Athletic Trainers Could Help in Coach-to-Athlete Concussion Communication

Provision of concussion data from coaches and presence of athletic trainers: Findings from the 2021 YouthStyles Survey

Daugherty J, Waltzman D, Sarmiento Okay. J Athl Practice. 2023 Jan 16. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-0454.22. Epub forward of print. PMID: 36645830.

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Take-House Message

Over 40% of adolescents collaborating in sports activities reported that their coach didn’t present concussion schooling data to them prior to now 12 months. This lack of communication could also be related to an absence of entry to athletic trainers throughout video games and practices.

Background

Coaches can present concussion schooling and exert a optimistic affect, translating concussion information to wholesome behaviors, comparable to reporting suspected concussions. Coaches who full concussion coaching and relay that data to their athletes positively affect an athlete’s view on concussions. Nevertheless, it’s unknown how typically coaches focus on concussion schooling with the athletes or whether or not the presence of an athletic coach aids in higher coach-to-athlete concussion communication.

Research Purpose

The authors used survey information to look at how typically coaches present concussion security data to their athletes and if this various primarily based on the presence of athletic trainers at video games and practices.

Strategies

In June 2021, adolescents dwelling with dad and mom who’re members of the Ipsos’ KnowledgePanel had been invited to reply the annual YouthStyle Internet-based survey. About 48% of invited adolescents accomplished the survey questions relating to concussion historical past, concussion security data, how involved they consider their coach is relating to concussion security, and the frequency of athletic trainers at video games and practices prior to now 12 months. The authors took statistical steps to make sure that the information represented adolescents all through the US.

Outcomes

Amongst 829 adolescents, 39% reported collaborating in sports activities through the previous 12 months: 1) solely in school-based sports activities (19%), 2) solely in sports activities leagues (13%), or in each (7%). Essentially the most generally reported sports activities included basketball and soccer. Virtually half (47%) of youth athletes reported that their coach mentioned concussions. Moreover, 32% acknowledged they acquired a handout, and 23% indicated that their coach despatched them an e mail or had a video to observe prior to now 12 months. Total, 58% of adolescent athletes reported that their coach mentioned or supplied details about concussions. Extra youth athletes collaborating in school-based sports activities (65%) reported receiving this data in contrast with athletes solely in non-school sports activities leagues (39%). About half of the youth athletes reported having an athletic coach at observe (55%) or video games (55%). Youth athletes collaborating in school-based sports activities reported extra frequent entry to athletic trainers (72%) than these competing on non-school-based sports activities groups (49%). Amongst youth athletes that at all times/typically had an athletic coach, 63% reported that the coach talked to them about concussions, in comparison with 24% of youth athletes that not often or by no means had entry to athletic trainers.

Viewpoints 

4 in 10 athletes report that their coaches don’t focus on concussions nor present concussion data. The authors discovered that accessing an athletic coach might improve communication between coaches and youth athletes. It might be attention-grabbing to know if the athletic coach will increase the quantity of communication as a result of they supply assets to the coaches to share with athletes. Understanding how athletic trainers can improve a coach’s concussion communication with athletes can be useful. Moreover, this examine targeted on whether or not the coach supplied data, not the standard of that data. It might be attention-grabbing to understand how effectively the schooling labored. Coaches with out entry to athletic trainers might present the athletes with concussion data, however the athlete doesn’t bear in mind it as a result of it wasn’t useful.  

Medical Implications

We should encourage coaches to constantly educate athletes about concussions to enhance reporting behaviors amongst youth athletes. Moreover, athletic trainers positively affect coach-to-youth communication. Therefore, after we encourage directors to rent full-time athletic trainers, we will remind them that athletic trainers may help coaches higher talk about concussions and different accidents to their athletes. 

Questions for Dialogue

Do you attempt to get coaches to talk to the athletes about concussion schooling? If that’s the case, have you ever seen higher outcomes in communication, information, and reporting conduct?

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Written by Jane McDevitt
Reviewed by Jeffrey Driban