Context: Investigation of the Evidence Based Practice Beliefs and Implementation practices of Srength and Conditioning Coaches at the NCAA Division I Level. Objective: To examine the NCAA Division-I Strength and Conditioning Coaches EBP beliefs and use of EBP for the purpose of gaining knowledge about their practice behaviors. Design: Quantitative Survey Research Design. Setting: Online survey instrument. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 165 of 800 NCAA Division I SCC’s invited to participate in the study completed the EBP Beliefs and EBP Implementation Scales. Main Outcome Measure(s): The EBP Beliefs and EBP Implementation Scales were administered. The surveys collected demographic information in addition to information about participants’ beliefs regarding EBP and implementation of EBP in strength and conditioning practice. Results: Strength and Conditioning coaches did not demonstrate an overall high level of agreement concerning importance of EBP using the EBP-Beliefs Scale, but did show higher “agreeability” or an “agree score” on total sum score for individual items. SCC’s EBP Implementation subscale scores demonstrated “low or infrequent” use or implementation of EBP with a total sum score of 2.45 for individual items. A One Way ANOVA on Educational Level showed statistically significant or approaching statistically significant differences in EBP-Beliefs between subjects who had a Doctorate compared to those with a Bachelor’s Degree, and a Master’s Degree but not those with a Master’s Degree, and EBP-Implementation was also higher in subjects with a Doctorate as compared to the other 3 groups. A One Way ANOVA on Experience Years showed EBP Beliefs were higher and statistically different between SCC’s with 20+ years and coaches with 11-20 years but no significant difference was seen in EBP-Implementation, and a One Way ANOVA on Certification did not have a statistically significant effect on EBP Beliefs, or EBP Implementation. A One Way ANOVA for Age and EBP-B, and EBP-I results were also statistically significant. SCC’s in the Age group 20+ held higher scores in both scales as compared to other groups. Practical Applications: This study may provide SCC’s awareness of current state of EBP concepts, and guidance for implementation of its concepts. Discussion: An SCC’s age, educational level, years of experience and certification type all affect EBP Beliefs and Implementation to some degree. Conclusion: SCC’s have positive EBP Beliefs, but lack EBP Implementation. Future research should be aimed at strengths and barriers, organizational culture, leadership and educational strategies to help promote implementation in strength and conditioning.
