Pilot study into knowledge and confidence of sports trainers in community level Australian rules football leagues

Australian Rules football (ARF) is a common team sport played in Australia. Injury rates from ARF are higher than most sport and recreational activities in Australia, with substantial cost to the community from injuries. The aim of this research was to investigate if community level ARF sports trainers responsible for dealing with injuries have appropriate first aid qualifications, knowledge and confidence. There was no known research in this area for Australian football. A questionnaire was designed and distributed to two Melbourne metropolitan community level ARF leagues (65 clubs) via post. Sports trainers were invited to provide details of qualifications, injury recording and club rules for injuries, Trainers were also questioned on their responses to injury scenarios and their confidence in dealing with certain injuries. Only eight completed questionnaires were returned. Most respondents had first aid qualifications but did not record injury reports. Club injury recovery procedures were non-existent. Only 50% of respondents correctly answered the "player choking" injury scenario. Many trainers reported not referring players and treatment injuries themselves, before acting outside their role and responsibilities as a trainer. the results of the study emphasize the need for providers of first aid training to reassess their teaching of various injury scenarios and the importance of referring injured players to appropriate health practitioners. Sporting leagues should regulate that all trainers complete an accredited sports first aid qualification to ensure confidence and competence of their trainers and potentially reduce complications from sports injuries. Further research in the area is needed. This minor thesis was written by a post-graduate student as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program