Athletic training and sport psychology: Skills used in athletic training

It has been estimated that between 3 to 5 million injuries occur each year as a direct result of participation in an athletic or recreational activity (Hardy & Crace, 1990; Kraus & Conroy, 1984). Athletic trainers are recognized as the primary health-care professional caring for injured athletes (NATA, 1992a). Counseling is a role athletic trainers are expected to fill (NATA, 1992b), however little is known about their utilization of sport psychology skills and techniques in their work with athletes.;The purpose of this study was to investigate the application, attitudes, and beliefs of a variety of psychological strategies and techniques used by athletic trainers in the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries.;The Athletic Training and Sport Psychology Questionnaire (ATSPQ) was adapted from a questionnaire developed by Wiese, Weiss, & Yukelson (1991); and from Brewer, Van Raalte, & Linder (1991).;There was a 50% return rate of the ATSPQ. Results revealed that 47% of the athletic trainers responding believe that every injured athlete suffers psychological as well as physiological trauma. Also, athletic trainers in this study often encounter the conditions of stress/anxiety, anger, lack of treatment compliance, and depression in association with athletic injuries.;Of the 482 athletic trainers surveyed 24% reported that they have referred an athlete for counseling for situations related to their injury. The top 5 skills used by athletic trainers in assisting injured athletes were: keeping the athlete involved with the team (54.4%); the use of short-term goals (49.1%); encouraging positive self-thoughts (40.2%); creating variety in rehabilitation exercises (36.1%); and encouraging effective communication skills (34.3%).;Athletic trainers identified six traits for athletes who successfully cope with an athletic injury; those traits were: comply with rehabilitation/treatment program (42%); positive attitude about injury and life (29%); motivated to work hard during rehabilitation (29%); dedicated, determined, or strong desire to return to sport (26%); asks questions, knowledgeable about injury and rehabilitation (21%); and is focused, uses goals in rehabilitation (19%).;Athletic trainers utilize many sport psychology interventions in their work with injured athletes, and have a desire to learn practical measures to more effectively use those intervention strategies. Therefore this study concludes that future training of athletic trainers should include the psychological aspect of injury treatment and rehabilitation specifically designed for athletic trainers.