This March, National Athletic Training Month highlights the vital work and value of athletic training in injury prevention and rehabilitation. As greater awareness grows about sports injuries, such as concussions and the number of youth athletes participating in team and adventure sports increases, so does the demand for athletic trainers. Athletic trainers implement training, safety, and diagnostic practices designed to minimize injuries.
Athletic trainers: In high demand
According to U.S. News and World Report, at least 45 million U.S. children play team sports. At the same time, every 25 seconds, someone visits an emergency room with a sports-related injury.
Athletic trainers act as “first responders” on the field, being equipped to evaluate injuries and their seriousness, as well as perform initial diagnostics and treatment. Many of them work closely with a physician to develop rehabilitation and therapeutic plans after an injury, and provide recommendations for gradually returning to sports.
A full time athletic trainer at a school will most likely work closely with the athletic department, coaches, and students to develop a comprehensive injury prevention program. They also can track and keep records on injuries to address areas needing new strategies to preventing further injuries.
Athletic trainers can also provide:
- Nutritional counseling
- Selection and fitting of protective gear
- Psychological and physical assessments of athletes throughout the season
- Recommendations based on existing medical conditions and/or disabilities
- Warm-up and stretching recommendations
Coaches cannot be expected to professionally diagnose and treat injuries and medical conditions. School physicians have competing demands and areas of attention to devote their time to, making a full time athletic trainer a wise choice for many school districts today.
The demand for athletic trainers isn’t just growing for secondary schools. Universities, performing arts, occupational safety, professional sports, and the military are just some of the areas demonstrating an increased need for athletic training.
For more on National Athletic Training Month, visit https://www.nata.org/advocacy/public-relations/national-athletic-training-month.
At Robinwood Orthopaedic Specialty Center in Hagerstown, MD, we offer preventative care, diagnostic services, and surgery for sports injuries. Please visit our website for more information, or call (301) 665-4950.
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