Hussain Ghulam
Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
Abstract Title: The FIFA 11+ Injury Prevention Program: Global Awareness
Biography:
Dr. Hussain Ghulam is an Associate Professor and Consultant Physical Therapist in the Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences (Physical Therapy Program) at Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia. He previously served as Head of the Medical Rehabilitation Department at the Medical Rehabilitation Hospital in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, from 2005 to 2011. In 2013, he obtained a Master�s degree in Exercise and Sports Physiotherapy from Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom. He subsequently completed his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health, Sports, and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Salford, Manchester, United Kingdom, in 2016. From 2016 to 2018, Dr. Ghulam held the position of Head of the Training and Academic Affairs Department at the Medical Rehabilitation Hospital in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. More recently, he served as Head of the Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences (Physiotherapy Program) at Najran University from 2022 to 2024. Dr. Ghulam is a certified instructor in manual therapy and has delivered more than 70 hands-on training courses in manual therapy and sports injury prevention strategies.
Research Interests:
Keywords: Injury Prevention, FIFA 11+, Global Awareness Background: Injury prevention in elite soccer is a critical priority, as injuries are associated with declines in athletic performance and a range of adverse consequences, including substantial financial costs to athletes and sporting organizations. Prolonged rehabilitation following injury may further contribute to negative physical, psychological, and economic outcomes. Consequently, strategies aimed at reducing injury incidence are essential for minimizing both the burden and risk of injuries in professional sport. Exercise-based injury prevention programs have consistently demonstrated effectiveness in lowering the incidence of sports-related injuries and mitigating their associated consequences. In response to this evidence, the FIFA Medical and Research Centre, in collaboration with the Santa Monica Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Research Foundation and the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, developed the FIFA 11+ injury prevention program, a structured warm-up protocol designed to reduce injury risk in soccer players. The adoption and implementation of injury prevention strategies are strongly influenced by coaches� and players� perceptions of injury risk and preventive measures. Previous research indicates that perceived susceptibility to injury, social norms, and negative attitudes toward preventive interventions can significantly affect adherence across both competitive and recreational sporting contexts. Factors such as a perceived lack of necessity, social pressure, and discomfort associated with protective or preventive practices have been identified as key barriers to compliance. Knowledge of injury mechanisms and prevention strategies may also play a pivotal role in adherence. For example, Orr et al. reported substantial gaps in youth soccer coaches� and players� understanding of knee injury prevention and safety practices. Similar deficiencies in injury awareness and prevention knowledge have been documented among coaches and athletes in other sports, including rugby and basketball. Despite the demonstrated efficacy of structured prevention programs such as the FIFA 11+, limited evidence exists regarding stakeholders� knowledge, perceptions, and real-world implementation of these interventions. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of awareness, implementation, and general perceptions of the FIFA 11+ injury prevention protocol among professional and semi-professional soccer players and coaches worldwide.
