1. Athletic Training Some basic information you need to know…

2. What is an athletic trainer? • A professional dedicated to maintaining and improving the health and well-being of the physically active population and preventing athletics-related injuries and illnesses. • So basically, a trainer is an athlete’s guardian angel, making sure the athlete is healthy and tries to keep him/her healthy.

3. 6 Roles of an Athletic Trainer • Injury prevention • Physicals, strength and conditioning programs, proper equipment and proper equipment fitting, taping, wrapping, and good nutrition • Recognition, evaluation, and assessment • Must be able to recognize the severity of an injury and decide how to treat it • Immediate care of athletic injuries • Maintain CPR, AED, and first aid certifications

4. Roles continued… • Treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning of athletic injuries • Helping the athlete return to the sport through strengthening and conditioning exercises. • Organization and administration • Must be able to manage the facility, order the necessary supplies, and keep accurate records on the athletes • Professional development of responsibility • Remain current to latest health care developments

5. Sports Medicine Team • Central team • Works together to make initial decisions about injuries, illness, and even sport performance • Includes: the athlete, athlete’s parent/guardian, team physician, certified athletic trainer (ATC), and the coach

6. Sports Medicine Team • Peripheral team • Provide more specialized care or assistance based upon the injury • Can include: family doctor, podiatrist, allergist, urologist, gynocologist, cardiologist, dentist, pediatrician, physical therapist, neurologist, chiropractor, school nurse, registered dietician, and equipment manager

7. How do I become a ATC? • Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college/university with a athletic training program. • Take and pass the Board of Certification (BOC) certification exam • May need state licensure in addition to the national certification

8. Typical classes • Assessment of athletic injury and illness • Exercise Physiology • First aid/emergency care • General medical conditions/disabilities • Health care administration • Human anatomy • Physiology • Kinesiology • Medical ethics and legal issues • Nutrition • Pathology of injury and illness • Pharmacology • Strength training and reconditioning • Statistics and research design • Therapeutic exercise and rehab techniques therapeutic modalities

9. Athletic Training Careers • Organized Athletics • High school • Colleges and Universities • Professional and Semi-pro teams • Youth sports leagues **In 2003, the average income for a high school trainer was $37,990; college was $35,976; professional was $37,977; youth sports was $27,500**

10. Athletic Training Careers • Clinical and Industrial Settings • Sports medicine centers • Health and fitness centers • Industrial and manufacturing sites • Clinics **In 2003, average income for ATC in clinical setting was $40,770; health and fitness settings was $37,411; industrial settings was $43,451.