Athletic Training
| What is Athletic Training? | Related Career Titles |
| Related Major Skills | Job & Internship Search Links |
| Career Planning Links | Professional Association Links |
| Additional Resources | UNCW Dept. of HAHS |
What is Athletic Training?
Athletic Training is an allied health care profession recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) that specializes in the prevention, evaluation, treatment, management and rehabilitation of athletic related injuries and illnesses.
The Certified Athletic Trainer (AT) is an allied health care professional that is certified by the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC). Certified Athletic Trainers are also sometimes referred to as sports therapists or sports medicine practitioners and are the centerpiece of the sports medicine team. They serve as a liasson to the athlete, coach, physician and other supplemental personnel providing care to athletes sustaining physical or emotional trauma. Specifically, the Certified Athletic Trainer's role delineation encompasses six domains:
- Athletic Injury Prevention and Risk Management
- Recognition, Evaluation and Assessment of Injuries and Illnesses
- Immediate Care of Injuries
- Treatment, Rehabilitation and Reconditioning
- Health Care Organization and Administration
- Professional Development and Responsibility
Many athletic training majors find employment in the areas listed below; however, several of these careers may require education beyond a bachelor's degree.
| High School Athletic Trainer | Sports Physical Therapist | Strength & Conditioning |
| Team Physician | Massage Therapist | Assistant Athletic Trainer |
| Fitness Consultant | Personal Trainer | Fitness Instructor |
| University Athletic Trainer | Teacher | Coach |
| Sports Club & Resort Mgr | Aerobics Instructor | Sports Dietician |
| Exercise Physiologist | ||
| Employment Settings for the Athletic Trainer | ||
| Public & private high schools Colleges and Universities Professional sports teams Amateur sports teams |
Sports medicine clinics Corporate settings Hospitals |
Health and fitness centers United States Olympic Ctrs International athletic orgs. |
Related Major Skills
| Problem Solving |
| Analyzing Injuries |
| Taping, Bandaging, and Stretching Athletes |
| Motor Skills |
| Communication (inform proper nutrition & diet for athletes) |
| Monitor rehabilitative programs |
| Basic First-Aid and CPR Skills / Certification |
| Proficient knowledge in anatomy, physiology and biology |
| Work well under stress |
| Working with People |
| Demonstrating physical stretches and rehabilitative movements |
| Operating modality machines and other training equipment |
| Deductive Reasoning Skills |
| Referring athletes to appropriate physicians when necessary |
| Maintain poise in emergency situations |
| Recording, organizing and storing information on injuries and rehabilitation |
| Implement exercise & rehabilitation programs for athletes |
| Good judgment and decision-making |
Job & Internship Search Sites
North Carolina Athletic Trainers Association
North Carolina High School Athletic Association
Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society: jobs, internships
Career Planning Links
Human Kinetics: careers in athletic training and related career fields
Athletic Trainers (from US Dept of Labor)
Allied Health Profession - Athletic Training
Athletic Training Career Overview
Net Wellness
Athletic Training Employment Issues Handbook and Guide (pdf)
Sports Medicine Careers
Sports Medicine Careers
Sports Medicine
Professional Associations
North Carolina Athletic Trainers' Association
Southeast Athletic Trainers' Association (SEATA)
Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
NATA Research & Education Foundation
National Athletic Trainers' Association
American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine
American Medical Society for Sports Medicine
National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification
American College of Sports Medicine
The National Strength & Conditioning Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Exercise & Sports Trainer Association
American Physical Therapy Association
American Society of Exercise Physiologists
Center for Exercise Physiology
Additional Resources
National Commission for Certifying Agencies - offering strength & conditioning and personal training professionals the challenge of earning nationally accredited credentials
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