practitioners). Main outcome measure: Semi-structured individual and focus group interviews, transcribed verbatim and with latent thematic analysis. Results: The three main themes were: 1) Emotional struggles in solitude – knee-injured individuals dealing with emotions alone due to limited HCP resources for emotional support. 2) Blurry beginning – knee-injured individuals finding initial care frustrating, a sentiment shared by HCPs. 3) A journey with no map – knee-injured individuals holding varied outcome expectations, while HCPs hesitate to discuss long-term knee health. Conclusion: Early care for knee-injured individuals is filled with worries and unmet emotional and information support needs. HCPs need more support and training to deliver timely and appropriate care.
Amundsen, Roar; Møller, Merete & Bahr, Roald (2023). Performing Nordic hamstring strength testing with additional weight affects the maximal eccentric force measured: do not compare apples to oranges. BMJ Open sport & exercise medicine. 9(4). doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2023-001699. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Background: Nordic hamstring test devices are commonly used to measure maximal eccentric hamstring force. The ability to control the final phase of the exercise has been adopted as a criterion to add weight when testing, without substantial evidence. We investigated if adding weight affected the maximal force measured, and if there were differences between players who could and could not control the final phase. Methods: Female (n=84) and male (n=56) football players performed a Nordic hamstring strength test with 0, 5 and 10 kg. We used visual inspection to assess the ability to control the final phase (approximately last 20°), as per previously published studies. Results: Maximal force was higher when tested with 5 kg (females: +8 N (2%), p<0.001; males: +18 N (4%), p<0.001) and 10 kg (females: +17 N (5%), p<0.001; males: +27 N (6%), p<0.001) compared with 0 kg. This was the case for both groups, those who could control the final phase (5 kg: +16 N (4%), p<0.001; 10 kg: +28 N (7%), p<0.001) and those who could not (5 kg: +9 N (3%), p<0.001; 10 kg: +15 N (4%), p<0.001). Conclusion: Both players who could and could not control the final phase of the Nordic hamstring test demonstrated higher maximal force when adding weight to testing. Therefore, this should not be used to decide if players should perform testing with or without weight. Either all participants or none should be tested with weight, and the same approach should be used both for pre-testing and post-testing.
Amundsen, Roar; Thorarinsdottir, Solveig; Larmo, Arne; Pedersen, R.; Andersen, Thor Einar & Møller, Merete [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2023). Hamstring injuries in the Norwegian women's Premier League. In Villa, F Della & Susta, D (Ed.), Football Medicine - The Pursuit of Excellence: Abstract book. Calzetti & Mariucci Editori. ISSN 9788860286871. p. 210–211. Full text in Research Archive
Pedersen, Julie Rønne; Møller, Merete; Storm, Louise Kamuk; Koes, Bart; Ntoumanis, Nikos & Thorlund, Jonas Bloch (2023). To rest or to compete? A 4-week cohort study of analgesic use and willingness to compete hurt in Danish youth elite athletes. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. ISSN 1440-2440. 26(11). doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2023.08.181. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Objectives: To assess the association between analgesic use and willingness to compete hurt (WCH) in Danish youth elite athletes, and to explore factors associated with such willingness. Design: 4-week prospective cohort study. Methods: 592 Danish youth elite athletes (15–20 years) completed a baseline questionnaire assessing demographic information, sport history, and WCH, and provided weekly reports on analgesic use for 4 weeks via text messages. Analgesic use was categorized as no use (0 weeks) or use across 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks, and as the total number of days with analgesic use. Multinomial logistic regression and zero-inflated negative binomial regression analyses estimated the association between analgesic use and WCH. Linear backward stepwise regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with WCH. Results: Overall, risk of analgesic use increased significantly with increasing WCH scores (relative risk ratios ranging from 1.06 (95% CI 1.0 to 1.12%) to 1.34% (95% CI 1.15 to 1.57)). The incidence rate of analgesic use increased significantly with increasing WCH scores (incidence rate ratio 1.09 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.14)). Associations between the investigated possible antecedent factors and WCH were weak and not considered practically important (R2 = 0.05 or lower). Conclusions: Higher WCH scores were associated with increasing risk of analgesic use, irrespective of the underlying reason for the use, in Danish youth elite athletes, suggesting that analgesics may be an ingrained part of a sport-specific culture of risk acceptance. Future studies should include measures of culture, norms, and social interaction to better explain the variance in WCH.
