Athletic Training Services in Japan: A Comparison of the United States and Japan Based on Educational Background

Abstract

Context: Each country has a unique history in the development of its athletic training professionals and education and credentialing systems. In Japan, the majority of athletic trainers hold a domestic credential (JSPO-AT) obtained from the Japan Sport Association (JSPO) or a US-based credential from the Board of Certification (BOC-AT). Objective: To determine whether differences in demographic, professional, and educational characteristics exist between Japanese BOC-ATs and JSPO-ATs who currently practice athletic training services in Japan. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Online survey. Patients or Other Participants: Eight hundred twenty-nine Japanese athletic trainers in Japan (BOC-AT, n=64; JSPO-AT, n=765). (s): Pearson's Xsuperscript 2]test and Fisher's exact test were used to determine differences in demographic, professional, and educational characteristics between BOC-ATs and JSPO-ATs. Results: The proportion of female respondents was greater for BOC-ATs (29.7%) than for JSPO-ATs (18.7%; X[superscript 2] [1]=4.5, P=0.03). A greater proportion of BOC-ATs reported having master's degrees or higher (X[superscript 2] [3]=81.6, P[less than]0.01). The percentage of respondents with at least 1 therapist or medical practitioner license in Japan was greater for JSPO-ATs (73.1%) than for BOC-ATs (20.3%; P[less than] 0.01). The percentage of respondents with at least 1 credential in exercise, nutrition, or teaching was greater for BOC-ATs (62.5%) than for JSPO-ATs (45.2%; P[less than]0.01). A large difference was observed in the proportion of individuals who identified as therapists (JSPO-ATs= 29.8%, BOC-ATs=6.3%; X[superscript 2] [5]= 18.9, P[less than] 0.01). The median income for BOC-ATs was 401-600 million yen (US $36,500-$54,500), whereas the median income for JSPO-ATs was 0-200 million yen (US$0-$18,200). Conclusions: BOC-ATs in Japan were more established than JSPO-ATs as athletic training professionals with higher educational backgrounds, while more JSPO-ATs tended to be therapists. Findings from the current study may serve as benchmark data for the athletic training profession and service characteristics in Japan.