Experiences and Attitudes of Collegiate Athletic Trainers Regarding Alcohol-Related Unintentional Injury in Athletes

Abstract

Context: Alcohol-related unintentional injury (ARUI) has been an unexamined consequence of alcohol consumption by collegiate athletes. It has a potentially devastating effect on their athletic performances and careers. Awareness of this problem in athletes could have a huge effect on what athletic trainers (ATs) do to recognize, treat, and prevent it in a collegiate athlete population.Objective: To examine the experiences and attitudes among collegiate and university ATs about ARUI in the athletes in their care.Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Web-based survey. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 1767 e-mail addresses for collegiate and university ATs within National Athletic Trainers' Association Districts 1, 2, 3, and 9.Main Outcome Measure(s): We calculated frequencies, percentages, and attitudes of ATs regarding ARUI in collegiate athletes during the 2010-2011 academic year.Results: The resulting sample size for the analysis was 459 (26.0%) participants of the initial total sample. More than 56% (n ¼ 260) of the ATs reported that they had evaluated, treated, or referred if needed at least 1 ARUI in a collegiate athlete. On average, these ATs had evaluated, treated, or referred if needed 3 alcohol-related unintentional injuries within the 2010-2011ac-ademic year. About 73% (n ¼ 331) of ATs agreed that ARUI is a serious problem. Nearly 80% (n ¼ 358) indicated they believe ATs should receive more training to identify student-athletes with alcohol-related problems.Conclusions: Alcohol-related unintentional injury is a common and serious consequence of alcohol use among collegiate athletes. Many ATs also view it as a serious problem yet would like more training in how to address it. Alcohol-related unintentional injury may have important negative effects on the careers and athletic performances of athletes. Researchers need to determine how prevalent ARUI is in the collegiate athlete population and what ATs can do to address it.Key Words: alcohol use, alcohol-related consequences, collegiate athletes Key PointsMany athletic trainers view alcohol-related unintentional injury as a serious consequence of alcohol use among collegiate athletes. Alcohol-related unintentional injury could negatively affect the careers and athletic performances of athletes. Researchers need to determine the prevalence of alcohol-related unintentional injury in collegiate athletes and how athletic trainers can address it. R esearchers clearly have demonstrated that collegiate athletes consume a greater quantity of alcohol than the general collegiate student population. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] In addition, male collegiate athletes and team leaders seem to be at particular risk for this behavior. [1][2][3]8,9 Given this highrisk behavior, student-athletes are at greater risk for experiencing consequences related to alcohol use, including hangovers, injuries, academic problems, driving while intoxicated, and riding with an intoxicated driver.

Comparison of Pregaming Alcohol Use and Consequences by Season Status and Sex in College Student Athletes

“…Specifically, out-of-season athletes (i.e., those not in their traditional season in which a championship is held) reported consuming greater quantities of alcohol and experiencing more negative consequences than in-season athletes (Mastroleo et al., 2018). Consequences of these behaviors have included: blackouts, symptoms of depression, injuries, decreased academic performance, legal problems, and sexual assaults (Brenner et al., 2014; Leichliter et al., 1998). Two common activities associated with heavy episodic drinking are engaging in pregaming and playing drinking games (Grossbard et al., 2007).…”

Alcoholic beverage preferences and consumption among Polish professional athletes

“…When athletes consume alcohol, metabolic, somatic as well as psychological dysfunctions can take place. this causes an increase in the occurrence of injuries while lowering training effectiveness [1][2][3][4]. Pathophysiological effects of alcohol include a decrease in physical fitness and cardiorespiratory performance, as well as impairment of thermoregulatory and psychological functions.…”

Exploring the Athletic Trainer's Role in Assisting Student-Athletes Presenting With Alcohol-Related Unintentional Injuries

“…To establish a baseline level of understanding, we must assess ATs' (a) experiences treating, evaluating, or referring athletes presenting with ARUIs; (b) confidence intervening with ARUI among athletes; (c) educational preparation to counsel athletes presenting with ARUIs; and (d) knowledge of the effects of alcohol on athletic performance. 9,10,[37][38][39][40] For example, using aspects of the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) 41 program would appropriately parallel the functions and roles of ATs when addressing an ARUI. Findings from these assessments can then be used to determine changes resulting from appropriate educational programs designed to equip ATs with appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities.…”

“…9 Not surprisingly, Brenner et al 9 observed that most ATs (73.4%) assert that ARUIs are a serious problem affecting the health of collegiate athletes, with 65.7% believing that they should be involved in the alcohol-related screening process for student-athletes. In addition, Brenner et al reported that most ATs contend that more training is necessary to help them (1) identify student-athletes with ARUIs (79%), (2) confront student-athletes with alcoholrelated problems (79.7%), and (3) involve themselves in the referral process (92%).…”

“…In addition, Brenner et al reported that most ATs contend that more training is necessary to help them (1) identify student-athletes with ARUIs (79%), (2) confront student-athletes with alcoholrelated problems (79.7%), and (3) involve themselves in the referral process (92%). 9 Furthermore, most head ATs have also expressed interest in becoming more involved with alcohol intervention programs. 7 Considering that most university ATs already are substantially involved with regularly evaluating and treating non-alcohol-related injuries among student-athletes, ATs can and should play important roles in recognizing and evaluating ARUIs among student-athletes, especially given their expressed desire for more training in the intervention, prevention, and referral of ARUIs.…”