A Good Addition to Your Team
As we head into a new school year and a new athletic season, I want to share why I believe athletic trainers (ATs) are an essential member of the athletic health care team.
North Mississippi Medical Center's Sports Medicine Program employs ATs who provide services to area high schools and community colleges, as well as cover various other athletic events.
The athletic health care team consists of athletic trainers, orthopedic physicians, primary care physicians and physical therapists, along with a host of other medical specialties. Athletic trainers play an invaluable role on the team based on their education requirements, professional training and scope of practice.
ATs are required to have a four-year degree from a Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education-accredited program and pass a rigorous three-part national certification exam to obtain an athletic training license. As of 2020, ATs must obtain a master’s degree from a CAATE-accredited program as well as pass the certification exam. Additionally, every two years, ATs are required to complete 50 hours of continuing education units to maintain their certification.
In college, we study recognition, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries, as well as human anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, psychology, exercise physiology, nutrition, therapeutic modalities and emergency situations. Clinical training during college provides hands-on experience while working under the direct supervision of experienced ATs and physicians.
ATs are sometimes the first to treat an injured athlete, monitor his or her rehabilitation progress and, upon physician clearance, perform functional testing before the athlete returns to play.
Since 2008, I have worked with the student athletes at Itawamba Agricultural High School in Fulton. My responsibilities go far beyond just attending practices and games and may vary day to day. I work closely with coaches and administrators to develop and implement strength and conditioning programs and emergency action plans and coordinate pre-participation physicals. I educate coaches and athletes through lectures and in-service programs. I also help coaches, athletes and parents navigate medical services in the community.
Much of my time is spent preparing athletes for practices and games by helping them warm-up and stretch, tape or wrap various body parts to prevent injury and assist with treatment after activity.
When injuries do occur, I provide initial first aid and then coordinate with parents, coaches and physicians if further care is necessary.
If an injury does not warrant a referral for physical therapy, I help the athlete rehabilitate from their injury.
ATs are also trained to recognize and treat life-threatening emergencies such as brain and spinal cord injuries, cardiac emergencies and heat illness issues.
I feel like the coaches appreciate having an AT present because it relieves them of the responsibility of making a decision regarding an injured athlete's ability to play—something they are not trained to do.
I also feel like having an AT present gives parents some peace of mind knowing that a qualified medical professional is there to make those decisions.
Athletic trainers manage routine sports injuries and are trained to recognize and treat life-threatening emergencies.
