Certified Athletic Trainers' Perceptions of Exercise-Associated Muscle Cramps

2003 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 333-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus B. Stone ◽  
Jeffrey E. Edwards ◽  
Catherine L. Stemmans ◽  
Christopher D. Ingersoll ◽  
Riann M. Palmieri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Fluid Replacement ◽  
Electrolyte Imbalance ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Certified Athletic Trainers ◽  
Muscle Cramps ◽  
Treatment And Prevention ◽  
Exercise Associated Muscle Cramps

Context:Despite recent evidence to suggest that exercise-associated muscle cramps (EAMC) might be primarily of neuromuscular origin, the authors surmise that most information available to certified athletic trainers (ATCs) emphasizes the role of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in EAMC.Objective:To investigate ATCs' perceptions of EAMC.Design:7-question, Web-based, descriptive, cross-sectional survey.Subjects:997 ATCs.Main Outcome Measures:Responses to 7 questions regarding the cause, treatment, and prevention of EAMC.Results:Responders indicated humidity, temperature, training, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance as causative factors of EAMC. Fluid replacement and stretching the involved muscle were identified as very successful in treating and preventing EAMC. Proper nutrition and electrolyte replacement were also perceived as extremely successful prevention strategies.Conclusions:ATCs' perceptions of the cause, treatment, and prevention of EAMC are primarily centered on dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Other prominent ideas concerning EAMC should be implemented in athletic training education.

Certified Athletic Trainers' Perspectives on Rehabilitation Adherence in Collegiate Athletic Training Settings

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan D. Granquist ◽  
Leslie Podlog ◽  
Joanna R. Engel ◽  
Aubrey Newland
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
The United States ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Certified Athletic Trainers ◽  
Rehabilitation Adherence ◽  
Content Analyses

Context:Adherence to sport-injury rehabilitation protocols may be pivotal in ensuring successful rehabilitation and return-to-play outcomes.Objectives:To investigate athletic trainers' perspectives related to the degree to which rehabilitation adherence is an issue in collegiate athletic training settings, gain insight from certified athletic trainers regarding the factors contributing to rehabilitation nonadherence (underadherence and overadherence), and ascertain views on the most effective means for promoting adherence.Design:Crosssectional, mixed methods.Setting:Collegiate athletic training in the United States.Participants:Certified athletic trainers (n = 479; 234 male, 245 female).Main Outcome Measures:Online survey consisting of 3 questions regarding rehabilitation adherence, each followed by an open-ended comments section. Descriptive statistics were calculated for quantitative items; hierarchical content analyses were conducted for qualitative items.Results:Most (98.3%) participants reported poor rehabilitation adherence to be a problem (1.7% = no problem, 29.2% = minor problem, 49.7% = problem, 19.4% = major problem), while most (98.96%) participants reported that they had athletes who exhibited poor rehabilitation adherence (1% = never, 71.4% = occasionally, 22.5% = often, 5% = always). In addition, the majority (97.91%) of participants reported that overadherence (eg, doing too much, failing to comply with activity restrictions, etc) was at least an occasional occurrence (2.1% = never, 69.3% = occasionally, 26.3% = often, 1.9% = always). Hierarchical content analyses regarding the constructs of poor adherence and overadherence revealed 4 major themes: the motivation to adhere, the development of good athletic trainer–athlete rapport and effective communication, athletic trainers' perception of the coaches' role in fostering adherence, and the influence of injury- or individual- (eg, injury severity, sport type, gender) specific characteristics on rehabilitation adherence.Conclusions:These results suggest that participants believe that underadherence (and to a lesser extent overadherence) is a frequent occurrence in collegiate athletic training settings. Strategies for enhancing rehabilitation adherence rates and preventing overadherence may therefore be important for optimizing rehabilitation outcomes.

