National Trends in Athletic Training Service Provision in U.S. High Schools: A Five-Year Longitudinal Assessment.
| Title: | National Trends in Athletic Training Service Provision in U.S. High Schools: A Five-Year Longitudinal Assessment. |
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| Authors: | Kim D; Department of Kinesiology, Korey Stringer Institute, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.; Eason CM; Department of Kinesiology, Korey Stringer Institute, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.; Grubb JW; Department of Kinesiology, Korey Stringer Institute, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.; Casa DJ; Department of Kinesiology, Korey Stringer Institute, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.; Coleman K; Department of Health and Movement Sciences, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT.; Filep EM; School of Sport Science, Endicott College, Beverly, MA.; Huggins RA; Department of Kinesiology, Korey Stringer Institute, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. |
| Source: | Current sports medicine reports [Curr Sports Med Rep] 2026 May 01; Vol. 25 (5), pp. 147-156. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 May 01. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Current Science Inc Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101134380 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1537-8918 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 1537890X NLM ISO Abbreviation: Curr Sports Med Rep Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: Philadelphia, PA : Current Science Inc., c2002- |
| MeSH Terms: | Schools*/trends ; Physical Conditioning, Human*/trends ; Physical Education and Training*/trends ; Sports*/trends; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; United States ; Adolescent ; Athletes |
| Abstract: | This study examined 5-year longitudinal changes in athletic training services in U.S. high schools. Variables included per-school averages of student-athletes, sports, athletic trainers, full-time athletic trainers, and part-time athletic trainers; weekly average of total contracted and actual athletic training services hours; and ratios of student-athletes:athletic trainers, sports:athletic trainers, contracted athletic training services hours:student-athletes, actual athletic training services hours:student-athletes, contracted athletic training services hours:sports, and actual athletic training services hours:sports. Over 5 years, student-athletes increased by 20.02, sports by 1.14, athletic trainers by 0.03, full-time athletic trainers by 0.10, contracted athletic training services hours by 3.63, actual athletic training services hours by 3.03, and sports: athletic trainers by 0.69, while part-time athletic trainers decreased by -0.10 (all P < 0.050). Despite increases in student-athletes and sports, athletic trainers, contracted athletic training services hours, and actual athletic training services hours also increased, while student-athletes: athletic trainers, contracted athletic training services hours: student-athletes, and actual athletic training services hours: student-athletes did not significantly change (all P > 0.050). Our findings also suggest a shift toward full-time athletic trainer staffing, which is encouraging. This study provides valuable evidence for future athletic training services research and for improving policies on high school sports safety.; (Copyright © 2026 by the American College of Sports Medicine.) |
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| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260505 Date Completed: 20260505 Latest Revision: 20260505 |
| Update Code: | 20260505 |
| DOI: | 10.1249/JSR.0000000000001338 |
| PMID: | 42084401 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Journal Article