About Athletic Training
What is Athletic Training?
The Certified Athletic Trainer
The certified athletic trainer is a highly educated and skilled professional specializing in athletic healthcare. In cooperation with physicians and other allied health personnel, the athletic trainer functions as an integral member of the athletic healthcare team in secondary schools, colleges and universities, sports medicine clinics, professional sports programs, and other athletic healthcare settings.
Education
Certified athletic trainers have, at minimum, a bachelor's degree in athletic training. Over 70% of all certified athletic trainers have an advanced degree (either Master's or Doctorate). The education of athletic trainers occurs not only in the classroom; but, on sports fields, in hospitals, doctor's offices and sports medicine clinics. This approach uses a medical-based educational model that integrates cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor content (skills) while developing a strong foundation of a broad scope of behaviors for professional practice. Our competency based curriculum extracts subject matter from human anatomy, human physiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, nutrition, and psychology/counseling.
Certification
Certified athletic trainers have fulfilled the requirements for certification established by the Board of Certification (BOC) to assess candidates knowledge in the following six domains of athletic training:
- Prevention
- Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis
- Immediate Care
- Treatment, Rehabilitation and Reconditioning
- Organization and Administration
- Professional Development
As of 2007, the certification examination administered by BOC is 100% computer based. The integrated exam consists of 125 multiple choice questions, as well as, a hybrid portion consisting of animated simulations of athletic training related situations designed to approximate real-life clinical and decision making skills. Once athletic trainers pass the certification examination to prove their skills and knowledge within each of the six domains, they are awarded the designation "ATC."
For more information on athletic training certification, please visit Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers.
A Typical Day
Traditionally, athletic trainers were employed mainly in sports settings such as high school, university, and professional athletics. Today, athletic trainers are also providing care to sectors as diverse as industry, corporate, military, and the performing arts. The typical day for a certified athletic trainer varies depending upon the level of competition, employment setting and other institutional requirements.
Some high school athletic trainers are hired by school systems and may also teach. These individuals must manage their time carefully to ensure students receive professional academic instruction in the classroom and quality health care in athletic endeavors.
Before practice, the athletic trainer tapes, bandages, wraps, braces, monitors rehabilitation and completes similar preventive measures. During practice, the athletic trainer evaluates injuries and determines whether to refer athletes to a physician or manage conditions that arise. The athletic trainer must ensure continual communication between the injured athlete, physician, coach, and family on when and how the athlete can return to practice and competition. As specialists in the prevention, diagnosis, and rehabilitation of injuries incurred by athletes, athletic trainers administer immediate emergency care and under the supervision a licensed physician, they apply their knowledge of the injuries incurred by the physically active individual, and the factors influencing them, to develop a treatment program based on medical, exercise, and sports sciences.