The Prevalence Of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders In Certified Members Of The National Athletic Trainer's Association

Abstract

PURPOSE: To examine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among certified athletic trainers (ATC) who are members of the National Athletic Trainers' Association. METHODS: A random sample of 6,500 ATC representing three employment settings was sampled using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. A response rate of 34.4 % was achieved using an electronic survey via email. RESULTS: Female ATC reported significantly (p<0.006) more WRMD in the past 12 months than males in the neck, shoulders, wrist/hand, upper back, and hip/thigh, whereas male ATC reported significantly (p=0.013) greater WRMD in the elbow/forearm. Female ATC reported a significant lifetime prevalence of WRMD in the neck and wrist/hand (p<0.016). Younger ATC (20-30 year old v. 30-66+ year old) reported significantly (p<0.043) greater WRMD in the neck, shoulder, elbow/forearm, upper back, low back, and hip/thigh regions. ATC employed for 0-5 years reported significant WRMD for the neck, shoulders, and upper back (p<0.044), while those employed for more than 6 years reported significant WRMD for the elbow/forearm and hip/thigh (p<0.003). No significant differences were seen between the number of hours worked per week and WRMD, nor ATC employment setting (clinical, college/university, and high school). Finally, low back had the highest prevalence rate of WRMD at 67.9%, followed by the neck 60.0%, the shoulder 46.3%, the knee 38.3%, the upper back 34.9%, the wrist/hand 31.0%, the ankle/foot 30.9%, the hip/thigh 16.5%, and finally the elbow/forearm 15.8%. CONCLUSIONS: ATC do suffer a high prevalence of WRMD in several body regions. Factors such as gender, age, and the number of years employed in the profession revealed a significant relationship between ATC and WRMD. Based off this current study, the need to spread awareness of WRMD in ATC, the need to incorporate WRMD discussions into the education process of athletic training student's, and the need to incorporate education of WRMD and safety measures in the clinical setting to prevent WRMD from occurring in the workplace are suggestions for the athletic training profession.