Athletic Trainer
Field of Study — Other Health Care Careers
Athletic trainers focus on the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses occurring in physically active individuals. They help ensure that athletic competition is safe, morale is high, and performance is its best. Certified athletic trainers are the leading experts in health care for the physically active. They are a key resource for making physical activity safe in any setting, ranging from professional and amateur sports to on-the-job work activity.
Athletic trainers:
- prevent athletic injury and enhance performance using knowledge of nutrition, hygiene, psychology, conditioning and protective equipment.
- develop training programs to prevent injuries.
- treat and rehabilitate athletic injuries as directed by team physicians.
- educate others about athletic injuries, equipment, nutrition and exercise programs to attain optimal performance.
Practice settings for certified athletic trainers include professional and amateur sporting events, colleges, universities, high schools, sports medicine clinics, hospitals, industrial settings and health centers.
Educational Requirements
Students wishing to pursue a career as an athletic trainer should take challenging high school courses in science, math and English and must graduate from a college or university with an accredited athletic training curriculum. Athletic training programs include supervised clinical experience under the direction of a certified athletic trainer, as well as core courses in biology, anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and other related topics.
To become certified, students must pass a three-part examination, including written comprehension, written simulation and oral-practical sections.
Educational Institutions
Virginia Colleges and Universities
Averett University
Bridgewater College
Ferrum College
James Madison University
Liberty University
Lynchburg College
Shenandoah University
University of Richmond
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Intermont College
Virginia Vocational Schools
Professional Associations
- National Athletic Trainers’ Association
2952 Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, TX 75247
1-800-879-6282
http://www.nata.org