NSATA

Athletic Training 101

What is athletic training?

Athletic training is practiced by athletic trainers, health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to optimize activity and participation of patients and clients. Athletic training encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and intervention of emergency, acute, and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities.

How is athletic training different from personal training?

Athletic training is not the same profession as personal training. And certified athletic trainers work with more than just athletes – they can be found just about anywhere that people are physically active.

Athletic Trainers vs Personal Trainers

To become certified athletic trainers, students must graduate with bachelors or masters degree from an accredited professional athletic training education program and pass a comprehensive test administered by theBoard of Certification. Once certified, they must meet ongoing continuing education requirements in order to remain certified.

Where do athletic trainers work?

·         Hospital & Clinical
·         Colleges & Universities
·         Industrial/Occupational
·         Military
·         Performing Arts
·         Physician Extender
·         Professional Sports
·         Public Safety
·         Secondary Schools

How much education is required?

Students who want to become certified athletic trainers must earn a degree from an accredited athletic 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. Classroom learning is enhanced through clinical education experiences. More than 70 percent of certified athletic trainers hold at least a master’s degree.

The minimum entry point into the profession of Athletic Training is at the baccalaureate level; by 2014-2015, all accredited education programs in Athletic Training will lead to a degree in Athletic Training. Upon completion of a CAATE-accredited Athletic Training education program, students become eligible to obtain national certification granted by the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC).

Students must receive formal instruction in the following specific subjects:

Basic and Applied Sciences

Professional Content

o  Human anatomy
o    Human physiology
o    Biology
o    Statistics and research design
o    Rehabilitation
o    Exercise Physiology
o    Kinesiology/Biomechanics

o    Risk Management and Injury Prevention
o    Pathology of Injuries and Illnesses
o    Orthopedic Clinical Exam and Diagnosis
o    Medical Conditions and Disabilities
o    Acute Care of Injuries and Illnesses
o    Therapeutic Modalities
o    Rehabilitative Exercise & Conditioning
o    Pharmacology
o    Psychosocial Intervention and Referral
o    Nutritional Aspects of Injuries & Illnesses
o    Health Care Administration
o    Professional Development & Responsibility

Clinical Education

Students are required to participate in a minimum of two years of academic clinical education. Through these experiences, students gain clinical experiences associated with a variety of different patient populations defined but not limited to: gender, varying levels of risk, utilization of protective equipment, and general medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, asthma) that address the continuum of care. Clinical experiences provide students with opportunities to practice under the direct supervision of qualified Clinical Instructors (i.e., Certified Athletic Trainer or other credentialed health care professionals).