Athletic Trainer

An athletic trainer is a healthcare provider who prevents, diagnoses and treats sports injuries. They work with athletes and other physically active people. They’re often on-site at sporting events and training sessions.

What do athletic trainers do?

An athletic trainer can help you in lots of ways, including:

• Diagnosing and treating injuries: This can include common issues like sprains and concussions, or illnesses like heat stroke. They can also provide emergency first aid, like CPR.
• Helping you prevent injuries: They’ll show you the safest way to do activities. They can also offer treatments that may reduce your injury risk, like taping.
• Developing rehab plans: Your trainer will help you recover from injuries and resume physical activities safely.
• Working with a sports medicine team: Your trainer will coordinate with doctors and other healthcare providers to get you back on the field or court.

Where do athletic trainers work?

You might picture athletic trainers working with professional sports teams. And many do. But they work in other places too. Some work in private practices. Others work in hospitals or other healthcare clinics. Half of all athletic trainers work at schools and universities. Athletic trainers also work with:

• Youth sports leagues
• Police and fire departments
• Branches of the military
• Performing arts groups

What kind of certification does an athletic trainer have?

All athletic trainers need a bachelor’s degree. These days, people entering the field also need to earn a master’s degree in athletic training. After that, they must pass a certifying exam. That’s the final step before they can start their career. They must complete continuing education courses every year after that to maintain their certification.

It usually takes around six years to earn the degrees. Most trainers spend six months studying and practicing to pass the certifying exam.

What knowledge and skills do athletic trainers need?

Athletic trainers need to know a lot about science and health, including:

• Anatomy: How the parts of your body fit together
• Biomechanics and kinesiology: The sciences of how your body moves
• Pathology: How injuries and diseases happen
• Nutrition: How what you eat and drink affects your health
• Physical rehab: Designing an injury recovery or prevention plan

Athletic trainers also need good people skills. They need empathy and patience to help people with injuries. They need critical thinking skills to solve problems quickly. Trainers must also be good communicators. This helps them explain complex issues or concepts in ways people can understand.

How could an athletic trainer help me?

You don’t need to be a professional athlete to work with an athletic trainer. They can help any active person. You might work with a trainer when you’re recovering from surgery or an illness. They can also help you manage a long-term condition like overweight or obesity.

Trainers are usually more known for emergency care when an injury happens. But they can also help you avoid injuries. This is called preventive medicine.

Athletic trainers vs. personal trainers

People sometimes confuse athletic trainers with personal trainers. A personal trainer is mainly a fitness consultant. They offer personalized exercise plans and advice. But they don’t diagnose or treat injuries.

A personal trainer isn’t a healthcare provider. Some earn certifications. But they aren’t licensed or regulated by states.

Athletic trainers vs. sports medicine physicians

Athletic trainers and a sports medicine physicians are different kinds of healthcare providers. Athletic trainers aren’t doctors. They don’t go to medical school. But they’re required to have college degrees and board certification. Athletic trainers work with sports medicine doctors as part of your care team.