Based on an article by Jake Webster, MS, ATC McLeod Sports Medicine

As we explore this question, maybe it should start with “What is an Athletic Trainer?”

ARE NOT…

One way to define Athletic Trainers is by explaining the flip side. They are NOT:

• Gym teachers
• Personal trainers
• Strength coaches
• Conditioning instructors

ARE…

In short, Athletic Trainers are highly trained health professionals, who work with sports teams and athletes to ensure they are healthy before competition, keep them healthy when they play, treat them when they are injured and work on getting them back to healthy competition.

They collaborate with physicians in providing preventive services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions, according to the National Athletic Trainers Association.  Athletic Trainers attempt to make sports participation safer and ensure that best practices for participant health are used.

You may see them taping-up players, monitoring heat and humidity during the game and conducting concussion follow-up. Research shows that schools using an Athletic Trainer diagnose more concussions, avoiding disabling brain injury or even death. They can also work with coaches in developing offseason development programs.

THE WORDS OF AN ATHLETIC TRAINER

McLeod Athletic Trainer Jake Webster has experienced everything from helping with an ankle sprain to an emotional “thank you” when an injured athlete returns to his sport. “My goal is to constantly change an athlete’s or patient’s life for the better,” says Webster. “I’ve been fortunate enough to have never had to save an athlete’s life, but I do know that I have changed lives and, possibly, preserved their longevity.”

ACTION TO TAKE

Back to the initial question: Do You Need an Athletic Trainer?

• If your child participates in sports at school, check to see if they have an athletic trainer. Of the 70% of high schools that use athletic training services, only 37% have a full-time staff member.
• Are you on a college, travel team, amateur or semi-professional sports team?  Your team could benefit from an Athletic Trainer.
• Are you involved in planning space travel? NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida employs an Athletic Trainer to work with its staff (and not just astronauts).

Learn more about Athletic Trainers.

Sources include: McLeod Health, Training Daily Advisor, National Athletic Trainers’ Association, ESPN