Sports training--also known as athletic training--and physical therapy work together to help athletes recover from an injury as quickly as possible while ensuring that the injury does not re-occur. Although the practices are similar, each has its own legal standards and regulations and different levels of treatment and work environments.
Functions
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, athletic training and physical therapy both deal with pathologies, injuries, rehabilitation and injury prevention. Athletic trainers often work with athletes, from children to adults, while physical therapists mainly work with a wide population range, from newborns to older adults. Both professionals often consult with the diagnosing physician or another medical professional before treating the patient. They evaluate, diagnose, and treat movement dysfunctions, pain, and posture, and sometimes use prosthetics and adaptive devices and equipment to help patients move.
Education and Qualifications
To become an athletic trainer, you must have a bachelor's degree in athletic training from an accredited university, current CPR and first aid training, and a state license. You must also have a minimum of 1,500 hours of hands-on training in the field, depending on which university you attend.
Currently, most physical therapy schools are offering doctorate programs instead of the master's program. To become a doctor of physical therapy, you must have completed a doctoral degree in physical therapy from an accredited university, which is a 2.5- to 3-year program. You must also have a state license to practice and must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination and jurisprudence exams, depending on the state in which you want to practice.
Work Environment
Athletic trainers usually work in colleges, high schools, and professional sport settings. Often, they travel with the team to various cities during national competitions. Other athletic trainers work in hospitals, physical therapy clinics, gyms, and private homes.
Physical therapists usually work in hospitals and outpatient clinics. Some work in gyms and other fitness facilities as both physical therapists and personal trainers.
Both professionals have high degrees of stress because they must make split-second decisions when managing injuries and diagnosing a treatment plan. They also have a high-risk exposure to diseases, especially in hospital settings.
Earnings
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics for 2010-2011, athletic trainers make an average of $40,000 a year. The amount of salary depends on experience and job settings. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,450, while the top 10 percent earned more than $60,960.
Physical therapists earn an average of $72,000 a year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $50,350, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $104,350.
Some athletic trainers and physical therapists who own their own businesses and practices can earn between $90,000 to $200,000 or more a year, before taxes and expenses.
Employment
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, there is a high demand for physical therapists and athletic trainers, with a projected 30 to 37 percent growth, respectively, from 2008 to 2018. With a increasing number of athletes participating in sports, the elderly, and work-related injuries, there is a large need for job placements for both professions in hospitals, schools, clinics, and gyms.
References
- "Essentials to Athletic Training"; Daniel Arnheim, William Prentice; 2002
- "Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition"; Bureau of Labor Statistics; 2010
