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The number of sports-related injuries increases every year, regardless of whether an athlete is an Olympian, a professional, an amateur, or a youth competing in a recreational sport. Today, many teams and organizations have an athletic trainer at all practices and sporting events in case an injury occurs. You've likely seen them on the sidelines and they may have assisted you or your child, but even so, many of us still find ourselves asking - what is an Athletic Trainer? Please continue reading to learn more:
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What is an Athletic Trainer
An athletic trainer is a health care professional that specializes in the management, prevention, recognition, and rehabilitation of injured athletes (of all ages). They work in a variety of settings from professional, college and high school sports to rehabilitation clinics, hospitals and physician offices. They can even be found in industrial settings and the military. While they collaborate with licensed physicians, athletic trainers administer immediate emergency and follow-up care, optimizing the patients return to normal activity. They are the fundamental communication liaison between the injured athlete, the physician, and the coach when helping to determine when an athlete can return to practice or competition.
Injuries Administered As one of the first health care providers on the scene, athletic trainers are able to recognize, evaluate, and assess injuries while providing immediate care. These injuries include emergency, acute, and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities caused mostly by overexertion and strenuous movements, generally due to overuse. The most common injuries include: Along with providing on-site emergency care, athletic trainers educate athletes on how to reduce their risk for injuries by teaching exercises that improve balance and strength and advising on the proper use of equipment. For additional prevention injury tips, please click here.
Certification Certified athletic trainers have earned either a bachelors or masters degree from an accredited training curriculum. Accredited programs include formal instruction in areas such as injury/illness prevention, first aid and emergency care, assessment of injury/illness, human anatomy and physiology, therapeutic modalities, and nutrition. More than 70 percent of certified athletic trainers hold at least a masters degree.
Athletic Trainers of St. Francis St. Francis Certified Athletic Trainers can be found at many community sporting events waiting to assist if an injury occurs. Check out the calendar to the left to see upcoming events that our certified athletic trainers will be attending. And remember, you can reach a certified athletic trainer anytime by calling 864-675-HURT.
For more information on athletic training, visit the National Athletic Trainers Associations website by clicking here.
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