Date of Award

6-2003

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Human Performance and Health Education

First Advisor

Dr. Donna M. Ritenour

Second Advisor

Dr. Michael G. Miller

Third Advisor

Dr. Gayle A. Thompson

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

As the athletic training profession continues to expand, it is necessary to evaluate the preparedness of the entry-level certified athletic trainer (ATC). The purpose of this research is to determine if entry-level certified athletic trainers perceive that they have the knowledge and skills necessary to perform specific tasks related to therapeutic exercise.

An online questionnaire was sent out to 450 entry-level certified athletic trainers in District Four. A total of 69 subjects returned the survey for a response rate of 15.3%. The questionnaire utilized a Likert-type scale consisting of questions derived in the area of therapeutic exercise of the NATA Education Council's Clinical Proficiencies.

Results indicate that entry-level ATCs in this study perceived to have a high level of comfort with the majority of therapeutic exercise clinical proficiencies. Differences existed between gender, educational background and type of degree with PNF, joint mobilizations, assessing end point, instructing activity specific skills, progressive resistive strength techniques, and instructing the use of rehabilitation equipment were all found to be significant (p< .05).

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