Retention of CPR Knowledge and Skills Among NCAA Division III Athletic Coaches: A Prospective Cohort Study

Objective/Context: It is crucial for athletic coaches to be proficient in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) knowledge and skill performance for the health and safety of their athletes. This research aimed to assess CPR knowledge and CPR skill retention five months post-training among athletic coaches. In addition, the study assessed whether the number of years certified in CPR had an association with CPR skill performance scores five months post-training. Design and Setting: As a part of a master’s thesis, this prospective cohort study was performed over a five-month period to align with the research timeline. Participants: The study was conducted among 19 NCAA Division III athletic coaches. Intervention: All participants attended an American Red Cross CPR training immediately followed by an initial knowledge and skills assessment. Five months later, participants completed the same knowledge and skills assessment again. Participants completed a survey to submit the number of years they had been certified in CPR. Main Outcome Measure(s): Paired samples t-test assessed the change in CPR knowledge and skill performance scores (dependent variables) over a five-month period (independent variable). A multiple linear regression analysis assessed whether the number of years certified in CPR (independent variable) had an association with CPR skill performance scores (dependent variable) five months post-training, after controlling for the initial scores. Results: Paired samples t-tests revealed a significant decrease in CPR knowledge performance (t(18)=4.42, pt(18)=0.62, p>0.05) from the initial to five-month follow-up assessments. A multiple linear regression analysis assessed whether the number of years certified in CPR had an association with CPR skill performance scores five months post-training (F(2,16)=3.64, p=0.05) with an R2 of 0.23. After controlling for the initial scores, the multiple linear regression analysis did not reveal a significant association between the number of years certified in CPR and CPR skill retention (t =-1.75, p>0.05). Conclusion: This study does not reflect a decrease in skill performance, but a decrease in knowledge performance thus suggesting that refresher trainings may be beneficial among athletic coaches to improve CPR knowledge and skill retention.