Self-reported health and fitness habits of certified athletic trainers.

CONTEXT

As health care providers, certified athletic trainers (ATs) should be role models for healthy behaviors.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the self-reported health and fitness habits of ATs.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional, cluster random sample.

SETTING

Online questionnaire.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Of a sampling frame of 1000 potential participants, 275 ATs completed the questionnaire.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Health habits and activity were based on a typical 7-day week.

RESULTS

A total of 41% of the participants met the exercise recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine; 7% reported being sedentary. Differences were noted between the sexes for fitness habits (P < .035) and composite health score (P < .001). None of the ATs reported meeting the Daily Reference Intake for all 5 food groups. Seven percent of female ATs consumed more alcohol than recommended, compared with 2% of males. However, 80% of males and 93% of females reported consuming 5 or fewer drinks per week. Only 0.8% reported currently smoking.

CONCLUSIONS

This sample of ATs had better health and fitness habits than the general population but did not meet professional recommendations set forth by the American College of Sports Medicine or the United States Department of Agriculture. Thus, these ATs were not ideal role models in demonstrating healthy behaviors.