The Role of the Strength and Conditioning Coach in Return-from-Injury Care: A Survey Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions of strength and conditioning coaches (SCCs) regarding professional roles and decision-making related to return-from-injury care in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to identify areas of opportunity related to effective completion of the rehabilitation continuum. Sixty-seven SCCs completed a web-based survey. Means, standard deviations, and frequency of responses were used to report results. SCCs perceive their roles to be most significant in advanced training, training systems not specific to the injury, and late-stage strength/function. Only 72% of Head SCCs and 66% of Assistant SCCs perceive their role to include shared development of training sessions for return to performance, which is an aspect of their scope of practice; fewer are included in return to sport programming. Less than one third make any recommendations for clearance to progress to the next stage in rehabilitation. SCCs expressed a desire for a larger role in decision-making regarding readiness for full return to competition, yet only 68% of Head SCCs and 59% of Assistant SCCs report they conduct any testing for the final transition to return to performance. Areas of opportunity for the SCC include conducting assessments related to return to sport and full return to performance to contribute to progression/clearance recommendations and contributing to the end stage program design for effective completion of the rehabilitation continuum. These integral components of the rehabilitation continuum could allow the SCCs to have a more defined role and greater voice in return-from-injury care.