Andersen, Thomas Rostgaard; Drevsfeldt, Andreas; Möller, Sören & Møller, Merete (2023). Injuries in male youth football: a one season prospective cohort study of 223 Danish elite players. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 5. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1250223. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Objectives: This study prospectively investigated injury prevalence, incidence, and burden in male elite under-17 football players (N = 223) during a full season. Methods: The players weekly completed a standardized web-based injury survey (OSTRC-H2) and a physical exposure report throughout the study. Results: Average weekly response rate was 89.5%. Football exposure accounted for 52.4% of total physical exposure. On average (±SD), the players participated in individual football, strength, and rehabilitation practices for 1.2 ± 1.5, 3.0 ± .2.1, and 1.9 ± 3.4 h/week, respectively. In total, 742 health problems were reported. Mean weekly prevalence of health problems, injuries and illnesses were 20.1%, 16.5% and 3.8%, respectively. The injury incidence per 1,000 h of football exposure, match play and team practice were 8.28 (95% CI: 7.54–9.08), 16.77 (95% CI: 13.65–20.4), and 7.24 (95% CI: 6.5–8.04), respectively. Sudden-onset and gradual-onset injuries accounted for 36.7% and 43.4% of the total proportion of health problems. Hip/groin injuries had the highest incidence (1.58/1,000 h), whereas knee injuries had the highest burden (20.86 days lost/1,000 h). On average, the players experienced 3.33 health problems (average duration: 7.8 days). On average pr. player, 2.7 (95% CI: 2.2–3.3) wks of football exposure were lost. Conclusion: Sudden and gradual-onset injuries influenced player availability during the season. Health problem prevalence fluctuated markedly, and injury incidence was higher during match play than training. The players had substantial volumes of training beyond football-specific training and matches. Our findings could assist medical and sports science practitioneers in enhancing training and recovery processes to maximize player availability.
Amundsen, Roar; Thorarinsdottir, Solveig; Clarsen, Benjamin Matthew; Andersen, Thor Einar; Møller, Merete & Bahr, Roald (2023). #ReadyToPlay: health problems in women's football-a two-season prospective cohort study in the Norwegian premier league. British Journal of Sports Medicine. ISSN 0306-3674. 58(1), p. 4–11. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-107141. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Objectives: To describe the prevalence, incidence and burden of all health problems in the Norwegian women’s premier league. Methods: During the 2020 and 2021 seasons, players in the Norwegian women’s premier league reported all health problems (sudden-onset injuries, gradual-onset injuries and illnesses) weekly, using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre Questionnaire on Health Problems. Team medical staff diagnosed reported problems using the Sport Medicine Diagnostic Coding System. We calculated average weekly prevalence, incidence and burden of all health problems reported. Results: We included 294 players (age: 22±4 years) from 11 teams. Response rate to the weekly questionnaire was 79%. On average, 32% (95% CI: 31% to 33%) of the players reported at least one health problem at any time and 22% (95% CI: 21% to 23%) reported a substantial health problem negatively affecting their training volume or performance. The overall incidence was 10.7 health problems per 1000 hours of football exposure. Sudden-onset injuries were most severe (68% of the total time loss), followed by gradual-onset injuries (25%) and illnesses (8%). Thigh was the most common injury location (26%), while knee injuries were most severe, causing 42% of the total injury time loss. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries alone caused 30% of the total injury time loss. Conclusion: One in five players had a health problem negatively affecting their training volume or performance at any time. Sudden-onset injuries represented the most burdensome health problem. Thigh injuries were most frequent, while knee injuries, ACL injuries especially, were most severe.
