As defined by the Strategic Implementation Team of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) in August 2007:
"Athletic training is practiced by athletic trainers, health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to optimize activity and participation of patients and clients. Athletic training encompasses the prevention, diagnosis and intervention of emergency, acute and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations and disabilities."
Athletic trainers work directly under the supervision of a Physician, however, typically they are in secondary school or colleges or universities. Athletic Trainers are present at practices and games and provide immediate emergency care if an injury were to occur. These licensed health care professionals will then see the injured player through the entire process, what ever that may encompass, to a full unrestricted return to play.
Athletic trainers have, at minimum, a Bachelor of Science degree and must pass a national board of certification examine to become certified. It is of interest to note that over 70% of athletic trainers have a masters or a doctorate.
Education competencies for an athletic trainer include:
• Risk management and Injury Prevention
• Pathology of injuries or illness
• Assessment and evaluation of injuries
• Acute care for injuries and illness
• Pharmacology
• Therapeutic Modalities
Why are Athletic trainers necessary?
Athletic trainers have become a necessary part of any established athletic program. As sports programs have become more organized, even more business like, it is the athlete that is the commodity, and an athletic trainer is a key to keeping that athlete in the game.
In nearly every preview of a sports team, optimistic coaches set one condition of success: avoiding injury.
An important part of the athletic trainer's job is to help prevent such injuries. Both in terms of team success and more importantly long-term safety, the athletic trainer plays a key role.
Not to be confused with fitness trainers who help individuals improve physical fitness levels, athletic trainers work with athletes in team and individual sports to prevent injuries, provide immediate treatment of injuries that occur during athletic contests, and help athletes rehabilitate from injuries.
The website is maintained by Janet Panek.
Websites to be used:
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Click here for the History of Athletic Training
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