CORE CONCEPTS IN ATHLETIC TRAINING AND THERAPY

SUSAN KAY HILLMAN

Introduction to Athletic Training

Objectives

Describe the education, training, and licensure and certification of the athletic trainer.

Provide a general history of the athletic training profession.

Identify the top three employment settings for athletic trainers in 2009.

Identify various employment opportunities for athletic trainers.

Describe five members of the sports medicine team and explain the general duties of each.

Becoming an NATA Certified Athletic Trainer

Training and Education Require at least 4 years of college education

ATEP: Athletic Training Educational Program • Accredited school• Standards set by NATA• Housed under majors like Kinesiology• 350 + entry level ATEP programs

Find on NATA website: CAATE-accredited athletic training programs

2 years of hands on practice Evaluation, prevention and management of athletic

injuries

Becoming an NATA Certified Athletic Trainer

Certification Must satisfactorily complete undergraduate

degree at accredited programSee page 2 and 3 for courses required

Take and pass a national certification examWritten, practical demonstration, and written

simulation• Pass all 3 become an ATC, Certified Athletic

Trainer• 80 CEU’s every 3 years to maintain certification• Adhere to NATABOC standards of professional

practices

Becoming an NATA Certified Athletic Trainer

Licensure A.T. need to get licensed in some states

Ensure legal practices of athletic trainingSee figure I.1California just denied licensure for athletic

training Code of Ethics

Written by athletic trainers in 1950’sCode of Ethics: www.nata.org

Infractions may result in loss of certification

Becoming an NATA Certified Athletic Trainer

• Organization Each state represented within 1 of 10 NATA

Districts: Figure I.2 Committees and subcommittees in each district

Coordination of the organization from state to national level

NATA provides money to state organizations for educational, research and licensure purposes

History of Athletic Training

Knowledge of history provides understanding of the AT profession Began with few athletic trainers across nation,

mostly in college/university settings Current size of NATA more than 35,000 Clinics, schools, professional sports. Industry,

health and fitness, and educational programs

History of Athletic Training

The 1930s and 1940s: Promoting the Exchange of Ideas Need for organization for AT Strain caused by WWII, but several accomplishments made

The 1950s: Establishing the Organization 1947 AT began to grow, but AT had no formal education

Skills learned from others in field 1950 first national meeting held and NATA established

Considerable growth for NATA in 50’s Undergraduate programs established Constitution and By-Laws Official Logo Journal of AT established Code of ethics established

History of Athletic Training

The 1960s: Continuing the Growth 1969 American Medical Association recognized importance of AT

The 1970s: Developing Standards for Certification Licensure debate began and each state responsible for own

regulations The 1980s: Strengthening the NATA's Role

Role delineation study to establish understanding of skills required for athletic trainers

The 1990s: Becoming a Recognized Allied Health Profession Tremendous growth for NATA Official recognition of AT as allied health profession by AMA

Monumental achievement Curriculum evaluation: creation of guidelines for schools to

follow to ensure compliance for program accreditation AT moved from school and team environments to clinical and

industrial settings

History of Athletic Training

SIDEBAR: Athletic Training Curriculum Model: Suggested Courses. Page 10 The New Millennium

First female president of NATA Julie Max Internship route for ATS changed in 2004

Refine and develop competencies for which all AT are measured

Redefine and structure clinical education

Employment Opportunities in Athletic Training

Athletic training Course Instructors University or College Athletic Trainers High School Athletics Trainers (Secondary Schools) Student Athletic Trainer Graduate School Opportunities Athletic Trainers/Coaches Clinic Athletic Trainers Athletic Trainers for Professional Sports Workplace Athletic Trainers Other Potential Opportunities

The Sports Medicine Team

The Athletic Training Team Physicians Orthopedic Surgeons and Other Specialists Rehabilitation Specialists Nutritionists Sport psychologists Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians Other Support Staff Coaches and Athletes

The Sports Medicine Team

Sports medicine refers to a broad field of medical practices related to physical activity and sport Defined by American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as

multidisciplinary Includes physiological, biomechanical, psychological and

pathological phenomena associated with exercise and sport Clinical application in these areas is aimed at improving and

maintaining functional capacities for physical labor exercise and sports

Sports medicines generally focuses on areas of performance enhancement, injury care, prevention and management

The Sports Medicine Team

Areas of specialization that focus primarily on performance enhancement Exercise physiology Biomechanics Sports psychology Sports nutrition Strength & conditioning Personal fitness training Coaching Physical education

The Sports Medicine Team

Areas of specialization that focus on health care and injury/illness management specific to the athlete Practice of medicine (physicians & physician assistants) Athletic training Sports physical therapy Massage therapy Dentistry Osteopathic medicine Sport podiatry Orthotist/prosthetists Sports chiropractic

Role of Athletic Trainer

Work with athletes from time of injury to resolutionDirectly responsible for all phases of health care in

an athletic environment

Role of Athletic Trainer

Injury prevention Ensure appropriate training,

monitor environment, nutrition, maintain & fitting equipment, appropriate use of medication

Clinical evaluation and diagnosis Recognize nature and extent

of injury Immediate care

Provide first aid and management of acute injuries Minimum of CPR/AED and

First Aid

Treatment, rehabilitation and reconditioning Knowledge of equipment,

manual therapy, therapeutic modalities

Organization & administration Budgeting, inventory, injury

records, supervision of assistants, insurance, EAP development

Professional responsibility Educating the public through

seminars, research & providing good care

Relationship Between the Sports Medicine Team and Athlete

Primary concern should be that of the athlete All individuals must work cooperatively in the best interest of

the athlete Coach should differ to the medical staff and support decisions

regarding athlete health care

Close communication between all parties involved is critical

Relationship Between the Sports Medicine Team and Athlete

All parties must work to develop solid working relationship

Each member will have to gain trust and confidence in the skills and abilities of each other

Imperative that the athlete is kept well-informed Coach and athletic trainer must make a point of educating the

student-athlete