1. Essentials of Athletic Injury Management 10th Edition

2. Chapter 1: Fitness Professionals, Coaches, and the Sports Medicine Team: Defining Roles

3. Growing demand for well-educated, professionally trained personnel to supervise and oversee recreational sport and physical activity
Coaches
Fitness professionals
Recreation specialists
Athletic administrators
Others interested in various aspects of exercise and sports science

4. Injury is a part of athletics:
Athletes have a right to expect that those that are overseeing their particular view their health and safety as a priority
Critical to have individuals that are aware of both treatment and prevention
Well-trained professionals are not always healthcare professionals and may be in violation if they attempt to provide treatment and care

5. What Is Sports Medicine ?

6. Sports medicine refers to a broad field of healthcare related to physical activity and sport
Defined by American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as multidisciplinary approach to health management or achievement of full potential
Clinical application in these areas is aimed at improving and maintaining functional capacities for physical labor, exercise and sports
Sports medicines generally focuses on areas of performance enhancement, injury care, prevention and management

7. Areas of specialization that focus primarily
on performance enhancement*
Exercise physiology
Biomechanics
Sports psychology
Sports nutrition
Strength & conditioning
Personal fitness training
Coaching
Physical education
*Some are concerned with both performance and injury management

8. Areas of specialization that focus on healthcare and injury/illness management
Practice of medicine (physicians & physician assistants)
Athletic training
Sports physical therapy
Massage therapy
Dentistry
Osteopathic medicine
Sport podiatry
Orthotist/prosthetists
Sports chiropractic

9. Sports Medicine Human Performance & Management Injury Care
Exercise Physiology
Practice of Medicine
Sports Physical Therapy
Biomechanics
Sport Psychology
Athletic Training
Sports Nutrition
Massage therapy
Fitness Training
Orthotist/Prosthetists

10. Sports Medicine Organizations
Sports medicine organizations tend to have many goals
Upgrade field by devising and maintaining a set of professional standards (code of ethics)
Bring professionals together for exchange of ideas and research for advancement of profession
Provide opportunities for individuals to work collaboratively toward single purpose

11. Athletic Healthcare in Organized vs. Recreational Sports Activities
Delivery of healthcare is dependent on whether the event is organized or recreational
Organized activity
Generally competitive
Involves teams, leagues (secondary schools, collegiate and professional teams)
Players of the sports medicine team (coach, athletic trainer, physician) are employed on full- or part-time
College setting may also have nutritionist, sports psychologist, strength & conditioning coach, massage therapist

12. Recreational Activity
Can be competitive but often times is done more for leisure and is much less formal
City and community-based recreational leagues and teams
Often include fitness-oriented events
Sometimes recreational athlete will hire a personal fitness trainer
If injury occurs they are more likely to consult with a family physician, athletic trainer, sports chiropractor or a sports physical therapist
Typically, care provided on a fee for care basis

13. The Players on the Sports Medicine Team

14. How does the Fitness Professional Relate to the Sports Medicine Team?
Focus of the group is on improving performance
Argument can be made that by an athlete achieving a higher level of fitness, injuries are less likely to occur
The relationship between performance enhancement and injury prevention is critical

15. Strength & Conditioning Coaches
Oversee fitness of an athlete
Often employed at the collegiate level for both team and individual training sessions
Typically certified by the NSCA
All strength & conditioning coaches should be certified in CPR/AED1,2,3 and in basic First Aid1,2 (Red Cross1, National Safety Council2 or American Heart Association3)
Must work with the athletic trainer when it comes to modifying a strength training program relative to injury
The athletic trainer should dictate what the athlete can and cannot do when engaging in a strength & conditioning program
Strength & conditioning coaches are typically not available at the high school level
The athletic trainer or team coach typically assume this roles in these situations
Will require both program development and overseeing the weight room

16. Personal Fitness Trainer
Responsible for designing comprehensive exercise program to meet an individual’s needs and goals while also considering a person’s health history
No single standard qualification for a person to practice as a fitness trainer
ACSM, NASM, NSCA, & ACE have specific requirements, mandatory testing/retesting, renewal periods, and continuing education for certifications

17. Personal Fitness Trainer, cont.
All personal fitness trainers should be certified in CPR/AED and in basic First Aid
Strongest growth segment of the fitness industry
Providing increasing services in post-rehabilitation training, sports conditioning, special medical needs, and weight management
Working with a variety of client populations

18. How does a Recreation Specialist Relate to the Sports Medicine Team?
A recreation specialist plans, organizes, and oversees leisure activities and athletic programs in local recreation camp and park areas; in playground; in health clubs and fitness centers; in the workplace; and in theme parks
Required to ensure that the environment is safe.
Should an injury occur to a participant, they should be able to provide immediate and correct first aid and then refer for additional medical assistance
All recreation specialist should be certified in CPR/AED and in basic First Aid

