Examining the Environmental Effects of Athletic Training: Perceptions of Waste and the Use of Green Techniques.

CONTEXT:   Environmental sustainability is a critical concern in health care. Similar to other professions, the practice of athletic training necessitates the use of a large quantity of natural and manufactured resources.

OBJECTIVE:   To examine the perceptions of the waste produced by the practice of athletic training and the green practices currently used by athletic trainers (ATs) to combat this waste.

DESIGN:   Mixed-methods study.

SETTING:   Field setting.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS:   A total of 442 ATs completed the study. Sixteen individuals participated in the qualitative portion.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S):   Data from sections 2 and 3 of the Athletic Training Environmental Impact Survey were analyzed. Focus groups and individual interviews were used to determine participants' views of waste and the efforts used to combat waste. Descriptive statistics were used to examine types of waste. Independent t tests, χ2 tests, and 1-way analyses of variance were calculated to identify any differences between the knowledge and use of green techniques. Interviews and focus groups were transcribed verbatim and analyzed inductively.

RESULTS:   Participants reported moderate knowledge of green techniques (3.18 ± 0.53 on a 5-point Likert scale). Fifty-eight percent (n = 260) of survey participants perceived that a substantial amount of waste was produced by the practice of athletic training. Ninety-two percent (n = 408) admitted they thought about the waste produced in their daily practice. The types of waste reported most frequently were plastics (n = 111, 29%), water (n = 88, 23%), and paper for administrative use (n = 81, 21%). Fifty-two percent (n = 234) agreed this waste directly affected the environment. The qualitative aspect of the study reinforced recognition of the large amount of waste produced by the practice of athletic training. Types of conservation practices used by ATs were also explored.

CONCLUSIONS:   Participants reported concern regarding the waste produced by athletic training. The amount of waste varies depending on practice size and setting. Future researchers should use direct measures to determine the amount of waste created by the practice of athletic training.