Intro to Sports Medicine and
Athletic Training
Methuen High School
Introduction to
Athletic Training
What is Athletic Training?1
Athletic training is practiced by athletic trainers.
Athletic trainers are health care professionals
who collaborate with physicians to optimize
activity and participation of patients and
clients.
But, what is athletic training? 1
Athletic training encompasses the prevention,
diagnosis, and intervention of emergency,
acute, and chronic medical conditions involving
impairment, functional limitations, and
disabilities.
How do I become an athletic trainer?1
Students who want to become certified athletic
trainers must earn a degree from an accredited
athletic training curriculum.
In college, what will I learn?1
Accredited programs include formal instruction
in areas such as injury/illness prevention, first
aid and emergency care, assessment of
injury/illness, management of injury, counseling,
human anatomy and physiology, therapeutic
modalities, and nutrition
The 5 Domains of Athletic Training1
The role of an athletic trainer is encompassed in
the description of the domains of athletic
training. The 5 domains are:
1.) Injury / Illness prevention and wellness protection
2.) Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis
3.) Immediate and Emergency Care
4.) Treatment and Rehabilitation
5.) Organizational and Professional Health and Well Being
I.) Injury / Illness prevention and
wellness protection
Athletic trainers are trained and educated in
many different strategies that optimize health.
A common expression for athletic training is:
“Jack of all trades, the master of none”
http://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/GuideToAthleticTrainingServices.pdf
II.) Clinical Evaluation and Diagnosis
Athletic trainers are educated and trained to
examine those who are injured (or have any
kind of pain), and then come to a diagnosis as
to what is the cause of that pain. Then they will
determine the management of the pain.
III.) Immediate and Emergency Care
Athletic trainers are educated and trained to
provide standard immediate and emergency
care procedures to patients and clients. Athletic
trainers also recognize when consultation with
other health care providers is necessary and
refer accordingly.
IV.) Treatment and Rehabilitation
Athletic trainers are trained to asses injuries and
pain. Based on the assessment, they will
determine treatment plans and goals. They also
understand that there are others trained in the
science of rehabilitation and will refer
accordingly.
V.) Organizational and Professional
Health and Well Being
Athletic trainers possess the skills necessary to
develop, administer and manage a healthcare
facility and associated venues that provide
healthcare services. Athletic trainers have the
skill set to utilize human, physical, and fiscal
resources to provide efficient and effective
healthcare services.
Athletic Training “Competencies”2
(1) Risk Management and Injury Prevention
(2) Pathology of Injuries and Illnesses
(3) Orthopedic Clinical Examination and Diagnosis
(4) General Medical Conditions and Disabilities
(5) Acute Care of Injuries and Illnesses
(6) Therapeutic Modalities
(7) Conditioning and Rehabilitative Exercise
(8) Pharmacology
(9) Psychosocial Intervention and Referral
(10) Nutritional Aspects of Injuries and Illnesses
(11) Health Care Administration
(12) Professional Development and Responsibilities.
Where do Athletic Trainers work?1
Training facilities, Schools (K-12, colleges,
universities), Amateur, Professional and
Olympic
sports venues, Clinics, Hospitals, Physician
offices, Community facilities, Workplaces
(commercial and government)
15 Important Facts of Athletic Training
There is a bit of mis-information out there
regarding athletic trainers and the scope of
their job description. Get the facts at:
http://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/AT_Facts.pdf
Resources Cited
• 1.) http://www.nata.org/athletic-training
• 2.) http://www.nata.org/education/competencies