Athletic training

Athletic training is an allied health care profession recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) that "encompasses the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of emergent, acute, or chronic injuries and medical conditions." There are five areas of athletic training listed in the seventh edition (2015) of the Athletic Training Practice Analysis: injury and illness prevention and wellness promotion; examination, assessment, diagnosis; immediate and emergency care; therapeutic intervention; and healthcare administration and professional responsibility.

Athletic trainers (ATs) generally work in places like health clinics, secondary schools, colleges and universities, professional sports programs, and other athletic health care settings, usually operating "under the direction of, or in collaboration with a physician."

According to the National Athletic Trainers' Association, there are more than 58,000 athletic trainers around the world. The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics projects that employment of the athletic trainers is estimated to grow by 19% between 2018 and 2028.

The traditional setting for athletic trainers is embedded within a sports team. In the United States, over 40% of athletic trainers work at an educational institution, including universities, secondary schools, and middle schools, providing health care to student athletes. Athletic trainers in this setting are commonly present at practices and competitions to be able to serve as first responders and deliver care as needed. Providing care at practices and competitions commonly leads to long working hours, including nights and weekends.

Also, in the United States, approximately 18% of athletic trainers work in a clinic setting. This includes sports medicine clinics, outpatient ambulatory rehabilitation clinics, emergency departments, physician clinics, and assisting in surgery, among others. Job duties and responsibilities vary in this setting.

In recent decades, athletic trainers have been expanding into additional settings such as the performing arts, occupational medicine, and public security.

Athletic trainers work under the direction of a physician to deliver sports medicine services. They are commonly primary care providers for the populations that they serve, managing their day-to-day health care and care coordination needs. As sports medicine professionals, athletic trainers are broadly concerned with the prevention and treatment of sports injures.

Athletic trainers receive formal training in: