What is Athletic Training?
An athletic trainer is an allied health care professional that specializes in the prevention, evaluation, emergency treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries to athletes and physically active individuals. Athletic trainers are the critical link between the sport program and medical community and are certified by the National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Certification. Athletic trainers provide a broad range of direct services to the sport participant on a daily basis and serve as the liaison between physicians, athletes, coaches, and parents . An athletic trainer must have a strong background in human anatomy, human physiology, psychology, kinesiology, exercise physiology, nutrition, pharmacology, biomechanics, general medical conditions and disabilities, injury assessment and evaluation, therapeutic exercise, therapeutic modalities, and health care administration.
In order to become an athletic trainer an individual must obtain a bachelors degree from an accredited athletic training program, obtain a minimum of 800 hours of observation under the direction of a certified athletic trainer, complete a three part certification exam, and obtain licensure from their state . Once certified, the athletic trainer must obtain 80 units of continuing education every three years. |
