Prestigious journal SAGE Open Medicine publishes study involving Villarreal CF in 2022
Prestigious journal SAGE Open Medicine recognises Villarreal CF for promoting CPR training
Villarreal CF has been recognised by the prestigious journal SAGE Open Medicine for its efforts in promoting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training among players and coaches. The initiative’s effectiveness has been demonstrated in a pioneering study, which has recently been published and can be accessed via the following link: RCP
The study, which involved Villarreal CF alongside other clubs from the Region of Valencia such as Levante UD and Elche CF, has shown that Basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR-B) training significantly improves the knowledge and attitudes of football professionals when faced with cardiac emergencies.
The findings, published in SAGE Open Medicine, underline the importance of ensuring that players and coaches are prepared to respond in critical situations, such as sudden cardiac arrest — which occurs 2.5 times more frequently in athletes than in the general population.
Key findings from the study
Improved knowledge and attitudes: After a two-hour training session, participants showed a significant increase in CPR knowledge (from 5.66 to 7.60 out of 10) and developed a more positive attitude towards providing help in emergency situations.
Universal effectiveness: The training was equally effective regardless of gender, age, education level or role (player or coach), highlighting its broad applicability across the sporting world.
Pre-existing gaps: Before training, only 7.7% of players in similar studies were certified in CPR, underlining the urgent need for initiatives like this.
Villarreal CF’s commitment to safety
Villarreal CF, through its medical department and in collaboration with Universitat Jaume I and Universidad Cardenal Herrera CEU, has been a pioneer in delivering this training programme. The initiative is aligned with the recommendations of the European Resuscitation Council (ERC).
Héctor Usó-Vicent and Isabel Almodóvar-Fernández, co-authors of the study and members of the club, explained:
“CPR saves lives, and in football, where the risk is real, it is vital that we all know how to respond. This study strengthens our commitment to health and prevention.”
Rafael González-Moret, CPR instructor certified by the Spanish Society of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine and Coronary Units (SEMICYUC) and lead author of the study, added:
“This study proves that a brief, well-structured, evidence-based intervention can have a real and significant impact on a group under high physical and mental demands such as professional football. Increasing knowledge and improving response attitudes in emergencies can literally mean the difference between life and death.”
He also stressed:
“Athletes are often first-hand witnesses to sudden collapses on the pitch. If they are trained and ready to act, it can be the difference between a tragedy and a second chance. Our proposal is clear: CPR training should be a regular and systematic part of sports training programmes, with regular updates.”
Why it matters in sport
Tragic incidents involving players such as Dani Jarque, Antonio Puerta and Christian Eriksen have highlighted the urgent need to prepare football professionals to respond to cardiac arrests. Early CPR and the use of defibrillators (AEDs) can increase survival rates by up to 50%.
Call to action
The authors of the study advocate for the following measures:
Access the study
The full article, “Effect of basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation training on the knowledge and attitudes of professional football players and coaches”, is available in SAGE Open Medicine under a Creative Commons licence.
DOI: 10.1177/20503121251341107
