What is athletic training?

Athletic training encompasses the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of emergent, acute or chronic injuries and medical conditions. Athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA), Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as an allied health care profession.

Who are Athletic Trainers?

Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC) are highly qualified, multi-skilled healthcare professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Athletic trainers work under the directions of a physician as prescribed by state licensure statues. Certified athletic trainers are educated, trained, and evaluated in five major practice domains:

1. Injury and illness prevention and wellness promotion
2. Examination, assessment and diagnosis
3. Immediate and emergency care
4. Therapeutic intervention
5. Health care administration and professional responsibility

Athletic trainers are sometimes confused with personal trainers. There is, however, a large difference in the education, skillset, job duties and patients of an athletic trainer and a personal trainer. The athletic training academic curriculum and clinical training follows the medical model. Athletic trainers must graduate from an accredited baccalaureate or master’s program, and 70% of ATs have a master’s degree. Athletic Trainers must have the following credentials:

• National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Ceritification
• State Athletic Trainer Licensure
• American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers or Red Cross Professional Rescuer

 Why use athletic trainers?

Athletic trainers provide medical services to all types of patients, not just athletes participating in sports, and can work in a variety of job settings. Athletic trainers relieve widespread and future workforce shortages in primary care support and outpatient rehab professions and provide an unparalleled continuum of care for the patients.

Athletic trainers improve functional outcomes and specialize in patient education to prevent injury and re-injury. Preventative care provided by an athletic trainer has a positive return on investment for employers. ATs are able to reduce injury and shorten rehabilitation time for their patients, which translates to lower absenteeism from work or school and reduced health care costs.

For more information about the role of an athletic trainer, please visit National Athletic Trainers Association.