Amundsen, Roar; Heimland, Janita Sæther; Thorarinsdottir, Solveig; Møller, Merete & Bahr, Roald (2022). Effects of High and Low Training Volume with the Nordic Hamstring Exercise on Hamstring Strength, Jump Height, and Sprint Performance in Female Football Players: A Randomised Trial. Translational Sports Medicine (TSM). 2022. doi: 10.1155/2022/7133928. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
The evidence-based hamstring strengthening programme for prevention of hamstring injuries is not adopted by football teams because of its high training volume. This study on female football players investigated if high-volume training with the Nordic hamstring exercise is more effective on hamstring strength, jump height, and sprint performance than low-volume training. We also examined the time course of changes in muscle strength during the intervention period. Forty-five female football players were randomised to a high- (21 sessions, 538 total reps) or low-volume group (10 sessions, 144 total reps) and performed an 8-week training intervention with the Nordic hamstring exercise during the preseason. We tested hamstring strength (maximal eccentric force with NordBord and maximal eccentric torque with isokinetic dynamometer), jump height, and 40 m sprint before and after the intervention. The NordBord test was also performed during training weeks 4 and 6. Both groups increased maximal eccentric force (high-volume: 29 N (10%), 95% CI: 19–38 N, , low-volume: 37 N (13%), 95% CI: 18–55 N, ), but there were no between-group differences (). Maximal eccentric torque, jump height, and sprint performance did not change. Maximal eccentric force increased from the pretest to week 6 (20 N (7%), 95% CI: 8 to 31 N, ), but not week 4 (8 N (3%), 95% CI: −2 to 18 N, ). High training volume with the Nordic hamstrings exercise did not lead to greater adaptations in strength, jump height, or speed than a low-volume programme. Players in both groups had to train for at least 6 weeks to improve maximal eccentric force significantly.
Ageberg, Eva; Brodin, Eva M; Linnéll, Jennie; Moesch, Karin; Donaldson, Alex & Adébo, Emme [Show all 15 contributors for this article] (2022). Cocreating injury prevention training for youth team handball: bridging theory and practice. BMJ Open sport & exercise medicine. 8(2). doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001263. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Although it is advocated that end-users are engaged in developing evidence-based injury prevention training to enhance the implementation, this rarely happens. The ‘Implementing injury Prevention training ROutines in TEams and Clubs in youth Team handball (I-PROTECT)’ uses an ecological participatory design incorporating the perspectives of multiple stakeholders throughout the project. Within the I-PROTECT project, the current study aimed to describe the development of holistic injury prevention training specifically for youth handball players through using knowledge from both end-users (coaches and players) and researchers/handball experts. Employing action evaluation within participatory action research, the cyclical development process included three phases: research team preparation, handball expert-based preparation and end-user evaluation to develop injury prevention training incorporating both physical and psychological perspectives. To grow the knowledge of the interdisciplinary research team, rethinking was conducted within and between phases based on participants’ contributions. Researchers and end-users cocreated examples of handball-specific exercises, including injury prevention physical principles (movement technique for upper and lower extremities, respectively, and muscle strength) combined with psychological aspects (increase end-user motivation, task focus and body awareness) to integrate into warm-up and skills training within handball practice. A cyclical development process that engaged researchers/handball experts and end-users to cocreate evidence-based, theory-informed and context-specific injury prevention training specifically for youth handball players generated a first pilot version of exercises including physical principles combined with psychological aspects to be integrated within handball practice.
