Coaches' knowledge of basic injury management

This study examined high school coaches' knowledge of basic injury management. Originally 24 coaches from the Fremont Union School District who received less than 80% on the pretest were invited to attend a Basic Injury Management Clinic (BIMC). Coaches were reluctant to participate in the clinic, therefore the BIMC was not provided. Results showed that men and women performed similarly on the sports safety test. "Walk-on" coaches scored the lowest with a mean score of 79%. Credentialed teachers with a physical education background scored the highest (91%). For the most part, coaches with more years of experience scored higher than less experienced coaches and coaches of non-contact sports scored higher than coaches of contact sports. These scores raise serious concerns when taking into consideration the rate of injury that occurs in contact sports as well as the number of teams coached by non-credentialed teachers without backgrounds in physical education.