Athletic Training is an allied health profession that is responsible for the prevention, evaluation, management and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. It also includes the education and counseling of athletes, parents and coaches along with administration, and organization of sports medicine programs. There is extensive clinical rotation experience, and many athletic trainers obtain master’s degrees. A 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.
Certified athletic trainers have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree, usually in athletic training, health, physical education or exercise science. In addition, athletic trainers are required to pass a comprehensive board examination to earn their ATC credentials and are required to recertify every two years. Athletic trainers study human anatomy, human physiology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, athletic training, nutrition and psychology/counseling.
Having an athletic trainer present can ensure proper care of athletes, proper referrals to appropriate physicians and rehabilitation for injuries. Athletic trainers work with players day-to-day on injury care and prevention, building a level of trust. It’s this trust that carries throughout the season with the coach, parent and athletic trainer to ensure proper care when an emergency situation occurs.
The primary benefit of athletic trainers is their knowledge of the musculoskeletal system and how athletics and stress affect them. With this knowledge, an athletic trainer can provide advice on how to prevent injury, most notably in terms of stretching and preparing your body for an aggressive workload. The trainer also plays a large role in post-practice routines, helping to ice and treat sore and swelling muscles and tendons and assessing how the workload is affecting an individual’s body. An athletic trainer’s ability to monitor these physiological responses to stress makes it easier for athletes to continue exercising while injured, without a high risk of exacerbating the injury.
Aaron Armstrong, MPE, ATC
Athletic Trainer
Elite Sports Medicine Clinic at the Sports, Spine and Rehabilitation Centre
esmbahamas@gmail.com
Aaron Armstrong holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA in Athletic Training and has been a Board Certified Athletic Trainer since 2012. He also earned a Master of Physical Education degree in Athletic Administration from Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID.
Our certified sports medicine team can help prevent and treat injuries to keep you performing at your best.
Our professional sports health care team at Elite Sports Medicine are US board certified health care professionals. We offer the highest level of sports injury care in the Bahamas for youth athletes, professional athletes and even the weekend warriors.