Athletic Trainers Could Assist 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 Ok. J Athl Prepare. 2023 Jan 16. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-0454.22. Epub forward of print. PMID: 36645830.

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Take-Residence Message

Over 40% of adolescents taking part in sports activities reported that their coach didn’t present concussion training data to them previously yr. This lack of communication could also be related to a scarcity of entry to athletic trainers throughout video games and practices.

Background

Coaches can present concussion training and exert a constructive affect, translating concussion data to wholesome behaviors, reminiscent of reporting suspected concussions. Coaches who full concussion coaching and relay that data to their athletes positively affect an athlete’s view on concussions. Nonetheless, it’s unknown how usually coaches talk about concussion training with the athletes or whether or not the presence of an athletic coach aids in higher coach-to-athlete concussion communication.

Examine Aim

The authors used survey knowledge to look at how usually coaches present concussion security data to their athletes and if this assorted 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 concerning concussion historical past, concussion security data, how involved they imagine their coach is concerning concussion security, and the frequency of athletic trainers at video games and practices previously yr. The authors took statistical steps to make sure that the information represented adolescents all through america.

Outcomes

Amongst 829 adolescents, 39% reported taking part in sports activities in the course of 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 obtained a handout, and 23% indicated that their coach despatched them an electronic mail or had a video to look at previously 12 months. Total, 58% of adolescent athletes reported that their coach mentioned or offered details about concussions. Extra youth athletes taking part 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 apply (55%) or video games (55%). Youth athletes taking part 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 talk about concussions nor present concussion data. The authors discovered that gaining access to an athletic coach could enhance communication between coaches and youth athletes. It might be fascinating 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 enhance a coach’s concussion communication with athletes could be useful. Moreover, this research targeted on whether or not the coach offered data, not the standard of that data. It might be fascinating to know the way effectively the training labored. Coaches with out entry to athletic trainers could 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 persistently educate athletes about concussions to enhance reporting behaviors amongst youth athletes. Moreover, athletic trainers positively affect coach-to-youth communication. Therefore, once we encourage directors to rent full-time athletic trainers, we are able to remind them that athletic trainers may also 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 training? If that’s the case, have you ever seen higher outcomes in communication, data, and reporting conduct?

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Written by Jane McDevitt
Reviewed by Jeffrey Driban