Athletic training is a discipline with its roots in allied health and sports medicine. According to the National Athletic Trainers Association, athletic trainers assist in prevention and diagnosis of various medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations and disabilities. Often athletic trainers respond first when an athlete is hurt during a competition, and they work with other health care providers to ensure expeditious and safe return to activity following injury and illness.
First Responders
A large portion of the responsibility of an athletic trainer is to be one of the first professionals to respond to an athletic injury. Sports organizations of all kinds and levels of competition employ athletic trainers, who travel with teams. Athletic trainers work to identify and manage injuries to the bones and joints, head trauma such as concussion, and other injuries or illnesses.
Recognize Injury Risk
Athletic training staffs screen athletes to identify any special risks an athlete might face in that sport. Lee Burton, PhD, from Averett University, uses an assessment process known as the Functional Movement Screen to identify injury risks and guide athletic participation. Athletes who show potential for injury work with the trainer to reduce the risk.
Return to Play
An injured athlete usually has a period of rehabilitation before he can play again. Peter Bruckner and Karim Kahn, MD, in their book "Clinical Sports Medicine," suggest that monitoring athletes returning from injury is the main responsibility of athletic trainers. Returning to competition too soon following injury could lead to reinjury or long-term damage to the athlete.
Athletic Development
Universities, sports franchises, and private sport training facilities hire athletic trainers to help them develop athletes' skills and strength. The medical staff and the performance enhancement staff work together, Nate Shaw, athletic development coach of the Arizona Diamondbacks, suggests this cooperation results in the best outcomes.
Educating Athletes
Athletic trainers frequently educate the athletes under their supervision about many topics including nutrition, sleep habits, sports supplements and recovery strategies between practices and competitions.
References
- "Athletic Training"; What Do Athletic Trainers Do?; 2010
- "Functional Movement Core Training System"; Gray Cook, MSPT, Lee Burton, PhD; 2010
- "Clinical Sports Medicine"; Peter Brukner, OAM and Karim Khan, MD, PhD; 2007
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