Chapter 2

2. Chapter 2 Athletic Training

3. Objectives • Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to: • Describe the history and development of athletic training • Describe the role certified athletic trainers play in the athletic health care system • Explain the different skills required to be a certified athletic trainer

4. Objectives (cont’d.) • Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to (cont’d.): • Describe the job market and opportunities that exist for certified athletic trainers • List various professional organizations available to certified athletic trainers • Discuss the Athlete’s Bill of Rights • Discuss liability and risk management and how they pertain to athletic training

5. What is Athletic Training? • Rendering of specialized care to individuals involved in exercise and athletics • Prevention, recognition, evaluation, and care of injuries • Athletic Trainer Certified (ATC) • Professional who has attained certification in athletic training

6. The Need for Athletic Trainers • Greater need for athletic trainers than ever before • Growth of females participants • Title XI: prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex as to participation in athletics in schools • Increase in youth sports • More college and professional athletes

7. The History and Development of Athletic Training • Galen (129 C.E.) and Hippocrates (589 years later) contributed a great deal to science and medicine • American Medical Association recognized athletic training as an allied health profession in 1991 • One that contributes to or assists the professions of physical medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, and podiatry

8. Qualifications of a Successful ACT • Skills include: • Problem-solving ability • Deductive reasoning skills • Good judgment and decision-making skills • Proficient knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biology, and advanced first aid • Motor skills • Communication skills

9. Qualifications (cont’d.) • Skills include (cont’d.): • Ability to work well with people • Ability to work well under stressful conditions • Ability to maintain poise in emergencies

10. Qualifications (cont’d.) • Tasks include: • Analyzing injuries • Taping and bandaging • Implementing exercise and rehabilitation programs for athletes • Monitoring rehabilitation programs • Demonstrating physical and rehabilitative movements

11. Qualifications (cont’d.) • Tasks include (cont’d.): • Using various modalities (methods of treatment) and training equipment • Recording, organizing, and storing information on injuries and rehabilitation

12. Qualifications (cont’d.) • Code of conduct • ATCs must abide by the rules and procedures of their certifying organization • Failure to abide can result in disciplinary action or termination

13. Qualifications (cont’d.) • Education • Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited program at a minimum • Study human anatomy, human physiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, athletic training, nutrition, and psychology/counseling • Participate in extensive clinical experiences

14. Qualifications (cont’d.) • Certification • National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification, Inc. (NATABOC) examination • Prevention • Recognition, evaluation, and assessment • Immediate care • Treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning • Organization and administration • Professional development and responsibility

15. Work Settings for the ATC • Include: • Sports medicine clinics • Public and private high schools • Colleges and universities • Amateur and professional sports teams • Health and fitness centers • Businesses • Olympic teams and training centers • Hospitals and medical clinics

16. Professional Organizations for ATCs • National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) • Largest U.S. certifying organization for ATCs • Regional, state, and local trainers’ associations • Promote athletic training, wellness, and safety of athletes at the local level • Example: Ohio Athletic Trainers Association (OATA)

17. Athlete’s Bill of Rights • No single standard • Common components include the right to: • Have fun through sports • Qualified adult leadership • Participate in a safe and healthy environment • Competent care and treatment of injuries • Participate regardless of ability or income level • Equal opportunity to strive for success • Say “no”

18. Liability and Risk Management • Hippocratic Oath • “I will follow that system of regimen [use treatment to help the sick] which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous [I will never use it to wrong them]” (Taber’s, 2001)

19. Liability and Risk Management (cont’d.) • Liable means “obligated according to law or equity; responsible” (Webster’s, 1993) • Athletic trainers take proper precautions to minimize exposure to lawsuits • Liability insurance is advisable

20. Conclusion • ATCs possess skills, knowledge, and professionalism • This allows them to be respected members of the sports medicine community • Many career paths are open to ATCs • In addition to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, most states have elected to certify or license athletic trainers