SKADEFRI 3.7.16

SKADEFRI is a program designed to promote proper training techniques and injury prevention. By consistently practicing the exercises demonstrated within SKADEFRI, users can potentially reduce their injury risk by up to 50%.

Developed by the Centre for Sports Injury Research at the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences (NIH), SKADEFRI is a collaborative project involving the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and NIH, originally launched in connection with the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China (2014), and subsequently in Lillehammer, Norway (2016).

The content and oversight are provided by Dr. Kathrin Steffen and Professor Roald Bahr from the Centre for Sports Injury Research. We acknowledge financial support from Sparebankstiftelsen DNB, Skadetelefonen, the Ministry of Culture, and the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports. Our technological partners include BRIK (video production), Makingwaves, and the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. Additionally, we thank experts from NIH, Olympiatoppen, and Norwegian sports organizations, as well as our athletes and role models.

Version 1.0 — Copyright © 2016 by the International Olympic Committee & Centre for Sports Injury Research. FIFA 11+ videos are © 2014 FIFA.

Injury occurrence is common across most sports, often with severe consequences for athletes. An injury can be devastating, sometimes ending promising careers. However, scientific research confirms that injuries can be prevented. Structured warm-up routines have been shown to reduce injury risk by more than half.

The SKADEFRI app was developed alongside the launch of www.skadefri.no. It originates from the "Get Set – Train Smarter" app created for the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing and Lillehammer through a partnership between the IOC, NIH, our technology partner Making Waves AS, and various international sports federations. Its primary target audience includes talented young athletes, their coaches, and anyone engaged in physical activity. The goal of SKADEFRI is to offer effective, research-based training routines to prevent sports injuries.

All exercises are presented via videos supported by concise instructions demonstrating correct execution. Variations and three progressive difficulty levels are provided to meet different skill levels. Designed to require minimal equipment, these exercises are safe and easy to perform anywhere.

Under the "Sports" section, users can select from 30 summer and 15 winter sports. Additionally, there are injury prevention exercises targeting six key body regions—shoulders, back, groin, hamstrings, knees, and ankles—tailored to each sport’s specific risk profile. All training programs can be downloaded as PDFs containing images and brief descriptions for each exercise, facilitating sharing with teammates, coaches, friends, or family.

SKADEFRI is available free of charge in Norwegian on both iOS and Android platforms. Upon selecting an exercise for the first time, users will need to download the associated videos; it is recommended to use a wireless connection to avoid external costs. Once downloaded, videos are stored locally on the device for offline use regardless of location.