Athletic training is an under recognized profession which people are constantly asking me what it is that I am studying. In simplest terms I explain that I work alongside the sports medicine staff to help athletes with injuries sustained while playing sports. In reality athletic training is much more than that.
Athletic trainers are defined as “healthcare professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.” The clientele base can range from professional, elite, collegiate, secondary school or youth athletes to dancers, performers, military personnel, etc. Athletic trainers can work in a variety of environments including, but not limited to clinics, schools, corporate offices, and hospitals. Athletic training is a growing profession that is becoming more popular and more needed by people everyday.
As an athletic training student and future athletic training professional, I believe in treating each and every athlete with the utmost respect and best possible care I can give. An athletic trainer must possess many skills and be able to work collaboratively with many different types of health care professionals. As a student with goals and aspirations to work with high-level athletes I believe that communication, patience, wealth of knowledge, and passion are extremely important skills for an athletic trainer to possess.
Communication is a key component of athletic training because of the communication necessary between the athletic trainer and the athletes, coaches, parents, fellow healthcare professionals, and sometimes the community in general. To keep the athletes safe, communication plays a key role in keeping everyone informed on the status of the athlete, so the athlete is not put in harm’s way. It is also important to build a network of healthcare professionals that allows for referral to specialists, like nutritionists, psychologists, chiropractors, etc., so that the athlete can receive the most appropriate and best possible care.
Patience when working with athletes or patients of all ages is a key component of athletic training. A calm demeanor is necessary, especially in emergency situations, not only to keep the athlete calm but sometimes the parents, coaches and teammates as well. Patience is also important because sometimes there are setbacks in the rehabilitation process and can be frustrating not only for the athlete but the athletic trainer too. This allows the athletic trainer to not only reduce their own frustration but also the frustration of the athlete.
At all levels, the athletic trainer is sought out for knowledge on particular topics including concussions, medical conditions, nutrition, specific injuries, and the latest research on all of these topics. These topics are constantly changing and evolving so it is crucial for the athletic trainer to stay up to date in these areas. With the large amount of research available and the publishing of position statements by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), staying up to date on topics should not be difficult. I plan to attend national and regional conferences, as well as taking courses in additional certifications like Graston® technique and strength and conditioning. These will help my stay up to date on the newest research and assist me in answering questions my athletes may have.
Athletic training is a field where they have seen many people experience “burnout.” The long days and hours, and limited vacation time can be a turnoff for most people or keep people from staying in the profession for a long period of time. Passion is what keeps them going. Without a passion or love for what you do, no one can be happy in their profession. Keeping an optimistic outlook on life is why I am happy everyday. I have a passion and love for what I am studying and the field in which I am going to enter. I have a love of sports and caring for people and enjoy making a difference and positive impact in someone’s life. Without passion and love for what one does, one will find it very difficult to be happy. I see myself as a happy and positive person and look forward to continuing to make a difference in athletes’ lives.
In the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, “ Help others and give something back. I guarantee you will discover that while public service improves lives and the world around you, its greatest reward is the enrichment and new meaning it will bring your own life.” I believe that the best athletic trainers are those that help others out of the pure love and joy of doing so. This in turn makes it rewarding for the individual. A simple act like a smile of an athletic who is without crutches for the first time or small unexpected “thank you” can make such an impact on one’s life and make caring for people even more worth it. I see athletic training as not only a rewarding profession but a positive impact on my life. Even as athletic training student I have seen these little things and it drives my passion toward being the best and most successful athletic trainer I can be.
