What is an Athletic Trainer?

Certified athletic trainers (ATCs) - not to be confused with personal trainers - are highly educated and skilled professionals. They offer athletes:

• Injury prevention
• Recognition, evaluation and immediate care of injuries
• Bracing/taping/strapping to protect an injured structure, enable movement and restore normal functioning
• First aid/CPR
• Emergency care
• Health care administration
• Education and counseling about injury care and prevention
• Professional development training.

The National Athletic Trainers' Association, Inc. (NATA) is the largest organization representing ATCs. Its certified athletic trainers have met educational and experiential requirements and passed a competency examination. Tennessee also requires a license to practice as a trainer.

The American Medical Association (AMA) recognizes athletic training as an allied health profession. ATCs are integral members of athletic health care teams in secondary schools, colleges and universities, sports medicine clinics, professional sports programs, corporate and industrial health programs, physicians' offices and health clubs.

Wherever they practice, ATCs add value by:

• Helping prevent injuries - and unnecessary trips to the emergency room
• Restoring patients' good health and ability to participate in sports
• Reducing re-injury rates
• Cutting time lost to nonsurgical injuries
• Improving patients' ability to function after reconstructive joint surgery.