Athletic TrainingAthletic Training

Some basic information you Some basic information you need to know…need to know…

What is an athletic trainer?What is an athletic trainer?A professional dedicated to maintaining A professional dedicated to maintaining and improving the health and well-being of and improving the health and well-being of the physically active population and the physically active population and preventing athletics-related injuries and preventing athletics-related injuries and illnesses.illnesses.

So basically, a trainer is an athlete’s So basically, a trainer is an athlete’s guardian angel, making sure the athlete is guardian angel, making sure the athlete is healthy and tries to keep him/her healthy.healthy and tries to keep him/her healthy.

6 Roles of an Athletic Trainer6 Roles of an Athletic TrainerInjury preventionInjury prevention– Physicals, strength and conditioning programs, Physicals, strength and conditioning programs,

proper equipment and proper equipment proper equipment and proper equipment fitting, taping, wrapping, and good nutritionfitting, taping, wrapping, and good nutrition

Recognition, evaluation, and assessmentRecognition, evaluation, and assessment– Must be able to recognize the severity of an Must be able to recognize the severity of an

injury and decide how to treat itinjury and decide how to treat it

Immediate care of athletic injuriesImmediate care of athletic injuries– Maintain CPR, AED, and first aid certificationsMaintain CPR, AED, and first aid certifications

Roles continued…Roles continued…Treatment, rehabilitation, and Treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning of athletic injuriesreconditioning of athletic injuries– Helping the athlete return to the sport through Helping the athlete return to the sport through

strengthening and conditioning exercises.strengthening and conditioning exercises.

Organization and administrationOrganization and administration– Must be able to manage the facility, order the Must be able to manage the facility, order the

necessary supplies, and keep accurate records necessary supplies, and keep accurate records on the athleteson the athletes

Professional development of responsibilityProfessional development of responsibility– Remain current to latest health care Remain current to latest health care

developmentsdevelopments

Sports Medicine TeamSports Medicine Team

Central teamCentral team– Works together to make initial decisions Works together to make initial decisions

about injuries, illness, and even sport about injuries, illness, and even sport performanceperformance

– Includes: the athlete, athlete’s Includes: the athlete, athlete’s parent/guardian, team physician, parent/guardian, team physician, certified athletic trainer (ATC), and the certified athletic trainer (ATC), and the coachcoach

Sports Medicine TeamSports Medicine Team

Peripheral teamPeripheral team– Provide more specialized care or Provide more specialized care or

assistance based upon the injuryassistance based upon the injury– Can include: family doctor, podiatrist, Can include: family doctor, podiatrist,

allergist, urologist, gynocologist, allergist, urologist, gynocologist, cardiologist, dentist, pediatrician, cardiologist, dentist, pediatrician, physical therapist, neurologist, physical therapist, neurologist, chiropractor, school nurse, registered chiropractor, school nurse, registered dietician, and equipment managerdietician, and equipment manager

How do I become a ATC?How do I become a ATC?

Bachelor’s Degree from an Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college/university with a accredited college/university with a athletic training program.athletic training program.

Take and pass the Board of Take and pass the Board of Certification (BOC) certification examCertification (BOC) certification exam

May need state licensure in addition May need state licensure in addition to the national certificationto the national certification

Typical classesTypical classesAssessment of athletic injury and illnessAssessment of athletic injury and illnessExercise PhysiologyExercise PhysiologyFirst aid/emergency careFirst aid/emergency careGeneral medical conditions/disabilitiesGeneral medical conditions/disabilitiesHealth care administrationHealth care administrationHuman anatomyHuman anatomyPhysiologyPhysiologyKinesiologyKinesiologyMedical ethics and legal issuesMedical ethics and legal issuesNutritionNutritionPathology of injury and illnessPathology of injury and illnessPharmacologyPharmacologyStrength training and reconditioningStrength training and reconditioningStatistics and research designStatistics and research designTherapeutic exercise and rehab techniques therapeutic modalitiesTherapeutic exercise and rehab techniques therapeutic modalities

Athletic Training CareersAthletic Training CareersOrganized AthleticsOrganized Athletics– High schoolHigh school– Colleges and UniversitiesColleges and Universities– Professional and Semi-pro teamsProfessional and Semi-pro teams– Youth sports leaguesYouth sports leagues

**In 2003, the average income for a high **In 2003, the average income for a high school trainer was $37,990; college was school trainer was $37,990; college was $35,976; professional was $37,977; $35,976; professional was $37,977; youth sports was $27,500**youth sports was $27,500**

Athletic Training CareersAthletic Training CareersClinical and Industrial SettingsClinical and Industrial Settings– Sports medicine centersSports medicine centers– Health and fitness centersHealth and fitness centers– Industrial and manufacturing sitesIndustrial and manufacturing sites– ClinicsClinics

**In 2003, average income for ATC in **In 2003, average income for ATC in clinical setting was $40,770; health and clinical setting was $40,770; health and fitness settings was $37,411; industrial fitness settings was $37,411; industrial settings was $43,451.settings was $43,451.