Schwank, Ariane; Blazey, Paul; Asker, Martin; Møller, Merete; Hägglund, Martin & Gard, Suzanne [Show all 13 contributors for this article] (2022). 2022 Bern Consensus Statement on Shoulder Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Return to Sport for Athletes at All Participation Levels. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. ISSN 0190-6011. 52(1), p. 11–28. doi: 10.2519/JOSPT.2022.10952. Full text in Research Archive
Pedersen, Alex Young; Thomsen, Morten Brendsgaard Randers; Luteberget, Live & Møller, Merete (2021). Validity of Session Rating of Perceived Exertion for Measuring Training Load in Youth Team Handball Players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. ISSN 1064-8011. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004202. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) is a subjective self-reported measure of training load and is a popular method in several different team sports. This study aimed to investigate the validity of sRPE, by correlating sRPE load (sRPE × minutes of training) and heart rate (HR) expressed as Edwards Summated Heart Rate Zones (SHRZ) and PlayerLoad among Danish youth team handball players. Second, the study aimed to investigate sRPE load's ability to descriptively differentiate between a low and a high training load category. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in the in-season period. Fourteen training sessions were measured from 6 teams, in which PlayerLoad, Edwards SHRZ, and sRPE load were measured for the training session and collected from 47 subjects (23 males and 24 females). Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficients were calculated between sRPE load and Edwards SHRZ and PlayerLoad. Furthermore, a high and a low load category were made from PlayerLoad or Edwards SHRZ to investigate sRPE load's ability to discriminate between high and low objective load. Large correlations between sRPE load and Edwards SHRZ (0.52 [95% CI 0.27:0.70]) and between sRPE load and PlayerLoad (0.67 [95% CI 0.47:0.80]) were observed. Our findings further indicate that sRPE load can differentiate between a high and a low training load category in both Edwards SHRZ and PlayerLoad. Our results show that sRPE load reflects both internal and external load during team handball training sessions and seems to discriminate between high- and low-intensity training sessions. These results support the validity of sRPE load for measuring training load in young team handball players.

View all works in NVA

Møller, Merete (2025). Beyond acute Injuries – Advancing injury prevention in youth handball. Full text in Research Archive
Thorarinsdottir, Solveig; Amundsen, Roar; Bahr, Roald; Andersen, Thor Einar; Bache-Mathiesen, Lena Kristin & Larmo, Arne [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2025). Groin injuries in women’s football. Full text in Research Archive
Moen, Christian; Sjølie, Emilie Scholten; Hausken, Solveig Elisabeth Sand; Bjørndal, Christian Thue; Myklebust, Grethe & Møller, Merete [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2025). Injury prevention in youth football and handball: development of a complex intervention. Full text in Research Archive
Kåshagen, Ingvild; Amundsen, Roar; Moksnes, Håvard; Møller, Merete & Bahr, Roald (2025). #ReadyToPlay: risks and risk factors in women's premier league- club stakeholder's perceptions. Full text in Research Archive
Veith, Stella; Mosler, Andrea Britt; Møller, Merete; Kryger, Katrine Okholm & Whalan, Matthew (2025). Nurturing nature: the greenhouse concept for health and performance. British Journal of Sports Medicine. ISSN 0306-3674. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2024-109268. Full text in Research Archive
Sjølie, Emilie Scholten; McKay, Carly; Gjesdal, Siv; Grindem, Hege; Myklebust, Grethe & Bjørndal, Christian Thue [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). Targeting injury prevention behavior in youth handball and football: perspectives from 528 players and 337 coaches – a cross sectional study. British Journal of Sports Medicine. ISSN 0306-3674. 58(Suppl 2), A18-A18. 10.1136/bjsports-2024-IOC.31. Full text in Research Archive