Who Should Mentor Me? Giving a Voice to Black Women Athletic Training Students

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonnie J. Siple ◽  
Rodney K. Hopson ◽  
Helen C. Sobehart ◽  
Paula S. Turocy
Keyword(s):  
Black Women ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Athletic Training Students ◽  
Certified Athletic Trainers ◽  
Race And Gender ◽  
Perceived Effects ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Member Checks ◽  
Constant Comparative Analysis

Context Black women are dramatically underrepresented in the health care profession of athletic training. It may be theorized that one of the reasons more black female students are not entering into the profession of athletic training is that they do not have adequate mentors to successfully guide them. Objective The purpose of our qualitative study was to examine the perceived effects of mentoring on the retention and credentialing of black women athletic trainers. Design Qualitative. Setting Clinical settings. Patients or Other Participants Ten certified athletic trainers who self-designate as black women. Main Outcome Measure(s) We conducted one-on-one phone interviews and follow-up on personal case study interviews, which were transcribed verbatim. We performed constant comparative analysis of the data and established trustworthiness via member checks and peer review. Results (1) Mentoring promotes matriculation and successful college completion and credentialing of black women athletic training students, and (2) although shared race and gender are favorable mentor characteristics, accessibility and approachability are more essential traits of mentors. Conclusions These findings offer athletic training educators potential insight into ways to improve the athletic training educational success of black women enrolled in athletic training education programs that may lead to their increased participation/advancement in the athletic training profession.

scholarly journals Certified Athletic Trainers' Knowledge of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Common Disinfectants

2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leamor Kahanov ◽  
Elizabeth J. Gilmore ◽  
Lindsey E. Eberman ◽  
Jeffrey Roberts ◽  
Tamar Semerjian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Certified Athletic Trainers ◽  
Methicillin Resistant ◽  
National Athletic Trainers Association

Context: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are increasingly common in athletic settings. The MRSA knowledge and infection-control practices of certified athletic trainers (ATs) and the cleanliness of the athletic training room are important factors in preventing MRSA infections. Objective: To assess knowledge of MRSA and the use of common disinfectants among ATs and to explore their infection-control practices. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: High school and collegiate athletic training rooms. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 163 ATs from National Collegiate Athletic Association Divisions I, II, and III and high schools, representing all 10 National Athletic Trainers' Association districts. Main Outcome Measure(s): Frequencies, analyses of variance, and χ2 tests were used to assess current practices and opinions and relationships between factors. Results: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was perceived as a national problem by 92% of respondents; 57% perceived MRSA as a problem in their practice setting. Most respondents had treated general infections (88%), staphylococcal infections (75%), and MRSA infections (57%). Male sex was associated with treating all 3 types of infections (χ2 test, P < .05). Noncurriculum education was associated with a lack of recognition of environmental issues as risk factors and with the use of isopropyl alcohol for disinfection (χ2 test, P < .05). For example, 10% of respondents did not recognize that contaminated whirlpools can be a source of MRSA infection. Respondents also incorrectly identified effective cleaning solutions. Thirty percent of respondents cleaned their hands frequently or sometimes before treating each athlete and 35% cleaned their hands sometimes, occasionally, or never after seeing each athlete. Conclusions: The majority of ATs were informed about MRSA and made correct disinfection choices. However, improvements are still needed, and not all ATs were using proper disinfection practices.

scholarly journals Development of a Measure of Rehabilitation Adherence for Athletic Training

2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan D. Granquist ◽  
Diane L. Gill ◽  
Renee N. Appaneal
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Certified Athletic Trainers ◽  
Main Outcome Measure ◽  
Optimal Outcomes ◽  
Training Facility ◽  
Rehabilitation Adherence ◽  
Good Internal Consistency

