Intro to Sports Medicine andAthletic Training

Methuen High School

Introduction to Athletic Training

What is Athletic Training?1

Athletic training is practiced by athletic trainers.

Athletic trainers are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to optimize activity and participation of patients and clients.

But, what is athletic training? 1

Athletic training encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and intervention of emergency, acute, and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities.

How do I become an athletic trainer?1

Students who want to become certified athletic trainers must earn a degree from an accredited athletic training curriculum.

In college, what will I learn?1

Accredited programs include formal instruction in areas such as injury/illness prevention, first aid and emergency care, assessment of injury/illness, management of injury, counseling, human anatomy and physiology, therapeutic modalities, and nutrition

The 5 Domains of Athletic Training1

The role of an athletic trainer is encompassed in the description of the domains of athletic training. The 5 domains are:

1.) Injury / Illness prevention and wellness protection2.) Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis3.) Immediate and Emergency Care4.) Treatment and Rehabilitation5.) Organizational and Professional Health and Well Being

I.) Injury / Illness prevention and wellness protection

Athletic trainers are trained and educated in many different strategies that optimize health.A common expression for athletic training is:“Jack of all trades, the master of none”http://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/GuideToAthleticTrainingServices.pdf

II.) Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis

Athletic trainers are educated and trained to examine those who are injured (or have any kind of pain), and then come to a diagnosis as to what is the cause of that pain. Then they will determine the management of the pain.

III.) Immediate and Emergency Care

Athletic trainers are educated and trained to provide standard immediate and emergency care procedures to patients and clients. Athletic trainers also recognize when consultation with other health care providers is necessary and refer accordingly.

IV.) Treatment and Rehabilitation

Athletic trainers are trained to asses injuries and pain. Based on the assessment, they will determine treatment plans and goals. They also understand that there are others trained in the science of rehabilitation and will refer accordingly.

V.) Organizational and Professional Health and Well Being

Athletic trainers possess the skills necessary to develop, administer and manage a healthcare facility and associated venues that provide healthcare services. Athletic trainers have the skill set to utilize human, physical, and fiscal resources to provide efficient and effective healthcare services.

Athletic Training “Competencies”2

(1) Risk Management and Injury Prevention (2) Pathology of Injuries and Illnesses (3) Orthopedic Clinical Examination and Diagnosis (4) General Medical Conditions and Disabilities (5) Acute Care of Injuries and Illnesses (6) Therapeutic Modalities (7) Conditioning and Rehabilitative Exercise (8) Pharmacology (9) Psychosocial Intervention and Referral(10) Nutritional Aspects of Injuries and Illnesses (11) Health Care Administration (12) Professional Development and Responsibilities.

Where do Athletic Trainers work?1

Training facilities, Schools (K-12, colleges, universities), Amateur, Professional and

Olympic sports venues, Clinics, Hospitals, Physician offices, Community facilities, Workplaces (commercial and government)

15 Important Facts of Athletic Training

There is a bit of mis-information out there regarding athletic trainers and the scope of their job description. Get the facts at:http://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/AT_Facts.pdf

Resources Cited

• 1.) http://www.nata.org/athletic-training

• 2.) http://www.nata.org/education/competencies