Myklebust, Grethe & Møller, Merete (2024). 87 international championship medals and 25 years later – present state of injury prevention in handball 2024 with future perspectives. Full text in Research Archive
Moen, Christian; Myklebust, Grethe; Munkvold, Emilie; Hagglund, Martin; Bahr, Roald & Møller, Merete [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2024). 880 FO34 – Why does it work? Proposed mechanisms of effect in injury prevention programs in football and handball: a scoping review of 84 studies. British Journal of Sports Medicine. ISSN 0306-3674. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2024-IOC.33. Full text in Research Archive
Myklebust, Grethe; Hägglund, Martin; Munkvold, Emilie; Bahr, Roald; Møller, Merete & Bjørndal, Christian Thue [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). Why does it work? Proposed mechanisms of effect in injury prevention programs in football and handball: a scoping review of 84 studies. Full text in Research Archive
Moen, Christian; Myklebust, Grethe; Munkvold, Emilie; Hägglund, Martin; Bahr, Roald & Møller, Merete [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2024). Why does it work? Proposed mechanisms of effect in injury prevention programs in football and handball: a scoping review of 84 studies. Full text in Research Archive
Moen, Christian; Myklebust, Grethe; Munkvold, Emilie; Hagglund, Martin; Bahr, Roald & Møller, Merete [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2024). Why does it work? Proposed mechanisms of effect in injury prevention programs in football and handball: a scoping review of 84 studies. Full text in Research Archive
Moen, Christian; Myklebust, Grethe; Munkvold, Emilie; Hägglund, Martin; Bahr, Roald & Møller, Merete [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2024). Why does it work? Proposed biomedical effect mechanisms of injury prevention programs in football and handball: a scoping review of 84 studies. Full text in Research Archive
Sjølie, Emilie Scholten; Myklebust, Grethe; Bjørndal, Christian Thue; Grindem, Hege & Møller, Merete (2024). Effectiveness of the injury preventive program #Utviklingsklar. Full text in Research Archive
Bjørndal, Christian Thue; Hausken-Sutter, Solveig Elisabeth Sand; Myklebust, Grethe; Møller, Merete & Grindem, Hege (2024). Unveiling the significance of sociocultural dynamics in youth sport injury research: a comprehensive narrative review. Full text in Research Archive
Thorarinsdottir, Solveig; Johansen, Stian Isaksen; Elvestad, Tobias Ruud Askim; Bache-Mathiesen, Lena Kristin; Amundsen, Roar & Bahr, Roald [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). Is an 8-week high-volume protocol of the copenhagen adduction exercise more effective in increasing hip adduction strength in female football players than a low-volume protocol? British Journal of Sports Medicine. ISSN 0306-3674. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2024-IOC.259. Full text in Research Archive
Sjølie, Emilie Scholten; McKay, Carly; Gjesdal, Siv; Grindem, Hege; Myklebust, Grethe & Bjørndal, Christian Thue [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). Targeting injury prevention behavior in youth handball and football: perspectives from 528 players and 337 coaches - a cross sectional study. Full text in Research Archive
Sjølie, Emilie Scholten; McKay, Carly; Gjesdal, Siv; Grindem, Hege; Myklebust, Grethe & Bjørndal, Christian Thue [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). Injury prevention behavior in youth handball and football: perspectives from 528 players and 337 coaches - a cross sectional study. Full text in Research Archive
Møller, Merete (2024). Happy project - injury prevention in youth community sport. Full text in Research Archive
Møller, Merete; Grindem, Hege; Bjørndal, Christian Thue & Myklebust, Grethe (2023). Injury prevention and injury prevention behavior in youth handball and football. Full text in Research Archive
Moen, Christian; Myklebust, Grethe; Munkvold, Emilie; Hägglund, Martin; Bahr, Roald & Møller, Merete [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2023). Hvorfor virker de? Effektmekanismer i skadeforebyggende programmer i fotball og håndball. Full text in Research Archive