Context:Rehabilitation adherence is accepted as a critical component for attaining optimal outcomes. Poor adherence is recognized as a problem in the athletic training setting. Measurement has been inconsistent, and no measure has been developed for athletic training settings.Objective:To identify indicators of sportinjury rehabilitation adherence relevant to athletic training and develop a Rehabilitation Adherence Measure for Athletic Training (RAdMAT) based on these indicators.Design:Mixed methods, 3 steps.Setting:College athletic training facility.Participants:Practicing certified athletic trainers (ATCs; n = 7) generated items, experts (n = 12) reviewed them, and practicing ATCs (n = 164) completed the RAdMAT for their most, average, and least adherent athlete.Main Outcome Measure:RAdMAT.Results:The RAdMAT is 16 items with 3 subscales. Subscales and total have good internal consistency and clearly discriminate among adherence levels.Conclusions:The RAdMAT is based on scholarly literature and clinical practice, making it particularly appropriate for use in athletic training clinical practice or for research purposes.

scholarly journals Strategies for Highly Effective Athletic Training Education Program Directors: A Practical Approach to Interdependence

2007 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-25
Author(s):  
James E. Leone ◽  
Kimberly A. Gray
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Athletic Training Education ◽  
Literary Work ◽  
Program Directors ◽  
Professional Preparation ◽  
Certified Athletic Trainers ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Highly Effective

Objective: Following Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, this article seeks to communicate effective strategies for athletic training education Program Directors (PDs) to follow. Commentary of Covey's work and practical strategies to integrate them into PD practice and responsibilities are provided. Background: Due to a lack of professional preparation, Program Directors often relate to what they know best–working long hours to get the job accomplished. It is not uncommon for PDs to mirror the work schedules of clinically practicing certified athletic trainers. With this in mind, we propose approaching the role of PD using Stephen Covey's wisdom from his literary work, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Practical strategies for integrating Covey's work into a PD's daily responsibilities, as well as remaining compliant with CAATE Standard expectations, are discussed.

Characteristics of Athletic Training Students That Preceptors Find Desirable

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. David Carr ◽  
Spencer Thomas ◽  
Jenica Paulsen ◽  
Jennifer Chiu
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Communication Skills ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Athletic Training Students ◽  
Certified Athletic Trainers ◽  
Athletic Training Student

Context: Athletic training students acquire clinical hours under the direct supervision of athletic training preceptors. Objective: The purpose of this project was to explore what characteristics preceptors desire in their athletic training students. Design and Setting: Online survey instrument. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 286 certified athletic trainers (128 male, 158 female; average years experience 10.58 ± 8.48). Participants were required to be current preceptors and have 1 or more years of preceptor experience. Main Outcome Measure(s): An instrument of 21 questions, including 7 demographics, 13 Likert-scale (1 = not important; 10 = strongly important), and 1 rank order item was developed. Validity of the instrument was established by a review of experts. An analysis of internal consistency revealed an α of .834. Data was analyzed with SPSS (version 20.0; IBM Inc, Chicago, IL). Basic descriptive statistics were calculated, and an analysis of variance was conducted to determine differences. Results: Top 3 characteristics seen amongst all settings were initiative (mean = 9.091 ± 1.166), communication skills (mean = 8.769 ± 1.241), and intelligence (mean = 8.723 ± 1.247). Gender differences were observed in 4 of the 13 characteristics. Conclusions: Findings demonstrated initiative, communication skills, and intelligence to be perceived as the most important athletic training student characteristics. These findings differ with previous literature and the preliminary focus group findings, where emotional intelligence and communication skills were reported to be of greater importance.

Agreement of Clinical Judgments of Endfeel between 2 Sample Populations

2002 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy L. Hurley
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Clinical Judgments ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trials ◽  
Certified Athletic Trainers ◽  
Lachman Test ◽  
Diagnostic Skills ◽  
Examination Procedure ◽  
Orthopedic Surgeons

Context:The agreement of clinical judgments of endfeel between certified athletic trainers and orthopedic surgeons is not known.Objectives:To examine agreement of clinical judgments of endfeel between sample populations and explore the influence of clinician technique on sensitivity for determining ACL injury when performing an isolated examination procedure.Design:Randomized, blinded, controlled clinical trials.Setting:Laboratory.Subjects:1 orthopedic surgeon, 22 certified athletic trainers, and 12 model patients.Main Outcome Measures:Kappa coefficients were calculated to determine the agreement of clinical judgments of endfeel between the 2 populations sampled. Lachman-test sensitivity was measured using true positive and false negative interpretations.Results:Concurrence was poor for clinical judgments of endfeel. Sensitivity varied according to clinician technique.Conclusion:Agreement between the 2 populations sampled was influenced by the examiners’ diagnostic skills and their capacity to properly perform and interpret the Lachman test.

