The Athletic Trainer and the Sports Medicine Team

Introduction

Sports Medicine

Athletic Training Biomechanics Exercise Physiology Medical Practice Physical Therapy Sport Nutrition Sport Psychology Massage Therapy

Sports Medicine Team:

1. Team Physician—absolute authority in determining participation status

2. Athletic Trainer3. Coach4. Athlete

Professions Associated With Sports Medicine

Family Doctor Certified Strength and

Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) Chiropractor Massage Therapist Physician’s Assistant

Associated Professions (cont’d)

Physical Therapist Physical Therapist Assistant Sports Nutritionist Sports Psychologist National Strength and Conditioning

Association Certified Personal Trainer (NCSA-CPT)

Athletic Training & the ATC

The rendering of specialized care (prevention, recognition, evaluation and care of injuries) to individuals involved in exercise and athletics.

Certified Athletic Trainer: highly educated and skilled professional who specializes in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries

Title IX

Federal legislation in effect since 1972 Prohibits discrimination in school athletic

participation on the basis of sex Tremendous increase in female athletic

participation, creating an even greater need for qualified certified athletic trainers

History and Development of Athletic Training

Galan, gladiators in ancient Rome Renaissance, human body actively studied Leonardo da Vinci, great contributor during

Renaissance 19th century firm establishment of intercollegiate &

interscholastic sports The Trainer’s Bible

– 1917, Dr. S.E. Bilik– First major text on athletic training and the care of athletic injuries

History and Development of Athletic Training

Cramer Family (1920s)– Gardner, Kansas– Started a chemical company and began

producing a liniment to treat ankle sprains– Publication of First Aider in 1932– Family instrumental in early development of the

athletic training profession– Continue to play prominent role in education of

student athletic trainers

History and Development of Athletic Training

1950: NATA formed, establishing professional standards for the athletic trainer

1991: American Medical Association (AMA) recognized athletic training as allied health profession

Athletic Trainer

Preventing injuries from occurring Providing initial first aid and injury management Analyzing and evaluating injuries Taping and bandaging Implementing exercise and

rehabilitation programs for athletes

Using various modalities and training equipment

Recording, organizing, and storing information on injuries and rehabilitation

Requirements for Certification

Must graduate from an undergraduate or graduate program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP)

Pass certification examination Maintain certification with continuing

education

Core Curriculum

Human anatomy Human physiology Psychology Kinesiology Biomechanics Exercise physiology Personal community

health Nutrition

Prevention of athletic injuries/illness

Evaluation of athletic injuries/illness

Therapeutic modalities Therapeutic exercise Administration of

athletic training programs

Core Curriculum cont.

First aid and emergency care

General medical conditions and disabilities

Health care administration Medical ethics and legal

issues Pathology of injury/illness Pharmacology

Professional development and responsibilities

Psychosocial intervention and referral

Risk management and injury/illness prevention

Strength training and reconditioning

Statistics and research design

Weigh management and body composition

Purpose of Certification

To establish standards for entry into the profession of athletic training

Standards set by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification (NATABOC) www.nataboc.org

Certification Examination

Fulfill requirements Tested in 6 domains:

– Prevention of athletic injuries– Recognition, evaluation & assessment of injuries– Immediate care of injuries– Treatment, rehabilitation, & reconditioning of

athletic injuries– Health care administration– Professional development & responsibility

Roles and Responsibilities of the Athletic Trainer

1. Preventative2. Recognition, Evaluation, and Immediate

Care3. Rehabilitation Course of Action4. Administration5. Professional Development6. Personal Skills

1. Preventative

Pre-Participation Screening (PPE) Conditioning

– Total body– Sport or injury specific

Monitoring Environmental Conditions– Field conditions– Weather

Properly Fitted Equipment Educate

– Parents, coaches, athletes

2. Recognition, Evaluation, and Immediate Care

Emergency Acute Course of Action

3. Rehabilitation Course of Action

Short Term Long Term Return to Play

4. Administration

Documentation– Daily records– Treatment logs– Insurance– Family history– Medications– Surgeries

Written Guidelines

Policy and Procedures– Daily operations– Rules/regulations– EAP– Scheduling

5. Professional Development

Membership in Different Professional Organizations

Stay current– CEU

Be active in organizations

6. Personal Skills

1. Know the Athlete: Medical History

past/current– Injuries, allergies, meds,

contact lens, dental appliances

Personality – Low tolerance vs. high

tolerance

2. Know the Sport: Fundamentals Demands of sport Same injury

– In one sport not cleared, in another can play

Personal Skills cont.

