Athletic Training Psychology

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Pages: 6

Cormier, Marc L., and Sam J. Zizzi. "Athletic Trainers' Skills In Identifying And Managing Athletes Experiencing Psychological Distress". Journal of Athletic Training 50.12 (2015): 1267-1276.

Objective: To understand the use of sports psychology interventions in the athletic training setting. As sports become more specialized, miniscule and traditional objective measures are not the only thing being used in the rehabilitation of an athlete. In this study, our researchers ask the questions to assess Athletic Trainers (ATs) intelligence and practicability of sports psychology in their rehabilitation protocols. They all assess if ATs are qualified through their training (undergraduate) to perform these types of interventions.
Need of Study:
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However, fewer than half of the ATs (38.3%) chose the appropriate course of action for the patient with moderate symptoms: 61% of respondents over referred this athlete, choosing to consult with a supervisor/mental health professional (59%) or immediately refer the athlete to a mental health professional (2%).” The reason that this is directly quoted is due to the response and difficulty I have of understanding the problem. We see a considerably high number of ATs correctly choose a proper reaction for the low and high level of symptoms associated with the case studies, no argument. However, we see critical data about the over referral of our athletes. 38.3% chose correctly the correct appropriate course of action. We see a 61% of clinicians over referring. So with some basic math, 99.3% of clinicians were able to have that soccer player see someone, regardless if they needed it. Along with the over referrals, we look at possible solutions and strategies chosen. In the low and moderate categories, ATs agreed with the expert panel; on the high unfortunately they do not. Many of the ATs identified every strategy while the experts only agreed on 4. Even though ATs once again are over cautious, they are using strategies to help this athlete. Unlike medications, over prescribing and trying other tools can help this athlete later in