1. Athletic Training: The Profession and Its History
Chapter 1
Athletic Training: The Profession and Its History

2. What Is a Profession?
A profession, by definition, involves six essential components:
Skills based on theoretical knowledge
Skills requiring training and education
Demonstrated competence through formal testing
Integrity maintained by adherence to a formal, written code of conduct
Service is provided for the public good
Formal organization through a professional body

3. Is Athletic Training a Profession?
Skill-based theoretical knowledge
Involves the skill of evaluating a patient’s problem
Evaluation is based on theoretical knowledge—knowledge drawn from sound scientific information
Strong research emphasis

4. Is Athletic Training a Profession?
Training and education
CAATE-accredited athletic training education programs (undergraduate and entry-level master’s degrees)
Hands-on practice in the evaluation, prevention, and management of athletic injuries
Coursework must be completed in a specified period of time
A person must accumulate a set number of clinical hours under the guidance of a certified athletic trainer to become certified by the BOC (Board of Certification)

5. Is Athletic Training a Profession?
Certification
A person must pass a national certification exam, which includes the following:
Written questions
Skills application questions
Scenario questions
Now completely on-line through ACT testing centers
Maintenance of BOC certification
Continuing education units
Three-year cycle
BOC Standards of Professional Practice

6. Is Athletic Training a Profession?
Code of ethics
NATA has a well-established code of ethics
The code was written by athletic trainers and is enforced by fellow members of the organization
The NATA code of ethics includes a system of evaluating infractions, which may result in the loss of certification privileges
Public good
Broadening focus into workplace and industrial settings, expanding role in physical therapy service, maintaining strong base in school and professional athletic programs

7. Is Athletic Training a Profession?
Organization
NATA governmental structure
Ten districts
Reporting structure: State organizations report to the district level, and district organizations report to the national level
Research, scholarship programs, educational programs, and a multitude of committees operate throughout the various levels in the NATA

8. Athletic Training
Specialization within the field of sports medicine responsible for the direct administration of injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation
Certification obtained through Board of Certification (BOC)
Licensure & registration varies by state

9. Athletic Training Be careful with using the term “trainer”
In Europe, “trainer” is synonymous w/ coach
Others:
Personal
Boxers
Dogs
Horses

10. Athletic Training History
1930s & 1940s: Initial organization efforts
Athletic trainers at 1938 Drake Relays realized the need for an association
Cramer brothers and others established such an organization
This early phase of the NATA continued until 1944

11. Athletic Training History
1950s: Formation of the NATA
Increased number of schools employed athletic trainers
1950: First national meeting of the NATA
1956: Journal of the National Athletic Trainers' Association began publication
1959: Code of ethics adopted
First approved undergraduate programs at Indiana State, New Mexico, Lamar, and Mankato State

12. Athletic Training History
1960s: Continued growth
1969: The American Medical Association (AMA) acknowledged the importance of the role of the athletic trainer and commended the NATA for its role in developing professional standards

13. Athletic Training History
1970s: More formalized education
Development of standards for certification and educational programs continued through the decade
1970: First NATA certification examination
1972: First graduate athletic training curricula approved
By 1979, the NATA had established continuing education requirements for all certified athletic trainers

14. Athletic Training History
The 1980s: Strengthening the NATA's role
Heightened interest in the certification of the athletic trainer
Continued emphasis on education
Role delineation study of 1982
1982: The National Commission for Health Certifying Agencies granted membership to the NATA, evidencing continued respect on the part of other health professions for the athletic trainer

15. Athletic Training History
The 1990s: Becoming a recognized allied health profession
Tremendous growth of association membership and status in the medical community
June 22, 1990: AMA officially recognized athletic training as an allied health profession
Research and scholarly publication
Athletic trainers found not only in school and team environments but also in clinical and workplace settings
More than 23,000 certified and student members worldwide

16. Athletic Training History
Training and guiding the next generation
First woman elected president of the NATA ( )
Accredited Athletic Training Education Programs are the singular route to BOC certification
NATA Education Council continues to refine and develop educational competencies

17. NATA National Athletic Trainers’ Association
Formally established in 1950
Currently nearly 30,000 members

18. NATA Two professional publications
Journal of athletic training
NATA news
Central offices located in Dallas, TX

19. The Field of Sports Medicine
Generic term that includes many aspects of athletic healthcare
What fields could be considered part of sports medicine?

