An athletic trainer is a healthcare professional who works with athletes to prevent, evaluate, and treat injuries. Theyare certified by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and must complete a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from an accredited program.
Athletic trainers work with athletes of all ages and skill levels, from youth sports to professional athletes. They provide a variety of services, including:
- Injury prevention
- Injury evaluation and diagnosis
- Injury treatment and rehabilitation
- Nutrition counseling
- Strength and conditioning training
- Mental health counseling
Athletic trainers play an important role in the health and well-being of athletes. They help athletes stay healthy and injury-free, and they can also help athletes improve their performance.
Education and Training
Athletic trainers must complete a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from an accredited program. The curriculum for an athletic training program typically includes coursework in the following areas:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Biomechanics
- Exercise science
-
Nutrition
- Psychology
- Injury prevention and treatment
In addition to completing a bachelor’s degree, athletic trainers must also pass a national certification exam administered by the NATA. Once certified, athletic trainers must complete continuing education credits every two years to maintain their certification.
Career Outlook
The job outlook for athletic trainers is expected to be very good over the next decade.The growing popularity of sports and fitness, as well as the increasing number of athletes participating in competitive sports, is expected to drive demand for athletic trainers.
Athletic trainers can work in a variety of settings, including:
- High schools
- Colleges and universities
- Professional sports teams
- Hospitals and clinics
- Fitness centers
The median annual salary for athletic trainers was $48,370 in May 2020. The top 10% of earners made more than $83,640, and the bottom 10% earned less than $30,750.
Conclusion
Athletic trainers are healthcare professionals who play an important role in the health and well-being of athletes. They are certified by the NATA and must complete a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from an accredited program. The job outlook for athletic trainers is expected to be very good over the next decade.
