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Nutrition Competency of Certified Athletic Trainers

Marinaro, Laura M.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1216051727

Abstract Details

2008, Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Akron, Nutrition and Dietetics.
Since certified athletic trainers have been shown to be a key source of nutrition information for athletes, it is essential that they have an adequate amount of nutrition competency in order to appropriately answer questions and make referrals. The purpose of this study was to assess the nutrition competency of certified athletic trainers. Secondary purposes were to determine if differences in nutrition competency existed based on demographics or self-rated level of nutrition competency. An instrument consisting of 9 demographic and 24 nutrition competency questions was developed and reviewed by a panel of experts for face and content validity. After pilot testing, a random sample of 1000 certified athletic trainers working in the high school and collegiate settings were emailed requesting their anonymous participation in the online survey. Descriptive statistics described general competency while ANOVAs and t tests explored potential group differences based on demographics and self-rated level of nutrition competency. All statistics were run using SPSS 15.0 for Mac; tests were considered significant at the p < 0.05 level. For the 280 participants, the average score on the nutrition competency questions was 76.2 ± 12.8. Although the overall competency was good, pre-event meals and eating disorders were revealed as areas of weakness. Limited differences based on demographics were found. Participants holding a terminal degree (84.2 ± 13.8) achieved higher scores than those holding a bachelor's degree (74.0 ± 12.6), p = 0.014. Also, those with an athletic performance related certification (81.3 ± 9.2) scored higher than those without (74.9 ± 13.2), p = 0.001. Differences in scores were also revealed between groups of athletic trainers based on their self-rated level of nutrition competency. The scores of those who rated their competency as very low, low, moderate, high, and very high scored 61.7 ± 9.9, 69.7 ± 16.1, 75.8 ± 11.7, 82.1 ± 11.3, and 87.5 ± 9.5, respectively. The findings of this investigation have positive implications for athletes who bring their nutrition concerns to athletic trainers. Minor limitations identified may be addressed through athletic training education programs as well as continuing education opportunities.
Lonnie Lowery, PhD (Advisor)
92 p.
Certified athletic trainers; athletic training education; nutrition; cognitive knowledge

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Marinaro, L. M. (2008). Nutrition Competency of Certified Athletic Trainers [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1216051727

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Marinaro, Laura. Nutrition Competency of Certified Athletic Trainers. 2008. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1216051727.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Marinaro, Laura. "Nutrition Competency of Certified Athletic Trainers." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1216051727

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1216051727
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© 2008, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.