ATHLETIC TRAINING: Kent State’s Program Kimberly S. Peer, Ed.D., ATC/L Cary Hale, MS, ATC/L

What is Athletic Training? Is it New to KSU?

What is Athletic Training? l Common terms used when referring to athletic training and athletic trainers: – Sports Medicine – Sports Trainer – Sports First Aid – Athletic Therapist – Coach / Trainer – Personal Trainer – Nurse

Athletic Trainer - Definition … a qualified allied health care professional educated and experienced in the management of health care problems associated with sports participation …functions in cooperation…in the development and coordination of efficient and responsive athletic health care delivery systems

Providing Care for the Physically Active Physically Active: “…individuals who engage in occupational, recreational or athletic activities that require physical skills and utilize strength, power, endurance, speed, flexibility, range of motion or agility.”

Domains in Athletic Training What do we do? l Prevention of Athletic Injuries l Recognition, Evaluation, & Immediate Care of Athletic Injuries

Domains in Athletic Training What do we do? l Rehabilitation and Reconditioning of Athletic Injuries l Health Care Administration l Professional Development and Responsibility

Program Phases l Pre-Professional Phase – Directed Observation – Year Long Process – Select in May l Professional Phase – 2.5 years of clinicals – Academic and Professional Expectations

What do students need to know? l Accredited, Entry-Level Athletic Training Program l Evaluate the clinical & academic components l Is this a “Major”? l Can you choose electives? – Allow for individualization

Expect to take these courses: l Principles of AT l Physical Assessment l Therapeutic Rehab l Therapeutic Modalities l Advanced AT - Organization & Administration l Practicum 1-4 l Human Anatomy l Human Physiology l Sports Physiology l Biomechanics l Nutrition l Personal Health l Psychology Courses l Pathology and Pharmacology

Clinical Experience l hours over a three year period l Supervised by a certified athletic trainer l Exposure to a variety of sports/settings

Practicing Athletic Training in Ohio l Certification by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA-BOC) l Written, Practicum and Written Simulation l Licensed by the Ohio PT, OT, and AT Board – Written Examination on Ohio Laws

Grad School or Job? l Either is feasible depending on job venue of choice l Graduate Assistantships? l Dual Credentials = Greater Salary Potential l PT – Reality or Dream?

Key Factors for Advisors l Need to See Dr. Peer EARLY FALL l Selective Admission (8:1) l Year-long Process beginning in Fall l Can’t take major at regional campuses l Transfer students – no core courses

Key Factors for Advisors l Must complete 6 – 8 hours of clinicals per week for Pre-Professional Phase l Required to complete 15 – 20 hours of clinicals per week in Professional Phase l Required to complete in-services – BBP, CPR & AED l Individualized study – Competencies l Can’t be intercollegiate athlete

Unique Opportunities l Team Travel l Individual Contact with Team MD’s l Surgery Observations l Cadaver Workshops l Exposure to Allied Medical Professionals within the Community l Priority Registration

Employment Outlook l Expanding in – High Schools – Clinic / Hospital – Physicians’ offices – Colleges & Universities – Professional – Industrial l Starting Salaries: $27,000 – 32,000

What is a typical day? l Anything but typical! l High school – Teacher / ATC – ATC – Outreach ATC

Typical day… l College / University – Staff Athletic Trainer l Travel – Faculty l Teaching/Research l Clinic based – Outreach – In the clinic

Typical day… l Professional – NBA, NHL, MLB, NBA, WNBA, MLS – Rodeo – X-Games l Corporate – General Motors – Nissan – Work hardening

Common Characteristics of the Athletic Trainer l Stamina & Ability to Adapt l Empathy l Sense of Humor l Communication l Intellectual Curiosity l Ethical Standards l Sincere Interest in Athletics & Well- Being of Athletes l Ability to Work with Hands l Get Along with Others l Strong Work Ethic l Understand the “Sense of Urgency”

Likes and dislikes l Working with highly motivated people l Getting people back to what they like to do l Being creative l The job is different every day l Working on someone else's time table