What is Athletic Training?

Answer 1

Athletic Training is an often misunderstood profession. Many people assume that Athletic Trainers are synonymous with personal trainers. In fact, personal trainers design workout programs and oversee the conditioning and strength training of clients. On the other hand, Athletic Trainers work to prevent and treat injuries in the athlete and must possess at least a Bachelor’s Degree as well as state licensure and other certifications in order to practice. Over 70 percent of certified Athletic Trainers are Master’s Degree recipients.

Once licensed, an Athletic Trainer may work in a variety of job settings. These include: high schools, colleges and universities, professional sports teams, hospitals, orthopedists’ offices, military, and private corporations. Depending on the job setting, the Athletic Trainer may focus solely on Athletic Training duties or he or she may acquire other responsibilities, such as strength training, administration, and teaching.

The Athletic Trainer’s job involves a variety of elements, depending on the setting in which he or she practices. The Athletic Trainer who works in a school setting will focus on preventing injuries in the athlete by teaching athletes proper stretching and movement techniques, as well as wrapping specific parts of the body with athletic tape prior to competition. In addition, the Athletic Trainer may recommend that vulnerable athletes wear specific braces or protective equipment in order to minimize the chance of injury.

In a treatment capacity, the Athletic Trainer will accompany athletes to their sporting events. The Athletic Trainer will treat any injured athletes at the sporting event, or in the event that the injury is beyond the Athletic Trainer’s scope of practice, he or she will call in the team doctor or paramedics to take over care of the injured athlete.

In a rehab capacity, the Athletic Trainer will work with injured athletes to restore them to full function as soon as possible. The Athletic Trainer may apply therapeutic treatments as well as recommend rehab exercises for the athlete to perform in order to return to optimal function. In some cases, the Athletic Trainer will work in conjunction with an orthopedist, physical therapist, or chiropractor to achieve the athlete’s rehabilitation.

So, while the field of athletic training is often misunderstood, those who have received the care of an Athletic Trainer understand what valuable roles these men and women fill.