Exercise Professionals' Strength Training Attitudes, Behaviors, and Knowledge: A Survey.

Area of Science:

• Sports Science and Exercise Physiology
• Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
• Occupational Health and Fitness

Background:

• Strength training is integral to many exercise professional roles, yet comprehensive understanding of their attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge is limited.
• Variations in strength training application and understanding may exist across different professional disciplines.
• Optimizing strength training implementation requires insight into current professional practices and knowledge levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess and compare the attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge of strength training among diverse exercise professional groups.
• To identify factors, including professional background and certifications, that influence knowledge of strength training.
• To provide data for improving strength training practices and interprofessional collaboration.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous online survey was administered to 1,298 exercise professionals, including athletic trainers, personal trainers, physical therapists, and strength and conditioning coaches.
• Data collected included demographics, strength training attitudes, behaviors (e.g., documenting rest periods), and knowledge assessments.
• Statistical analyses included Pearson's chi-squared tests, one-way ANOVA, and binary logistic regression to compare groups and identify predictors of knowledge.

Main Results:

• Sixty-eight percent of physical therapists perceived inadequate strength training application in their field, contrasting with 11% of strength coaches.
• Strength coaches and personal trainers were more likely to document rest periods compared to other professions.
• Personal trainers and strength coaches demonstrated lower odds of achieving a ≥70% knowledge score compared to physical therapists; a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist certification increased knowledge score odds.

Conclusions:

• Exercise professionals exhibit generally similar attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge regarding strength training, with notable exceptions among specific professions.
• Differences in perceived application, documentation of rest periods, and knowledge scores highlight areas for targeted professional development.
• Findings can inform interprofessional dialogue to enhance the consistent and effective implementation of strength training across disciplines.