Moen, Christian; Myklebust, Grethe; Munkvold, Emilie; Hägglund, Martin; Bahr, Roald & Møller, Merete [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2023). Hvorfor virker de? Effektmekanismer i skadeforebyggende programmer i fotball og håndball. Full text in Research Archive
Bjørndal, Christian Thue; Myklebust, Grethe; Møller, Merete & Grindem, Hege (2023). Gjennomførbarhetsstudie - metode og resultat. Full text in Research Archive
Hausken-Sutter, Solveig Elisabeth Sand; Bjørndal, Christian Thue; Myklebust, Grethe; Møller, Merete & Grindem, Hege (2023). Gjennomførbarhetsstudie - metode og resultat. Full text in Research Archive
Amundsen, Roar; Thorarinsdottir, Solveig; Larmo, Arne; Pedersen, R.; Andersen, Thor Einar & Møller, Merete [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2023). Hamstring injuries in the Norwegian women's Premier League. Full text in Research Archive
Thorarinsdottir, Solveig; Amundsen, Roar; Bahr, Roald; Andersen, Thor Einar; Larmo, Arne & Pedersen, R. [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2023). Groin injuries in women's Premier League football in Norway. Full text in Research Archive
Sjølie, Emilie Scholten; Møller, Merete; Grindem, Hege; Myklebust, Grethe & Bjørndal, Christian Thue (2023). Injury prevention and injury prevention behavior in youth handball and football. Full text in Research Archive
Moseid, Christine Holm; Myklebust, Grethe & Møller, Merete (2023). Den kvinnelige idrettsutøveren. Trening, helse og prestasjon. In Sandbakk, Øyvind Bucher; Solli, Guro Strøm & Staff, Hanne Cesilie (Ed.), Den kvinnelige idrettsutøveren. Fagbokforlaget. ISSN 9788245036930. p. 93–102. Full text in Research Archive
Thorarinsdottir, Solveig; Amundsen, Roar; Clarsen, Benjamin Matthew; Andersen, Thor Einar; Møller, Merete & Bahr, Roald (2023). #ReadyToPlay. Health problems in womens premier leage football. Full text in Research Archive
Amundsen, Roar; Larmo, Arne; Pedersen, Roar; Andersen, Thor Einar; Bahr, Roald & Møller, Merete (2023). Home/Archive/Volume 9, Issue Suppl 1 Email alerts Abstracts• • Request permissionreqGroin injuries in women’s premier league football in Norway. A 2-year prospective cohort study describing clinical and imaging characteristics. British Journal of Sports Medicine. ISSN 0306-3674. Full text in Research Archive
Sjølie, Emilie Scholten; McKay, Carly; Gjesdal, Siv; Grindem, Hege; Myklebust, Grethe & Bjørndal, Christian Thue [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2023). Similar injury prevention behavior in youth handball and football: a cross-sectional study of 865 coaches and players. Full text in Research Archive
Thorarinsdottir, Solveig; Amundsen, Roar; Larmo, Arne Feilberg; Pedersen, Roar; Andersen, Thor Einar & Bahr, Roald [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2023). Groin injuries in womens premier league football in Norway. Full text in Research Archive
Thorarinsdottir, Solveig; Amundsen, Roar; Clarsen, Benjamin Matthew; Andersen, Thor Einar; Møller, Merete & Bahr, Roald (2022). INJURIES AND ILLNESS IN ELITE WOMEN’S FOTBALL IN NORWAY – A TWO-YEAR PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY. Full text in Research Archive
Amundsen, Roar; Thorarinsdottir, Solveig; Pedersen, Roar; Larmo, Arne; Andersen, Thor Einar & Møller, Merete [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). Hamstringsskader i elite kvinnefotball. Full text in Research Archive
Amundsen, Roar; Thorarinsdottir, Solveig; Clarsen, Benjamin Matthew; Andersen, Thor Einar; Møller, Merete & Bahr, Roald (2022). Health problems in the elite women`s football league in Norway - a prospective cohort study. Full text in Research Archive
Hausken, Solveig Elisabeth Sand; Bjørndal, Christian Thue; Myklebust, Grethe; Møller, Merete & Grindem, Hege (2022). Sosiale og kulturelle forhold kan påvirke idrettsskader. Full text in Research Archive
Moen, Christian; Myklebust, Grethe; Hagglund, Martin; Bahr, Roald; Møller, Merete & Bjørndal, Christian Thue [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). Biomedisinsk perspektiv på skadeforebygging. Full text in Research Archive
