Fitness Professionals, Coaches, and the Sports Medicine Team: Defining Roles

What Is Sports Medicine ?

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. American College of Sports Medicine defines (ACSM) Sports Medicine ◦Physiological ◦Biomechanical ◦Psychological ◦Pathological phenomena Clinical application: ◦Improving function ◦Maintaining function Sports medicine focus: ◦Performance enhancement ◦Injury care ◦Injury Prevention

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Practice of Medicine Human Performance Human Performance Injury Management Injury Management Exercise Physiology Biomechanics Sport Psychology Sports Nutrition Sports Physical Therapy Athletic Training Sports Massage

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Sports Medicine Organizations Sports medicine organizations tend to have many goals ◦Upgrade field by devising and maintaining a set of professional standards (code of ethics) ◦Networking ◦Exchange of ideas ◦Critical thinking ◦Research for advancement of profession ◦Provide opportunities for individuals to work together toward singleness of purpose

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Sports Medicine Organizations Many national organizations have state and local associations, serving as extensions of the larger body National Athletic Trainers’ Association – An organization formed in 1950 that works to improve the quality and status of athletic training Certified Athletic Trainer – The individual who specializes in the field of athletic training which is concerned with the athlete’s health and safety and has met the requirements for certification established by the NATA

The Players on the Sports Medicine Team

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Healthcare requires a group effort to be most effective Each member of the team must perform specific functions relative to caring for the injured athlete

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Sports Medicine Team Athletic Director Head Coach Athletic Trainer Team Physician Strength Coach Clinical Dietician Sports Psychologist Other specialists needed

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. The Role of the Athletic Director in the Sports Medicine Team Has a significant impact on the sports medicine team Responsible for hiring personnel ◦Coaches ◦ATCs ◦Strength coaches ◦Nutritionists ◦Team physician Must be sure that all individuals have the necessary credentials and are willing to work as a team

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. The Role of the Athletic Director in the Sports Medicine Team Responsible for the budget and for funding all aspects of an athletic program ◦Salaries ◦Supplies ◦Equipment ◦Insurance Commitment of the administrator can have a tremendous impact on the success of the athletic program

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Role of the Head Coach in the Sports Medicine Team Coach must be aware of the responsibilities of each individual associated with the team ◦Who’s making injury practice decisions ◦What laws do athletes have to abide by? How much care can a coach provide? ◦What they are certified to do All coaches should be certified in: ◦CPR 1,2,3 ◦Basic First Aid 1,2

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Responsibilities of the Team Physician Athletic trainer works under direct supervision of physician Physician assumes a number of roles ◦Serves to advise ATC Physician and ATC must be able to work together The physician who is ultimately responsible for supervising and directing the total health care of the athlete

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Team Physician Haltom Doctor Bush ◦Orthopedic surgeon ◦Office located in Downtown Fort Worth Benefits of Doctor Bush ◦Free Wed/Sat injury clinic all year ◦Same day/next day appointments ◦Direct contact with Athletic Training staff ◦Coverage at all home football games

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Roles and Responsibilities of the Athletic Trainer Injury/Illness Prevention and Wellness Protection Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis Immediate and Emergency Care Treatment and Rehabilitation Organizational/Professional Health/Well-being Maintaining Pre-participation paperwork Develop policies & procedures Emergency action plans Budgeting for treatment supplies

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Roles and Responsibilities of the Athletic Trainer Guidelines are set Board of Certification BOC ◦Both in academic coursework and clinical experience Must also oversee and develop policies & procedures, risk management plan, and emergency action plans Responsible for participation paperwork

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Roles and Responsibilities of the Strength Coaches ◦Oversee fitness of an athlete ◦Often employed at the collegiate level for both team and individual training sessions ◦Typically certified by the NSCA ◦All strength & conditioning coaches should be certified in CPR ◦Must work with the athletic trainer when it comes to modifying a strength training program relative to injury ◦MORE Strength = LESS Injury

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Responsibilities of the Sports Psychologist Provide advising on a variety of issues ◦Performance anxiety ◦Stress relief ◦Eating disorders

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Relationship Between the Sports Medicine Team and Athlete Primary concern should be that of the athlete ◦All individuals must work cooperatively in the best interest of the athlete ◦Coach should differ to the medical staff and support decisions regarding athlete health care Close communication between all parties involved is critical

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Family and the Sports Medicine Team Parents will also be involved at the high school and junior high school level ◦Parent’s decision must be of a primary consideration Athletic trainer must be prepared to deal with multiple healthcare providers at parents request ◦May be dictated via parent’s insurance plan Must also be sure that athlete and family are familiar with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

© 2007 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Members of the Sports Medicine Team Athletic Director Head Coach Athletic Trainer Physicians Assistant Sports Chiropractors Physical Therapist Orthotist/prosthetist Exercise Physiologist Team Physician Sports Psychologist Clinical Dietician Sport Psychologist Emergency Medical Technician Strength & Conditioning Coach