By: Toby K.
Athletic training is primarily
regarded as helping to deal with injuries. This, however, is not the case.
Trainers are primarily there to help prevent injuries. While they may help
athletes that have been hurt, this is usually a very small part of their job.
In order to become an athletic trainer, a person must first get through 4 years
of an undergraduate degree. Then after that they must receive a postgraduate
degree from a certified athletic training program.
To help prevent injuries, a trainer
can do
a multitude of things. Whether is is something small like making sure
the athletes are hydrated or something larger like helping an athlete learn how
to use the correct muscles when they are lifting weights. One of the most
common things that an athletic trainer will do is tape an ankle. In order to do
this the trainer will hold the athletes steady and then put three anchor
bandages around the bottom of the foot starting from the inside of the leg and
proceeding to the outside. Next, the trainer will make a figure eight around
the foot and the leg. Finally, they will put a couple of safety tapes just
around the top and bottom of the ankle.
Sources:
Bottom Image URL: http://homepages.wmich.edu/~brp1183/athletic-training-career1.jpeg
I've always had a ton of respect for athletic trainers. It is cool to see how it isn't just a one dimensional job of fixing injuries, but also preventing them.
ReplyDelete- Ian O.
Athletic trainers are so important, it is crucial that athletes know how to properly train and take care of themselves.
ReplyDelete- Abbie W.
Thanks for the comments guys. I wanted to spread awareness about why ATs are so important.
ReplyDelete