Sports Medicine is the evaluation, treatment, and prevention of injuries. It seeks to maintain and enhance the individual's physical performance, fitness, health and quality of life.
The Certified Athletic Trainer
The Certified Athletic Trainer is a highly educated and skilled professional specializing in athletic health care. In cooperation with physicians and other allied health personnel, the athletic trainer functions as an integral member of the athletic health care team in secondary schools, colleges and universities, sports medicine clinics, professional sports programs and other athletic health care settings
Education
Certified Athletic Trainers have, at minimum, a bachelor's degree, usually in athletic training, health, physical education or exercise science. In addition, athletic trainers study human anatomy, human physiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, athletic training nutrition and psychology/counseling. Certified athletic trainers also participate in extensive clinical affiliations with athletic teams under appropriate supervision.
Certification
Certified Athletic Trainers have fulfilled the requirements for certification established by the National Athletic Trainer's Association Board of Certification, Inc. (NATABOC). The certification examination administered by NATABOC consists of a written portion with multiple choice questions; a practical section that evaluates the psychomotor skill components of the domains with athletic training; and a written simulation test, consisting of athletic training related situations designed to approximate real-life decision making. This last portion of the test evaluates athletic trainer's ability to resolve cases similar to those they might encounter in actual practice. The examination covers a variety of topics within the six domains of athletic training:
Prevention of athletic injuries
Recognition, evaluation and immediate care of athletic injuries
Rehabilitation and reconditioning of athletic injuries
Health care administration
Professional development and responsibility
