Division I Football Players' Perceptions of Females in the Athletic Training Room

Abstract

Previous research (Drummond, Hostetter, Laguna, Gillentine & Del Rossi, 2007) concluded that male and female athletes feel more comfortable with treatment by a same gender athletic trainer for gender-specific injuries and illnesses. This study investigated male athletes, specifically football players, and their comfort level with male and female athletic trainers for gender and non-gender specific injuries and illnesses. This study used an existing methodology and survey (Drummond et al.) to determine male athletes comfort level. An open-ended question was used to determine male football players’ perceptions of female athletic trainers. Results indicated that male football players are more comfortable with treatment by a male athletic trainer for gender-specific injuries and illnesses. Interestingly, males were more comfortable with treatment by female athletic trainers for psychological conditions, and were equally comfortable for injuries and illnesses to other parts of the body. Qualitative data revealed male football players’ attitudes and perceptions are generally equal for male and female athletic trainers in the athletic training room. Discussion is provided on these results.