Korey Stringer Institute, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs.
School of Health Sciences, Lasell University, Newton, MA. Dr Pike Lacy is now at the Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, A.T. Still University, Mesa.
J Athl Train. 2019 Nov;54(11):1140-1148. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-29-19. Epub 2019 Sep 25.
Legislation has played a role in advancing the athletic training profession and improving the health and safety of student-athletes. However, few researchers have examined state legislators' perceptions and awareness of the skills and qualifications accompanying the athletic trainer (AT) role.
To explore state legislators' perceptions of the athletic training profession and knowledge related to qualifications and responsibilities of ATs.
Cross-sectional study.
Web-based questionnaire.
State legislators representing 34 states (N = 143; 67.13% male, 32.87% female). Their average age was 58.7 ± 11.7 years, and they had served 7.4 ± 6.9 years in their current role. A majority served as members of the state house or assembly (n = 98, 68.5%), and 31.5% served in the state senate.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Spearman ρ correlations assessed relationships between perceptions and knowledge of the profession. Stepwise regression analysis determined predictors of knowledge and perceived value of athletic training. Qualitative data were analyzed inductively.
Approximately 69% of respondents considered an AT to be a trusted source of medical information, and 16% considered an AT as the most appropriate individual to provide medical care to an injured athlete on a daily basis. Thirty percent of state legislators selected as a top sports safety measure. Three themes emerged from the inductive analysis: (1) recognition of the prevention domain, (2) misconception of ATs as personal trainers or strength and conditioning coaches, and (3) lack of knowledge regarding ATs' educational requirements.
Legislators demonstrated limited knowledge of the AT profession. When legislator knowledge of AT qualifications and responsibilities was high, value of the AT profession also significantly improved. Future efforts should focus on enhancing legislators' knowledge to increase the value placed on the athletic training profession and improve health and safety for secondary school athletes.
立法在推进运动训练专业的发展和提高学生运动员的健康和安全方面发挥了作用。然而，很少有研究人员研究过州议员对运动训练师（AT）角色所伴随的技能和资格的看法和认识。
探讨州议员对运动训练专业的看法以及与 AT 的资格和职责相关的知识。
横断面研究。
基于网络的问卷调查。
代表 34 个州的州议员（N=143；67.13%为男性，32.87%为女性）。他们的平均年龄为 58.7±11.7 岁，当前任期为 7.4±6.9 年。大多数人担任州众议院或议会成员（n=98，68.5%），31.5%担任州参议院议员。
使用描述性统计分析对定量数据进行分析。Spearman ρ 相关性评估了对专业的看法和知识之间的关系。逐步回归分析确定了对运动训练的知识和感知价值的预测因素。对定性数据进行了归纳分析。
约 69%的受访者认为 AT 是医疗信息的可靠来源，16%的受访者认为 AT 是日常为受伤运动员提供医疗服务的最合适人选。30%的州议员将作为顶级运动安全措施之一。归纳分析中出现了三个主题：（1）对预防领域的认可，（2）对 AT 作为私人教练或力量与调节教练的误解，以及（3）对 AT 教育要求的了解不足。
立法者对 AT 专业的知识有限。当立法者对 AT 资格和职责的了解程度较高时，对 AT 专业的重视程度也会显著提高。未来的努力应集中在提高立法者的知识水平上，以提高对运动训练专业的重视程度，提高中学运动员的健康和安全水平。
