What is an athletic trainer?
An athletic trainer is a professional who is highly trained in the science and art of athletic injury management. Athletic trainers have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and have completed rigorous practical and academic training in athletic injury prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation. Following successful completion of appropriate academic coursework and practical experience, a difficult three-part exam administered by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification must be passed for an athletic trainer to become certified. Certified athletic trainers must meet continuing education requirements throughout their careers to maintain their certification. For more information on athletic trainers, see www.nata.org.
Athletic trainers are medical professionals who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, immediate care, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries to athletes and others who are engaged in everyday physical activities. Athletic training has been recognized by the American Medical Association as a health care profession since 1990. The AMA also recommends employment of certified athletic trainers in every high school to keep America’s youth safe and healthy.
