Welcome to Sports Medicine

WHAT IS ATHLETIC TRAINING?

David Smith MS ATCSports Medicine 1

Today’s Objective

Define Athletic Training and its subcomponents

Describe the roles of the certified athletic trainer

Illustrate the roles of other health care providers and the sports medicine team

Understand the requirements for becoming a competent certified athletic trainer

Describe the job opportunities available to certified athletic trainers

Athletic Training (Sports Medicine) – The prevention, treatment, evaluation and rehabilitation of athletic injuries.

Athletic Training is that aspect of sports that is concerned with all aspects of the athlete’s health and safety.

“Jack of all trades”

Meaning that athletic trainers should have the skills to do anything that the athlete needs.

Qualifications Needed

A minimum of a B.S. in Athletic Training The amount of Education needed depends

on the area which you want to work CPR, First Aid, AED Certification State Athletic Training License

Test Fee

National Athletic Training Certification Test!! Fee

AT class requirements

AssessmentExercise physiologyFirst aid and emergency careGeneral medical conditions and

disabilityHealth care administrationRisk managementStrength training and conditioningStatistics and researchTherapeutic exercise and rehab

techniques

Becoming an Athletic Trainer cont…

Anatomy/ physiology Biomechanics/ kinesiology Medical ethics and legal issues Nutrition Pathology Pharmacology Professional development Psychosocial intervention and referral Therapeutic Modalities

Employment Potential

High school: Excellent Sports medicine clinic: Excellent

Collegiate: Good Health clubs: Good Corporate and industrial health care program: Low

Pro Sports: Low

Athletic Training Careers High school

High need + high variety of sports = demanding

Full time ATC→ Teacher/ ATC University and college

Full time ATC, can teach Many different teams vs. a few teams

Professional and semiprofessional VERY DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE Grueling travel schedule

Youth sport leagues Contract athletic trainer

Athletic Training Careers cont… Sports medicine office

Focus on rehabilitation Clinic and high school

ATC works in the clinic in the morning and then travels to high school to work in the afternoon/evening.

Health and fitness center Help those who are not as physically active

to get started on a safe fitness routine that will not aggravate existing injury

Industrial and manufacturing sites Prevent and treat work-site injuries to

decrease the work time lost to the “industrial athlete”

What to do with my degree??

Many people get a degree in Athletic Training as an intro or stepping stone for other careers PT PA Med School Nurse Chiropractor Massage Therapist Paramedic Acupuncture Oriental Medicine…

Roles of an Athletic Trainer

Injury Prevention Injury Evaluation Injury Treatment and First Aid Injury Rehabilitation Organization and Administration Counseling and Guidance ???How to talk to coaches???

Injury Prevention

Physical Exam and Screening Ensure appropriate training and

conditioning Select and properly fit equipment Reduce playing surface and surroundings

hazards Reduce and control environmental

hazards

Injury Evaluation

Obtain a medical history Observe the athlete Palpate the injured body part Check ROM Muscle Test Functional Test Neurological Test Perform Special Tests to determine Injury THIS IS KNOWN AS HOPS

First Aid

CPR First Aid AED ?? EMT ??

This is now part of many AT Programs!!

Rehabilitation

Exercises to assist in Athletes Return to Play Stretching ROM Heat/Ice Proprioception (Balance) Strengthening Exercises Functional Movements Return to Play Drills

COD, Plyo’s, Agilities,…

Organization and Administration

Organizing the Training Room for proper flow

Order equipment and supplies Maintain equipment Maintain Budget Record Keeping

Physical Paperwork, Injury Reports, Tx Records, Rehab notes, SOAP Notes

Supervise ATC Staff Supervise student athletic trainers

Counseling and Guidance

Listen to problems – present options This helps with recovery Build a rapport with your athletes

Builds Trust Earns Respect

The Athlete is always your 1st priority, they are the reason you do this!!

So, what is an Athletic Trainer???

They are skilled professionals that provide an INVALUABLE service to the athletes and is basically a

JACK OF ALL TRADES!!!

Experiences

Athletes do care how you treat them Cards, Money, Presents, THANK YOU’S

Just for doing my job Just going the extra mile makes all the difference

Athletes that come backAthletes that stay in touch, years later (Families)Athletes that always remember something you did

for them

* 3 KINDS OF PEOPLE!!!!The Lesson I learned from my Mentor