While most people perhaps think of athletic training as an outdoor, hands-on activity, there are plenty of online resources that can help you learn about athletic training from the comfort of your computer. Athletic training is a specific type of health care that athletic trainers provide to athletes. As the National Athletic Trainers' Association notes, these trainers work with athletes, coaches and physicians to develop injury prevention and treatment plans, and to also administer emergency care.
Function
Online athletic training resources can provide prospective athletic trainers, as well as other individuals who are just curious about athletic training, with relevant information and learning tools. The three scientific disciplines that these resources typically cover are pathology, which focuses on the causes and effects of medical conditions; anatomy, which focuses on the structure of the body; and biomechanics, which focuses on the mechanics of bodily movements. And while online athletic training cannot prepare you for the physical aspects of being a trainer, such as bandaging injuries, it can help you complete the necessary educational requirements.
Classes
Taking an online athletic training class can be a convenient way to familiarize yourself with the basic concepts of athletic training; and it can also help you decide if athletic training is something you want to pursue at a professional level. As Education-Portal.com notes, a typical introductory class will cover all of the basic materials and tools that an athletic trainer might need to use, as well as all of the procedures the trainer might need to perform. Other introductory topics include the ethics, regulations and organizations involved with athletic training. More advanced online athletic training classes will cover more specific topics, such as motor behavior and exercise physiology.
Programs
If you have decided to embark on a career path in athletic training, you will need to obtain a college degree. In most states, you must have at least a bachelor's degree to become a certified athletic trainer. However, according to the National Athletic Trainers' Association, over 70 percent of certified athletic trainers have earned master's degrees. Fortunately for people who are unable to afford or who are unable to travel to brick-and-mortar universities and colleges, there are several online schools that offer athletic training programs, both at the bachelor's and master's level. Some of these schools include Manchester College, Northcentral University and the A.T. Still University of Health Sciences.
Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer
Once you have acquired the necessary academic credentials online, you can also apply online to become certified as an athletic trainer. The process requires that your first register with the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer, which was established in 1989. The BOC is the only accredited athletic training board in the United States. You can register with the BOC and apply for certification online.
Opportunities
Having fulfilled all of the necessary educational and certification requirements, you can begin searching online for an entry-level athletic training position. Some of the most common employers of athletic trainers include high schools, colleges and sports medicine clinics.
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