Coaches Knowledge of First Aid/CPR and

Concussion Management
Michelle Lewis
Immaculata University
Advisor: Dr. Kelly A. Stalker, Department of Human Movement Sciences

Abstract

Results

Methods
Participants:15 Coaches
10 Head Coaches: 5 Assistant Coaches
11 Males: 4 Females

Approximately 7.8 million high school students participate in athletics

each year, about 2 million athletes a year that participate will obtain an
injury (Cross et al., 2010). In an ideal world a physician or athletic trainer
would be present when an injury occurs, but most physicians do not have
the time and 58 percent of schools do not have athletic trainers (Cross et
al., 2012; Cooper, 2013). Without the presence of a physician or an athletic
trainer, the administration turns to the coaches to assume responsibility for
managing the injured athletes. In this study, 50 head and assistant
coaches were given a survey via Survey Monkey to assess their
knowledge on first aid and concussion management. A total of 15 coaches
(30%) responded to the study. Analysis was conducted to determine
differences between gender, head or assistant coach status, full or part
time status, age, education level, sport coaching, and experience.

Method:
Survey via Survey Monkey
3 Questions on Comfort Level of Injuries
10 Questions on Preparedness of Injuries
7 Scenario Questions
8 Open-Ended Questions
Pilot Study was completed and given to 12 health care personnel (9 Athletic
Trainers, 2 Physical Therapists, and 1 Exercise Physiologist) regarding the
content of the survey.

Conclusions

42% of high schools in the United States have athletic trainers

available (Cross et al., 2012; Cooper et al., 2013).

A little over half of the United States mandates yearly training to

coaches in concussion management and less than half mandate CPR
and first aid training to coaches (NASBE, 2013; NCSL, 2014).

When no physician or athletic trainer is present, the administration

turns to the coaches to assume responsibility of caring for the athletes
(Cross et al., 2010; Cross et al., 2012).

Out of the 8 open-ended questions, in total coaches answer 57% of the

questions right.
Coaches over the age of 40 felt more prepared to handle cervical
injuries (p=.040).
Coaches that were not certified in CPR/First Aid felt less prepared to
handle an athlete with dehydration then a certified coach (p=.016).

Purpose/Hypotheses
The purpose of this study was to determine the level of knowledge and
management of injuries of coaches at a Southeastern Pennsylvania high
school.
Hypotheses:
Coaches have adequate knowledge in injuries and concussion
management.
No Differences will be found based on:
Gender
Level of Education
Differences will be found based on:
Coaching Experience
Head vs. Assistant Coach
Age

53% of coaches reported that headache was the number indicator

that an athlete has sustained a concussion.
All 12 health care personnel indicated that headache was the
number one indicator that an athlete has sustained a concussion.

Cooper, L., Johannessen, L., Quigley, D., McAllister, D., Hoehn, T., Harper., Peterson, B., Newman, D., Mathis, K., DiManna, D. L., Ritter, S., Dean, C., & Lowe, R. (2013). Position proposal guide for certified athletic trainers in secondary school athletic programs. National Athletic Trainers Association: Health Care for Life& Sport, 1-69.
Cross, P., Karges, J., Adamson, A., Arnold, M., Meird, C., & Hood,J. (2010). Assessing the need for knowledge on injury management among high school athletic coaches in South Dakota. The Journal of The South Dakota Medicine Association, 63(7), 241-245.
Cross, P., Karges, J., Horkey, M., Kolb, G., Alexander, K., Knipping, A., & Jocobsen, J. (2012). Management of acute sports injuries and medical conditions by South Dakota high school head coaches; Assessment via case scenarios. South Dakota Medicine; The Journal of The South Dakota Medicine Association, 65(3) 97.
National Association of State Boards of Education, (2013), Requirements for Physical Educators. Retrieved October 14, 2014 from www.nasbe.org/healthy_schools/hs/bytopics.php?topicid=21904catExpand+acdnbtm_catB.
National Conference of State Legislators, (2014). Traumatic Brain Injury Legislation. Retrieved October 14, 2014 from www.ncsl.org/research/health/traumatic-brain-injury-legislation.aspx.

No significant differences were found at the p=.05 level; however, at the

p=.100 level:
When an athlete complains of a slight headache, part time coaches
are less likely to return an athlete to play than full time coaches
(p=0.055).
Male coaches are more likely to report an athlete that takes a hit to
the head to the athletic trainer (p=.058).

Future research should be conducted at multiple schools within the state

as well as out of the state for more validity.
When conducting further research, it is advised to make the survey
shorter for convenience purposes.