Assessment of chiropractic awareness in professional football players

This study aimed to collect information about the awareness levels of professional football players regarding chiropractic care and to increase their awareness about chiropractic. In line with this objective, a 29-question survey was given to proffessional football players in Istanbul, which included questions about their thoughts and perceptions about chiropractic as well as their awareness of chiropractic. The researchers asked participants for their demographic information, descriptive characteristics, thoughts and perceptions about chiropractic, and asked questions about their awareness of chiropractic. The results regarding the variations in attitudes towards chiropractic based on demographic variables were analyzed using the Chi-square test. The study included 195 football players, consisting of 23 females and 172 males. The participants' ages ranged from 18 to 35, with a mean of 24.99±4.00. It was observed that 59.9% of the participants had knowledge about chiropractic treatment, while 41% had no knowledge about it. A statistically significant relationship was observed between participants' educational status and their tendency to receive chiropractic treatment (r=0.237, p=0.004). Similarly, a statistically significant relationship was found between participants' age and their inclination towards chiropractic treatment (r=0.225, p=0.007). Among the participants who had higher levels of awareness of chiropractic treatments, the proportion of individuals with 7 years or more of Professional football experience was higher compared to those less experienced. There was a significant relationship between participants' professional football experience and their knowledge of chiropractic treatment (r=0.162, p=0.022). A significant relationship was also observed between participants' professional football experience and their tendency to receive chiropractic treatment. Furthermore, a significant relationship was found between participants' professional football experience and their capability of being able to assess chiropractors level of expertise (r=0.162, p=0.004). We believe that coordinated efforts, such as congresses, between the Turkish Chiropractic Spinal Health Association, the Turkish Football Federation, and other healthcare teams such as physicians and physiotherapists, are necessary to increase the knowledge and application level of chiropractic among professional football players. Keywords: Chiropractic, Football, Knowledge, Awareness