3. Remain Calm: Self calm Calm the athlete

– Very difficult to assess if the athlete is scared, excited, and anxious

4. Alert: Observe all athletes

– Limping, down, acting unusual

5. Good Judgment: Common sense

Personal Skills cont.

6. Experience: Confidence Assessment skills7. Patience (with): Evaluation Athlete Self

Personal Skills cont.

8. Referral: Record all information Send to physician

– Doubts, concerns Clearance

What personal qualities make a good Athletic Trainer?

Empathy Flexibility Ability to adapt Stamina Ability to communicate Personability with

athletes Listener (counselor)

Common sense Good judgment Intellectual curiosity Education Experience Confidence Patience

Required Skills

Problem solving ability Deductive reasoning

skills Good judgment Good decision making

skills Proficient knowledge of

anatomy, physiology, biology, and advanced first aid

Motor skills Communication skills Ability to work well with

people Ability to work well

under stressful conditions

Ability to maintain poise in emergencies

Role of the Athlete

Conditioning and Fitness

Proper Nutrition Know Risk of Sport Report Injuries Active Role in Rehab Athlete’s Bill of Rights

Support Personnel

Nurse School health services Orthopedist General Practioner/Family

Doctor Neurologist Internist Ophthalmologist Pediatrician Psychiatrist Nutritionist Chiropractor

Dentist Podiatrist Physician’s Assistant (PA) Physical Therapist (PT) Strength & Conditioning

specialist Biomechanist Exercise Physiologist Sports Psychologist Massage Therapist Social Worker

Associations

NATA – National Athletic Trainer’s Association

NATABOC – National Athletic Trainer’s Association Board of Certification

ACSM– American College of Sports Medicine

CAATE– Commission on the Accreditation of Athletic Training Education

AOSSM– American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine

NSCA– National Strength and Conditioning Association

National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA)

Founded in 1950 (100-200 members) Headquarters in Dallas, TX 26,000+ members presently Quarterly journal The Journal of Athletic

Training Annual convention www.nata.org

Terminology

Sports Medicine Certification Registration Licensure

Employment Settings

Secondary Schools School District College/University Professional Teams Sports Medicine Clinic Industrial Setting Hospital/Outreach Non-traditional

Secondary Schools

Usually faculty-athletic trainer position

Compensation based on:

– Released time from teaching

– Stipend as coach Provide limited

coverage

School Districts

Centrally placed ATC May be full- or part-time Non-teacher who

serves several schools Advantage = savings Disadvantage = lack or

inadequate coverage/service

Colleges/Universities

Small Institutions– Part-time teacher, part-

time athletic trainer– Multiple sports– Also provide coverage to

intramurals & club programs

– Long hours– Limited resources

Major Institutions– Full-time athletic trainers– Works only for dept of

athletics– One sport– Long hours!– Abundance of resources,

personnel

Sports Medicine Clinics

More ATCs employed in this setting than in any other

Varies from clinic to clinic– Most ATCs treat patients with sports-related

injuries in am & contract out to high schools in pm– Salaries are typically slightly higher than in more

traditional settings May be responsible for marketing of sports

medicine program

Professional Teams

Perform specific team athletic training duties for 6 months per year

Works with only one team or organization

Under contract, similar to players

Industrial/Military

Becoming common for ATC to work in a prevention role

Oversee fitness and injury rehabilitation programs for employees

Must understand concepts behind ergonomics

May be assigned to conduct wellness programs & provide education and individual counseling

Also employed by federal law enforcement agencies (i.e.. FBI, CIA, DEA)

Non-Traditional

X-Games Dance company

Working Relationship:

1. Administrators2. Athletic Personnel3. Parents4. Allied Health Professionals