Sjølie, Emilie Scholten; Gjesdal, Siv; McKay, Carly; Grindem, Hege; Myklebust, Grethe & Bjørndal, Christian Thue [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). Holdninger og atferd: skader og skadeforebygging. Full text in Research Archive
Liaghat, Behnam; Bencke, Jesper; Zebis, Mette K.; Sørensen, Henrik; Myklebust, Grethe & Wedderkopp, Niels [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2021). Shoulder rotation strength changes from preseason to midseason - a cohort study of 292 youth elite handball players without shoulder problems. British Journal of Sports Medicine. ISSN 0306-3674. 55, p. A16–A16. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2021-IOC.73. Full text in Research Archive
Møller, Merete (2021). Injury prevention programmes are bargains, but very few are buying them: Why? Full text in Research Archive
Møller, Merete (2021). The role of load management in injury prevention in handball. Full text in Research Archive
Møller, Merete (2021). The etiology of throwing injury in an overhead throwing athlete: What are the contributing factors? Full text in Research Archive
Liaghat, Behnam; Bencke, Jesper; Zebis, Mette K.; Sørensen, Henrik; Myklebust, Grethe & Wedderkopp, Niels [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2021). Shoulder rotation strength changes from preseason to midseason: a cohort study of 292 youth elite handball players without shoulder problems. Full text in Research Archive
Møller, Merete (2019). How to manage training load to prevent muscle injuries: lessons from beyond football. Full text in Research Archive
Møller, Merete & Kittilsen, Silje (2022). Skadeforekomst i menstruasjonssyklusen og ved bruk av hormonelt prevensjonsmiddel blant elite kvinnelige fotballspillere: En prospektiv kohortstudie. Norges idrettshøgskole. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Introduksjon: Nivået og arbeidskravene har aldri vært høyere for kvinnelige fotballspillere, noe som potensielt kan medføre økt skadeforekomst. Informasjon om faktorer som gjør at spillere har en økt risiko for skader er viktig i det forebyggende arbeidet, men det er lite kartlagt i kvinnefotballen. Menstruasjonssyklusen er teoretisert som en faktor som kan endre skaderisikoen, da svingninger i hormonene kan påvirke en rekke biologiske prosesser. I motsetning til naturlig menstruerende kvinner, har ikke brukere av hormonelle prevensjonsmidler denne fluktuasjonen. Formålet med det aktuelle prosjektet var å kartlegge forskjell i skadeforekomsten i ulike faser av menstruasjonssyklusen for elite fotballspillere. Et sekundært mål var å undersøke forskjell i skadeforekomst for naturlig menstruerende og brukere av hormonell prevensjon. Metode: Studien var gjennomført som en prospektiv kohortstudie, hvor kvinnelige elite fotballspillere rapporterte skader og menstruasjonsdag ukentlig via appen AthleteMonitoring og svarte på bruk av prevensjonsmidler under periodiske helseevalueringer ved starten av sesongen. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) ble benyttet for å se på forskjeller i skadeforekomst. Resultat: Totalt 169 fotballspillere rapporterte om 403 skader gjennom sesongene 2020 og 2021. Odds for skade var signifikant 1,47 ganger høyere for fase 1 (tidlig follikkelfase), sammenlignet med fase 4 (lutealfase) for alle skadetyper (95% KI; 1,09-1,98; p= 0,012). Det var ingen signifikant forskjell i odds mellom de naturlig menstruerende og brukere av hormonelle prevensjonsmidler, for alle skadetyper (OR= 0,93, 95% KI; 0,72-1,21, p = 0,59). Fordelt på skadetyper var oddsen for ledd- og ligamentskader noe høyere for naturlig menstruerende, men ikke signifikant (OR= 1,41, 95% KI; 0,72-2,75, p= 0,31). Konklusjon: Odds for skade i fase 1 (tidlig follikkelfase) var signifikant høyere sammenlignet med fase 4 (lutealfase) for naturlig menstruerende kvinner og brukere av hormonell prevensjon. Det var ingen forskjell i skadeforekomst for alle skadetyper mellom spillere som bruker hormonelle prevensjonsmidler, sammenlignet med naturlig menstruerende fotballspillere.