The knowledge of medial tibial stress syndrome of parents and coaches of adolescent athletes

Context: The reason for this study was to evaluate the knowledge of parents and coaches of adolescent athletes of medial tibial stress syndrome with regard to different areas of knowledge associated with athletic injuries within the scope of practice of athletic trainers.;Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the knowledge of parents and coaches of medial tibial stress syndrome in the adolescent athlete.;Design: This study was descriptive in research design.;Setting: The researcher distributed a cover letter containing a link to the internet based survey to athletic directors at the high schools to be surveyed. The athletic directors then distributed the letter to the parents and coaches at their respective secondary schools.;Subjects: The subjects consisted of parents and coaches of the six western Pennsylvania high schools surveyed.;Interventions: The independent variables in the study were the subjects tested (either parents or coaches). The dependent variable was the subjects' score as measured by the MTSS knowledge survey (r = 0.374), each question's correlation coefficient was x ≥ +/-0.3. If the question's r-value fell below +/-0.30, it was modified to improve its reliability. The survey was administered via a cover letter given to the athletic directors at the high schools to be surveyed who then distributed the cover letter to the parents and coaches at their school. The data was analyzed using SPSS at a significance level at &agr; ≤ 0.05.;Measurements: All data analyzed at a significance level at &agr; ≤ 0.05 for all hypotheses. H1: an independent samples t-test was used to compare mean prevention knowledge scores between parents and coaches. H2: an independent samples t-test was used to compare mean rehabilitation and treatment knowledge scores between parents and coaches. H3: an independent samples t-test was used to compare mean overall knowledge scores between parents and coaches.;Results: Hypothesis 1 had findings that were not significant. H1: (t(59) = .200, p > 0.05). Hypotheses 2 and 3 had findings that were significant. H2: (t(59) = -2.754, p < 0.05). H3: (t(59) = -2.382, p < 0.05).;Conclusion: The study revealed that coaches of adolescent athletes have a significantly greater level of knowledge of the rehabilitation and treatment of medial tibial stress syndrome than parents of adolescent athletes. Coaches also have a significantly greater overall level of knowledge of medial tibial stress syndrome.