1. The Athletic Health Care Team
Chapter 2
The Athletic Health Care Team

2. Sports Medicine
Definition: “A field that uses a holistic, comprehensive, and multidisciplinary approach to health care for those engaged in sporting or recreational activity.”
Key Team Members:
Coaches
Team Physician
Athletic Trainer

3. Sports Medicine Team
The Sports Medicine Team includes: team physician, athletic trainer, coaching staff, and other related health care practitioners.
Practitioners include:
primary care physicians
dentists
orthopedic surgeons
exercise physiologists
athletic trainers
conditioning coaches
sports physical therapists
sports nutritionists

4. Sports Medicine Team
The team’s role in medical management of athletes includes:
Coordinating pre-participation physical exams.
Providing medical management of injuries and illnesses on and off the field.
Coordinating rehab and a safe return to participation after illness or injury.
Providing education and counseling for coaches, athletes, and parents.
Providing proper documentation and medical record keeping.

5. Coaches
Individuals that work directly with athletes to teach them game rules, life skills, and fitness goals.

6. Athletic Trainer Degree Requirements: Professional Settings:
Bachelors degree
Professional Settings:
Salary in Texas:
Ranges from $30,000-$90,000 depending on setting
Colleges/Universities
Professional Sports
Secondary Schools
Performing Arts

7. Athletic Trainer
An allied health care professional with extensive education in clinical care & prevention of sports injuries.

8. Athletic Trainer Degree Requirements: Professional Settings:
Bachelors or Masters degree from accredited program
Professional Settings:
Salary in Texas:
Ranges from $35,000-$75,000 depending on setting
Colleges/Universities
Rehabilitation Clinics
Secondary Schools
Industrial Settings
Professional Sports
Performing Arts

9. Team Doctor
A physician specializing in sports medicine who helps the athlete maximize function and minimize time away from the sport

10. Team Doctor Degree Requirements: Professional Settings:
Doctorate degree from accredited program
Professional Settings:
Salary in Texas:
Ranges from $150,000-$275,000 depending on setting
Colleges/Universities
Rehabilitation Clinics
Secondary Schools
Industrial Settings
Professional Sports
Performing Arts

11. Family Doctor
The primary physician involved in the athlete’s care. Family doctors have the athlete’s complete history and are in a better position than team doctors to supervise long-term care.

12. Family Doctor Degree Requirements: Professional Settings:
Doctorate degree from accredited program
Professional Settings:
Salary in Texas:
Ranges from $150,000-$250,000 depending on setting
Colleges/Universities
Rehabilitation Clinics
Secondary Schools
Industrial Settings
Professional Sports
Performing Arts

13. Physician Assistant
The physician assistant (PA) works interdependently with a physician to provide diagnostic and therapeutic care.

14. Physician Assistant Degree Requirements: Professional Settings:
Masters degree from accredited program
Professional Settings:
Salary in Texas:
Ranges from $70,000-$95,000 depending on setting
Colleges/Universities
Rehabilitation Clinics
Hospital
Industrial Settings
Professional Sports

15. Physical Therapist
The physical therapist (PT) is responsible for performing treatments such as therapeutic exercises, hydrotherapy, and electrotherapy.

16. Physical Therapist Degree Requirements: Professional Settings:
Masters or Doctorate degree from accredited program
Professional Settings:
Salary in Texas:
Ranges from $85,000-$120,000 depending on setting
Colleges/Universities
Rehabilitation Clinics
Hospitals
Industrial Settings
Professional Sports
Performing Arts

17. Physical Therapy Assistant
The physical therapy assistant (PTA) works with physical therapists, assisting in the development of treatment plans for injured patients.

18. Physical Therapy Assistant
Degree Requirements:
Associates degree from accredited program
Professional Settings:
Salary in Texas:
Ranges from $25,000-$45,000 depending on setting
Hospitals
Rehabilitation Clinics

19. Chiropractor
The chiropractor is a health specialist who provides conservative management of neuromuscular disorders and functional clinical conditions.

20. Chiropractor Degree Requirements: Professional Settings:
Doctorate degree
Professional Settings:
Salary in Texas:
Ranges from $75,000-$105,000 depending on setting
Colleges/Universities
Rehabilitation Clinics
Professional Sports
Hospitals

21. Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialists
A certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) designs and implements safe and effective strength and conditioning programs.

22. CSCS/Strength Coach Degree Requirements: Professional Settings:
None, 3-6 month course
Professional Settings:
Salary in Texas:
Ranges from $15,000-$35,000 depending on setting
Colleges/Universities
Gyms
Secondary Schools
Professional Sports

23. Personal Trainer
Designs and implements safe and effective strength and conditioning programs for individual clients to reach fitness goals.

24. Personal Trainer Degree Requirements: None, 1-5 day program
Professional Settings:
Salary in Texas:
Ranges from $15,000-$35,000 depending on setting
Colleges/Universities
Gyms
Professional Sports

25. Massage Therapist
The massage therapist works with physicians, nurses, and physical therapists to promote health and healing and to help manage stress. Provides pain relief through muscle manipulation.

26. Massage Therapist Degree Requirements: Professional Settings:
None, 6-18 month program
Professional Settings:
Salary in Texas:
Ranges from $20,000-$50,000 depending on setting
Hotels
Rehabilitation Clinics
Hospitals
Gyms
Professional Sports

27. Sports Nutritionist
The sports nutritionist designs special diets capable of enhancing athletic performance, proper diet can result in better performance.

28. Sports Nutritionist Degree Requirements: Professional Settings:
Bachelors degree
Professional Settings:
Salary in Texas:
Ranges from $20,000-$45,000 depending on setting
Colleges/Universities
Rehabilitation Clinics
Professional Sports
Hospitals

29. Sports Psychologist
The sports psychologist works with athletes who are recovering from serious injury, giving emotional support and helping with goal-setting and motivation.

30. Sports Psychologist Degree Requirements: Professional Settings:
Doctorate degree from accredited program
Professional Settings:
Salary in Texas:
Ranges from $45,000-$85,000 depending on setting
Colleges/Universities
Rehabilitation Clinics
Professional Sports
Hospitals

31. The Role of Health Care Providers
The primary role of the health care providers involved in the care of athletes is to promote lifelong fitness and wellness, and to encourage prevention of illness and injury.
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