1. Athletic Training: An Allied Health Profession

2. What is an Athletic Trainer?
A certified athletic trainer is an allied health professional.
Educated and trained to provide healthcare for the athletic and physically active population.
ATCs work together with other health professionals.

3. History of Athletic Training
Began in late 19th century with the establishment of intercollegiate and interscholastic sports.
In the beginning the extent of the AT profession included...
“Rub down”
Application of counterirritants
Prescription of home remedies
In 1950 the NATA was formed.
Purpose?

4. National Athletic Trainer’s Association
To set profesional standards
Promote professional meetings to exchange ideas
Create and promote research
Work as an entity for ONE purpose

5. Sports Medicine
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) defined SM as multidisciplinary including
Physiological
Biomechanical
Psychological
Pathological phenomena

6. What is The Job of an ATC? Athletic Injuries Prevent Assess Treat
Rehabilitate
Athletic Injuries

7. Typical Responsibilities of an ATC
Injury Evaluation
Injury Management
Rehabilitation
Treatment
Teaching
Wellness
Event Coverage
Supervision of Staff
Budgeting/Purchasing
Specific responsibilities will vary based on the setting

8. Where Do They Work? High schools Colleges/Universities
Professional Sports
Clinics/Hospitals
Corporate Settings

9. Requirements to Become an ATC
Coursework:
Anatomy & Physiology
Exercise Physiology
Sport Psychology
Sport Ethics
Nutrition
AT Clinicals
Evaluation Techniques
Rehabilitation Techniques
Therapeutic Modalities
Pharmacology
Earn 4 year bachelor’s degree
Must be in an accredited program
Pass the NATABOC certification exam

10. Continuing Education To maintain certification, athletic trainer must:
Acquire 80 CEUs every 3 years
Must be through approved NATABOC programs
Update CPR and First Aider Certification

11. Domains & Competencies
NATABOC created 5 domains an entry-level ATC should possess
Education council created 12 competencies that should be taught.

12. 5 Domains ATCs Practice Preventing athletic injuries
Recognition, evaluation, and immediate care
Rehabilitation
Education and guidance of patients, coaches, and parents
Healthcare administration

13. Prevention of Injury
Health assessments to identify previous or pre-disposing conditions.
Achieved by use of Preparticipation Exams (physicals)
Supervision and inspection of environmental conditions, equipment, and protective devices.
Application of functional taping, bracing, wrapping, and supports.
Educating athletes, coaches, spectators, and parents on injury and prevention

14. Recognition, Evaluation, and Immediate Care of Injury and illness
Develop an injury management plan (i.e. EAP)
Administer First Aid
Obtain a medical history
Inspect, palpate, and perform specific evaluation and functional tests
Make proper medical referral, when necessary

15. Rehabilitation and Conditioning
Implement a rehab program following protocols
Follow doctor’s orders when necessary (i.e. post surgery)
Adjust program according to patient’s progress
Evaluate athlete’s willingness to RTP

16. Education and Guidance
Develop and implement educational programs to help reduce injury rate and illness
Promote healthy lifestyles
Develop guidance programs for drug, alcohol, psychological, and nutrition issues
Develop in service programs to meet needs of staff, athletes, patients, etc.

17. Healthcare Administration
Maintain update medical records
Establish emergency action plan
Establish guidelines for injury management and referral
Develop review system to ensure maintenance of high quality care
Insurance processing
Budgeting

18. Personal Qualities of the ATC
Stamina and Ability to adapt
Empathy
Sense of humor
Communication
Intellectual Curiosity
Ethical Practice
Professional Memberships

19. The Athletic Trainer & the Athlete
The athlete must always be
informed.
May also be required to
inform the parents/
guardian.

20. Team Physician Compiling Medical Histories Diagnosing Injury
Deciding on disqualification and Return to Play.
Attending Practices and Games.
Committing to Sports and the Athlete.

21. We Need ATCs!!! Recent date collected by NATA shows…
Patient satisfaction is over 96% when treated by ATC
AT methods are effective for treating injuries and illness
Studies show quick intervention by ATs reduces surgery probability and re-injury rate
Produce great outcomes after injuries & returning athletes to pre-injury functional status

22. The American Red Cross Recommends ATCs in All High Schools
“The daily utilization of services provided by a certified athletic trainer to high school athletes can result in the reduction of accident insurance premiums for the high school.”
-John Joy, President
Scholastic Insurers Inc.

23. For More Information On Athletic Training, Contact:
National Athletic Trainers’ Associate
Phone: (214)
Web:
Fax on demand: (888)-ASK-NATA OR
Contact your local certified athletic trainer