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

Related Career Titles

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.

back to the top

Related Major Skills

Problem Solving	Operating modality machines and other training equipment
Analyzing Injuries	Deductive Reasoning Skills
Taping, Bandaging, and Stretching Athletes	Referring athletes to appropriate physicians when necessary
Motor Skills	Maintain poise in emergency situations
Communication (inform proper nutrition & diet for athletes)	Recording, organizing and storing information on injuries and rehabilitation
Monitor rehabilitative programs	Implement exercise & rehabilitation programs for athletes
Basic First-Aid and CPR Skills / Certification	Good judgment and decision-making
Proficient knowledge in anatomy, physiology and biology	Working with People
Work well under stress	Demonstrating physical stretches and rehabilitative movements