19. Recreation and Parks Directors
Serve as an advisor to local and state recreation and park commissions to manage comprehensive recreation programs in a variety of setting
Develop budgets for recreation programs
Recreation supervisors
Serve as liaisons between parks director and recreation leaders
Plan, organize and manage various activities; may also direct special activities or events
Recreation leaders
Responsible for daily operations of the recreation program

20. Activity specialist
Provide instruction and coach groups in specialties (i.e. swimming or tennis)
Camp counselor
Lead and instruct campers in outdoor-oriented forms of recreation
Recreational therapist
Work in acute healthcare settings; working to treat and rehabilitate individuals with specific health conditions
Utilize leisure activities to improve and maintain client’s general health and well-being
May also provide interventions that help to prevent further medical problems

21. The Role of the Athletic Administrator in the Sports Medicine Team
Has a significant impact on the sports medicine team
Responsible for hiring personnel (i.e. coaches, ATC’s, strength coaches, nutritionists, team physician)
Must be sure that all individuals have the necessary credentials and are willing to work as a team
Must also oversee and develop policies & procedures, risk management plan, and emergency action plans
Responsible for the budget and for funding all aspects of an athletic healthcare program
Salaries, supplies, equipment, insurance
Commitment of the administrator can have a tremendous impact on the success of the athletic program

22. Role of the Coach in the Sports Medicine Team
Coach must be aware of the responsibilities of each individual associated with the team
If there is no athletic trainer, this becomes even more critical
Coach must understand limits of their ability to function as a health care provider in the state in which they are employed
All coaches should be certified in CPR/AED and in basic First Aid

23. Construct injury prevention conditioning programs
Must provide high quality and properly fit protective equipment
Apply proper first aid if necessary
Be CPR/AED and First Aid certified
Possess appropriate coaching licenses and certifications
Have understanding of skill techniques and environmental factors associated with sport
Continuing education through ASEP or NCACE
Function as a coach

24. Roles and Responsibilities of the Athletic Trainer
Work with athletes from time of injury to resolution
Directly responsible for all phases of health care in an athletic environment
May be employed in a variety of settings
Colleges/Universities/Secondary schools
Sports medicine clinics / Corporate settings
Amateur/professional athletics
Military/NASA/NASCAR/performing arts
Equipment sales/marketing

25. Must have extensive formal academic preparation and supervised practical experience
The Board of Certification sets academic coursework and clinical experience requirements
Upon meeting the educational guidelines applicants are eligible to sit for the BOC examination
Passing the certification examination = BOC certification as an athletic trainer
Credential of ATC

26. Roles & Responsibilities of Athletic Trainers
Injury prevention & health promotion
Ensure appropriate training, monitor environment, nutrition, maintain & fitting equipment, appropriate use of medication
Clinical examination & diagnosis
Recognize nature and extent of injury
Acute care of injury & illness
Provide first aid and management of acute injuries

27. Psychosocial strategies & referrals
Recognize abnormal behaviors; recognize the role of mental health in injury/recovery and use of intervention strategies; refer the patient to the appropriate medical personnel for intervention
Therapeutic intervention
Knowledge of equipment, manual therapy, therapeutic modalities
Healthcare administration
Budgeting, inventory, injury records, supervision of assistants, insurance, EAP development
Professional development & responsibility
Educating the public through seminars, research & providing good care

28. Responsibilities of the Team Physician
Athletic trainer works under direct supervision of physician
Physician assumes a number of roles
Serves to advise and supervise athletic trainer
Physician and athletic trainer must be able to work together
Compiling medical histories and conducting physical exams
Pre-participation screening
Diagnosing injury
Deciding on disqualifications
Physician is responsible for determining when the athlete should return to activity
Attending practice and games
It is imperative that the team physician promote and maintain consistently high quality care

29. Relationship Between the Sports Medicine Team and Athlete
Primary concern should be that of the athlete
All individuals must work cooperatively in the best interest of the athlete
Coach should differ to the medical staff and support decisions regarding athlete health care
Close communication between all parties involved is critical
Must work to develop solid working relationships
Each member will have to gain trust and confidence in the skills and abilities of each other
Imperative that the athlete is kept well-informed
Coach and athletic trainer must make a point of educating the student-athlete

30. Family and the Sports Medicine Team
Parents will also be involved at the high school and middle school level
Parent’s decision must be of a primary consideration
Athletic trainer must be prepared to deal with multiple healthcare providers at parent’s request
May be dictated via parent’s insurance plan
Must also be sure that athlete and family are familiar with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

31. Other Members of the Sports Medicine Team
Physicians
Dentist
Podiatrist
Nurse/Nurse practitioner
Physicians Assistant
Sports Chiropractors
Physical Therapist
Massage Therapist
Orthotist/prosthetist
Equipment Personnel
Exercise Physiologist
Biomechanist
Nutritionist
Sport Psychologist
Emergency Medical Specialists
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Referees