What is an Athletic Trainer?
Athletic Trainers (ATs) are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. 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.
Whats the difference between a personal trainer and an athletic trainer?
Typical patients and clients served by athletic trainers include:
- Recreational, amateur and professional athletes
- Individuals who have suffered musculoskeletal injuries
- Those seeking strength, conditioning, fitness and performance enhancement
- Others delegated by the physician
Some places athletic training services are provided include:
- Athletic training facilities
- Schools (K-12, colleges, universities)
- Amateur, professional and Olympic sports venues
- Clinics
- Hospitals
- Physician offices
- Community facilities
- Workplaces (commercial and government)