1. Athletic training
Chapter 2

2. What is an Athletic Trainer?
Highly educated and skilled professional specializing in athletic health care for the physically active
Prevention & care of athletes, physically active
History:
Greek and Roman civilizations
Established in late 19th century in the United States (intercollegiate athletics)
Lacked professional training/knowledge

3. Why “athletic trainer”?
There has been much controversy over the title

4. Growth of the Profession
Evolution of the Athletic Trainer:
1st appearance in intercollegiate athletics after WWI
1st text, The Trainer’s Bible, in 1917
Written by S.E. Bilik
Support from the Cramer family
The NATA
Formed between by university athletic trainers
1st Meeting in 1950 w/101 attendees in Kansas City, MO
Membership: from 100 to 30,000+ today (32,280 as of 8/07)
Employment Growth
Education Reform

5. Recognition and Accreditation as an Allied Health Professional
June 1991 – AMA officially recognized athletic training as an allied health profession
Primary purpose was for accrediting educational programs
June 1994 – CAHEA dissolved and replaced by Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
Now CAATE- Commission on accreditation of Athletic Training Education

6. Certification Requirements
Candidates for certification must meet NATA-BOC established requirements:
Graduation from an accredited program (CAATE)
Pass the BOC examination
Meet CEU requirements
Successful completion of the certification exam will earn the credential of ATC
Certified Athletic Trainer
Must complete 50 CEUs every 2 years
Continuing education, new research & techniques

7. Accredited programs 341 undergraduate programs
4-year programs
Graduate with BA or BS degree
Eligible to sit for BOC exam
Closest is Cal State Fullerton
26 entry-level master’s programs
2-year programs
Must already have BA or BS degree
Graduate with MS degree
Closest is California Baptist University
Post-professional degree
Master’s and Doctoral degrees

8. NATA Board of Certification (NATA-BOC)
Role Delineation Study (1999)
Redefined the profession of athletic training
Primary tasks of entry-level ATC’s
Knowledge and skills required to perform each task
Roles could be divided into six major areas or performance domains
Now five major areas

9. Roles and Responsibilities of the Athletic trainer
Performance Domains
Injury/illness Prevention and Wellness Protection
Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis
Immediate and Emergency Care
Treatment and Rehabilitation
Organizational and Professional Health and Well-being
What ATs do
Education Council Competencies & Clinical Proficiencies
Risk management
Pathology of injuries & illnesses
Orthopedic assessment/eval.
Acute care
Pharmacology
Therapeutic modalities
Therapeutic exercise
General medical conditions
Nutrition
Psychosocial Intervention
Health Care Administration
Professional Development
What ATs learn

10. Performance Domain: injury/illness prevention and wellness protection
Develop training & conditioning programs
Ensure a safe playing environment
Select, fit, & maintain protective equipment
Explain the importance of nutrition
Use medications appropriately

11. Performance Domain: Clinical Evaluation & Diagnosis
Conduct physical examinations
Understand the pathology of injury and illness
Referring to medical care
Referring to support services

12. Performance Domain: Immediate and emergency care
Initial on-field evaluation
Administer appropriate First Aid Care
Establish emergency care procedures ahead of time
EAP

13. Performance Domain: Treatment & Rehabilitation
Designing rehab programs
Supervising rehab programs
Incorporating therapeutic modalities
Offering psychosocial intervention

14. Performance Domain: organization and professional health and well-being
Organization/Administration
Record keeping
Order equipment & supplies
Supervise personnel
Establish policies & procedures
Professional Responsibilities
Continuing education
Promote the profession
Research
Professional health
Physical, emotional, spiritual health
Stress management

15. Employment Settings Secondary Schools College or Universities
Professional Teams
Sports Medicine Clinics
Corporate/Industrial Settings
The Military
Physician Extender
Treating the Physically Active
Adolescent athlete
Aging athlete

16. Personal Qualities of an Athletic trainer
Stamina & ability to adapt
Burnout
Empathy
Sense of humor
Communication
Intellectual Curiosity
Ethical Practice
Professional Memberships
Ability to relate to athletes
Ability to deal with parents

17. Certified Athletic Trainer vs. Personal Trainer
Meets the qualifications set by state licensure and the Board of Certification, Inc. and practices athletic training under the direction of a physician.
Personal Trainer
Prescribes, monitors and changes an individual’s specific exercise program in a fitness or sports setting.

18. Certified Athletic Trainer vs. Personal Trainer
Provide physical medicine and rehabilitation services
Prevent, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate injuries (acute and chronic)
Coordinate care with physicians and other allied health professionals
Work in schools, colleges, professional sports, clinics, hospitals, corporations, industry, military, performing arts
Personal Trainer
Assess fitness needs and design appropriate exercise regimens
Work with clients to achieve fitness goals
Help educate the public about the importance of physical activity
Work in health clubs, wellness centers and various other locations where fitness activities take place

19. State Regulation Licensure Certification
Must meet minimal standards of state licensing board; state limits individuals who can perform AT functions through practice acts
Most restrictive form of regulation and varies from state to state
Usually gain licensure by passing BOC exam or state licensing exam & paying fee
Certification
Does not protect term “athletic trainer”; can restrict performance of AT functions to those certified by the state
Many of these states recognize BOC exam in gaining state certification

20. State Regulation Registration Exemption
Pay state registration fee; state may not assess qualifications; protects term “athletic trainer” from being used
Exemption
State recognition allowing for performance of functions similar to those of other licensed professionals.
Usually not enough practitioners to warrant formation of a state regulatory board

21. State Regulation

22. Future Directions for Athletic training
On-going evaluation and reform of ATEPs
Third-party reimbursement
(Medicare/Medicaid)
State regulation
Licensure in CA
Increase/improve secondary school employment
Further expansion of profession in other employment settings
Emerging practices
Research
Global professional growth

23. Future Employment for athletic trainers
2006: 17,000
2016: 22,000
Growth: Much faster than average, except with professional sports teams
Largest Employment Settings
College/universities, amusement/recreation industries, general medical and surgical hospitals, elementary and secondary schools
Salary (includes wage earners)
Median for May 2006 was $36,200
Middle 50% earned between $28,920 and $45,600
Highest 10%: More than $57,580
Lowest 10%: Less than $21,940

24. Internet Research: NATA website BOC website CAATE website www.nata.org
25 facts, names, job openings, or interesting topics
BOC website
10 facts about the exam process
CAATE website
List of 10 accredited programs
homework
Due Fri beginning of class.
10 points