Introduction to Athletic Training

Standard 21 Understand principles of and successfully perform skills related to Athletic Training, incorporating rubrics from textbooks or clinical standards of practice for the following: a. Assessment of athlete with injured ankle or wrist b. Basic stretching exercises

What is athletic training? The rendering of specialized care to individuals involved in exercise and athletics Prevention, recognition, evaluation and care of injuries Certified Athletic Trainer: highly educated and skilled professional who specializes in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries

Roles and responsibilities of the athletic trainer

ATC Roles & responsibilities Prevention Recognition, Evaluation, & Immediate Care Rehabilitation Course of Action Administration Professional Development Personal Skills

1. Preventative Pre-Participation Screening (PPE) Conditioning Total body Sport or injury specific Monitoring Environmental Conditions Field conditions Weather Properly Fitted Equipment Educate Parents, coaches, athletes

2. Recognition, Evaluation, & immediate care Emergency Acute Course of Action

3. Rehabilitation—course of action Short Term Long Term Return to Play

4. administration Documentation Daily records Treatment logs Insurance Family history Medications Surgeries Written Guidelines Policy and Procedures Daily operations Rules/regulations EAP Scheduling

5. Professional development Membership in Different Professional Organizations Stay current in certification CEU Be active in organizations Organizations/Associations: NATA NATABOC AMA CAATE ACSM NSCA AOSSM

6. Personal skills 2. Know the Sport: 1. Know the Athlete: Medical History past/current Injuries, allergies, meds, contact lens, dental appliances Personality Low tolerance vs. high tolerance 2. Know the Sport: Fundamentals Demands of sport Same injury In one sport not cleared, in another can play

Personal skills continued 3. Remain Calm: Self calm Calm the athlete Very difficult to assess if the athlete is scared, excited, and anxious 4. Alert: Observe all athletes Limping, down, acting unusual 5. Good Judgment: Common sense

Personal skills continued 6. Experience: Confidence Assessment skills 7. Patience (with): Evaluation Athlete Self

Personal skills continued 8. Referral: Record all information Send to physician Doubts, concerns Clearance

Employment settings

Employment settings Secondary School College/University Professional Teams Sports Medicine Clinic/Physical Therapy Industrial Setting Hospital/Outreach Non-Traditional

Secondary schools Usually faculty-athletic trainer position Compensation based on: Released time from teaching Stipend as coach Provide limited coverage

Colleges/universities Small Institutions Part-time teacher, part-time athletic trainer Multiple sports Also provide coverage to intramurals & club programs Long hours Limited resources Major Institutions Full-time athletic trainers Works only for dept of athletics One sport Long hours! Abundance of resources, personnel

Professional teams Perform specific team athletic training duties for 6 months per year Works with only one team or organization Under contract, similar to players

Sports med clinics/physical therapy More ATCs employed in this setting than in any other Varies from clinic to clinic Most ATCs treat patients with sports-related injuries in am & contract out to high schools in pm Salaries are typically slightly higher than in more traditional settings May be responsible for marketing of sports medicine program

Industrial/military Becoming common for ATC to work in a prevention role Oversee fitness and injury rehabilitation programs for employees Must understand concepts behind ergonomics May be assigned to conduct wellness programs & provide education and individual counseling Also employed by federal law enforcement agencies (i.e.. FBI, CIA, DEA)

Non-traditional X-Games Dance Company Olympics (Summer & Winter sports)