20. Sports Medicine
Multi-disciplinary
Care for athletes and physically active individuals

21. Sports Medicine
May include athletic training, biomechanics, exercise physiology, the practice of medicine (including numerous surgical specialties), physical therapy, sports nutrition, and sports psychology

22. The Sports Medicine Team
Physician
Coach
Athletic Trainer
Athlete

23. The Athletic Trainer Qualifications BOC Certification
Graduation from an accredited undergraduate ATEP
State licensure or registration (varies by state)
Licensure in Texas…only state that requires additional test for BOC certified athletic trainers

24. The Athletic Trainer: Do You Have What It Takes?
Stamina and adaptability
Burnout rates very high among athletic trainers. Why?
Empathy
Sense of humor

25. The Athletic Trainer: Do You Have What It Takes?
Communication
Intellectual curiosity
Ethical practice
Professional memberships

26. The Sports Medicine Team
Physician
Coach
Athletic Trainer
Athlete

27. The Team Physician
Medical histories / pre-participation physical examinations
Diagnosing injury and/or illness
Disqualification decisions

28. The Team Physician
Attending practices and games
Athlete advocacy

29. The Sports Medicine Team
Physician
Coach
Athletic Trainer
Athlete

30. The Coach Directly responsible for preventing injury Equipment
Technique & common sources of injury
Conditioning
First aid and CPR training

31. The Coach
Physician and athletic trainer must have last word in all healthcare matters…not the coach
Must be supported by administration

32. Other Members of the Team
Nurse
Orthopedist
Dentist
EMT

33. Other Members of the Team
Podiatrist
Physician’s assistant
Biomechanist
Massage therapist

34. Other Members of the Team
Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Sport psychologist
Physical therapist (PT)

35. Other Members of the Team
Exercise physiologist
RD or nutritional specialist
Equipment staff
Referees and umpires

36. Employment Opportunities
Many opportunities in various settings
Be open minded!
Current new-grad job placement results
20% take jobs in clinics
10% in colleges and high schools
< 2% with professional sport teams
Remainder either continue education or go into non-AT related field

37. Employment Opportunities
High schools
Some are full-time; others serve in a dual capacity, as athletic trainer and teacher
Teaching credential will help, not always necessary
Increased salary with increased education (Master’s degree)
Some school systems contract with a sports medicine or physical therapy clinic that employs athletic trainers
Salary typically in high 20’s to low to mid 30’s (starting)

38. Employment Opportunities
College/University
Clinical positions
Undergraduate degree in AT PLUS graduate assistantship & master’s degree
Salary in low 20’s and up, DOE
Teaching/research positions
Doctoral degree plus experience
Salary in the mid 30’s to mid 50’s depending upon institution & position

39. Employment Opportunities
College/university
Graduate assistant/interns
Need bachelor’s degree plus certification
Benefit package usually includes graduate tuition plus nominal stipend ($5000-$10,000 per year)

40. Employment Opportunities
Pro sports
NOT a progression
Difficult to obtain
Fewer athletic trainers are employed in this setting than in the other settings
Some professional teams employ students or other certified athletic trainers during camps
Some professional sports, such as tennis, golf, and even rodeo, hire certified athletic trainers to provide evaluation and treatment at major events
Salary ranges from 0-infinite, depending on team, sport, and level

41. Employment Opportunities
Sports medicine clinics
May have outreach responsibilities
Salary in the 30’s

42. Employment Opportunities
Industrial
Relatively new setting
Large companies seeking to keep healthcare costs down
Health maintenance
A growing number of companies employ athletic trainers to care for both work-related and non-work-related injuries, allowing the employee to manage the injury without having to leave the corporate grounds
Salaries in 30’s to 40’s