scholarly journals Deaflympians' Satisfaction With Athletic Training Services at the 2013 Deaflympic Summer Games

2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 708-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Paul Brancaleone ◽  
René Revis Shingles ◽  
Nailya DeLellis
Keyword(s):  
Athletic Training ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Frequency Of Use ◽  
Or Team ◽  
Training Services

Context:  Athletic trainers have the opportunity to treat unique populations. Determining athletes' satisfaction with the athletic training services supplied can offer insights into how to improve the health care provided to athletes. Objective:  To explore Deaflympians' satisfaction with athletic training services at the 2013 Deaflympic Summer Games. Design:  Cross-sectional survey. Setting:  The 2013 Deaflympic Summer Games in Sofia, Bulgaria. Patients or Other Participants:  Of the 115 Deaflympians contacted, 55 completed the questionnaire, for a 48% response rate (women = 33, men = 22). Main Outcome Measure(s):  The Medical Interview Satisfaction Survey–Athletic Training was used. The questionnaire gathered demographic data and included 25 Likert-scale items that assessed 6 components of athletic training. Descriptive statistics were calculated as normalized scores to adjust for the different numbers of questions for each item. On a 5-point scale, the scores ranged from 3.82 (management) to 4.24 (environment), with an overall satisfaction score of 3.89. We conducted comparison tests to assess possible differences in overall satisfaction and satisfaction components. Satisfaction with frequency of use of the athletic training room and knowledge were the only areas that showed statistically significant differences. Other differences were in perceptions of medical coverage among age groups and management between sexes. Results:  Satisfaction with the athletic training services provided was lower among these Deaflympians than among collegiate athletes in other studies. However, we observed no differences in overall satisfaction scores by age, sex, race, previous Deaflympic experience, or individual or team sport. Deaflympians who used and visited the athletic training facility more often had higher overall satisfaction scores than individuals who used and visited the facility less. Conclusions:  Deaflympians were satisfied with the athletic training services provided at the 2013 Deaflympic Summer Games.

scholarly journals Diagnostic Problem Solving in Male Collegiate Athletic Trainers

2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 521-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredrick A. Gardin ◽  
James M. Mensch
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Athletic Training ◽  
National Collegiate Athletic Association ◽  
Athletic Trainers ◽  
Years Of Experience ◽  
Diagnostic Problem ◽  
Certified Athletic Trainers ◽  
Diagnostic Problem Solving ◽  
National Athletic Trainers Association ◽  
College Setting

Context: Knowledge and experience may be important factors for understanding expertise based upon a clinician's ability to select and execute an appropriate response as a clinician during injury evaluation. Objective: To describe how collegiate male certified athletic trainers represent injury-evaluation domain knowledge during a situational interview using a think-aloud protocol. Design: Qualitative. Setting: National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and II colleges in National Athletic Trainers' Association District 3. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 20 male certified athletic trainers (n = 10 with less than 2 years of experience in the college setting and n = 10 with at least 10 years of experience in the college setting) participated in the study. Data Collection and Analysis: We collected data using a situational interview and questionnaire. Data were transcribed, reduced to meaningful units, and analyzed using verbal analysis procedures. Member checks, triangulation of data, field journaling, and peer-debriefing techniques were used to ensure trustworthiness of the data. Knowledge concepts were enumerated to describe differences between experts and novices. Results: Compared with novices, experts had more knowledge concepts of patient history and predictions and fewer concepts of situation appraisal. Conclusions: Expertise in athletic training shares traits with other areas in health care. Athletic training education and professional development may benefit from our understanding which cognitive processes differentiate expert practice. Future investigators should attempt to describe other settings and study diagnostic problem solving in a natural environment.

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