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The beginning of March marks the start of National Athletic Training Month (NATM). The goal of NATM is to recognize the importance and value of athletic trainers and make a difference for them in regards to legislation, employment, and public health. Through spreading knowledge of what athletic trainers do and why they are important, awareness and the status of the profession will be improved.
What is Athletic Training?
Even though the name has “athletic” in it, never mistake this occupation as being equal to a “personal trainer.” There is a large difference in education, skillset, and job responsibilities. Athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association, as an allied health care profession. People of this profession are fully trained to prevent, examine, diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate a wide range medical conditions. As such, 70% of athletic trainers have a master’s degree.
Why are Athletic Trainers important?
Athletic trainers not only service athletes, they help all types of patients. Whether the patient is a dancer, police officer, or a baggage handler, all should have access and can benefit from having an athletic trainer on hand. People of this profession can quickly spot injuries, treat them and potentially escalate the patient to the emergency room if needed. Athletic trainers are also prepared to train people how to avoid injuries and shorten rehabilitation time after an injury. Having an athletic trainer on hand is proven to lead to lower absentee rates in sporting events, at school or at the workplace.
To summarize:
- Athletic training is a health care profession
- 70% of athletic trainers have a master’s degree
- Athletic trainers are fully prepared to prevent, examine, diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate a wide range of medical conditions
- Athletic trainers help patients from all job professions, not just athletes
- The presence of an athletic trainer can lead to lower absentee rates in the workplace and at school
Click here to go to the original article to learn more about the athletic training profession.