Date of Award

6-2007

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Human Performance and Health Education

First Advisor

Dr. Suzan F. Ayers

Second Advisor

Dr. Michael G. Miller

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to analyze the health and fitness habits of ATCs. One thousand participants from the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers' Association (GLATA District 4) were invited to participate in the study. Two-hundred and seventy-five ATCs completed the questionnaire. The questionnaire was a 23-item health habits and activity questionnaire divided into four sections: fitness, nutrition, alcohol and tobacco and demographics. It was pilot tested before administration with a reliability coefficient of .73. Participants were sent an email invitation with a link to the questionnaire and were given five weeks to complete the questionnaire. Analyses were run on exercise, nutrition, alcohol and tobacco habits. Of the respondents, 40. 7% met the exercise recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and 6.9% reported being sedentary. Significant differences were found between genders for fitness habits and composite health score. Seven percent of female ATCs consumed more alcohol than is recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) compared to only 1. 7% of males. Only .8% reported that they currently smoke. ATCs have better health and fitness habits than the general population, but do not meet the professional recommendations set forth by the ACSM or the USDA. Our study reveals inappropriate role model behaviors by ATCs for athletes' behaviors.

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