Perceived Relative Advantage of Intravenous Rehydration being a standard protocol for Certified Athletic Trainers

Abstract

Abstract

Heat-related illnesses are a common occurrence in all types of sports, and can have the ability to have devastating effects on the individual. Because of the harmful effects, intravenous injection of rehydrating fluids has been proposed as an effective treatment option. Currently there are twenty-five to thirty thousand Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC's) in the U.S. Of these ATC's one thousand participants were randomly chosen by the NATA to receive the survey for completion. The proposed research question examined asks what effect will Athletic Trainers' perception of the relative advantage of IV rehydration fluids for treating heat-related illnesses have on their support for a change of the traditional hydration treatment protocol for heat-related illnesses? Descriptive analyses was yielded results about how ATC's answered the questions used for analysis. Cross tabulations and Logistic Regression was used for analysis. Significant results were found with Logistic Regression. The proposed hypothesis was supported by the statistical results when controlling for years of experience as a Certified Athletic Trainer, Athletic Trainers who perceive the relative advantage of intravenous administration of hydration fluids as becoming protocol for treating heat-related illnesses are more likely to support a change in the protocol than are Athletic Trainers that support the traditional treatment for heat-related illnesses was supported by the statistical data.

Key Words- Dehydration, rehydration, intravenous injections, heat illness, fluid deficit, athletic training