Quantitative results show significant competency gains in exercise science students, suggesting important internship structures and mentorship impact outcomes.
Key Points
Internship experiences significantly improved students' practical competencies and professional identity, highlighting effective educational practices.
Quantitative analysis revealed a p-value of less than 0.001 in competency scores, with clinical reasoning showing the highest improvement among post-rehabilitation contexts.
The analysis conducted included data from 1,247 internships at a large Italian university between 2015 and 2020, reinforcing the diversity of placement settings.
Recommendations for enhancing exercise science internships include developing standardized competency frameworks and training programs for mentors.