Protecting participation: A national systems framework for injury prevention, preparticipation screening, and athlete insurance in Trinidad and Tobago

Résumé fourni par la source

Athlete injuries pose a significant challenge to the sustainable development of sport in small island developing states such as Trinidad and Tobago, contributing to rising healthcare costs, reduced athletic participation and performance, and limited access to comprehensive athlete welfare systems. This review synthesizes current international evidence on injury prevention programmes, preparticipation examinations (PPEs), and athlete insurance models to propose an integrated National Injury Prevention Program (NIPP) linked to a state-supported athlete insurance framework. The paper draws upon implementation science, injury prevention theory, and health financing principles to demonstrate how coordinated prevention, standardized screening, injury surveillance, and insurance mechanisms can reduce injury burden while strengthening athlete welfare, governance, and long-term system sustainability. Building on this evidence, a Tiered Athlete Insurance Model (TAIM) is proposed to provide equitable, risk-based insurance coverage across all levels of sport participation. The framework offers a practical policy model for Trinidad and Tobago and provides a foundation that may be adapted by other small island developing states and low- and middle-income countries seeking to strengthen athlete protection through integrated sport policy.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.