As fall sports are kicking off, knowing who is taking care of your child on the sideline is essential. While you probably know the coaches, have you met the Athletic Trainer? According to Nationwide Children’s, approximately three million youth are seen in hospital emergency rooms for sports-related injuries, and another five million youth are seen by their primary care physician or at a sports medicine clinic. Athletic Trainers (AT) play a crucial role in your Child’s health. Did you know ATs are certified and licensed healthcare professionals collaborating with physicians? ATs provide more than just water on the sideline; they are trained to prevent, treat, and rehab emergent, acute, and chronic injuries and medical conditions. ATs are trained to identify and treat concussions, heat stroke, diabetic emergencies, sickle cell crises, spin injuries, and sudden cardiac arrest.
In January of 2023, during a Monday night NFL football game, everyone saw the power of having Athletic Trainers on the sideline. Damar Hamlin experienced a sudden cardiac emergency, and the Buffalo Bills Athletic Training staff provided immediate emergency care, saving his life.
Having an AT on the sidelines allows for immediate response to emergencies; their primary focus is the safety of the athletes. They are involved in daily monitoring of student-athletes, facilities, and daily athletic activities and procedures to prevent preventable injuries. Unfortunately, not every high school has access to ATs. The National Athletic Trainer Association estimates only 37% of high schools have full-time athletic training services. In Ohio, 46% of secondary schools have at least one full-time AT, and 19% of Ohio High Schools do not have any athletic training services. Younger youth sports do not typically have athletic training services, and often rely on coaches or parents in an emergency. Please advocate to the school board, administration, and athletic directors the importance of having AT on the sidelines of games and full-time.
References
Kid’s sports injuries: The numbers are impressive. (n.d.). Nationwide Children’s Hospital. https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/specialties/sports-medicine/sports-medicine-articles/kids-sports-injuries-the-numbers-are-impressive#:~:text=Approximately%20three%20million%20youth%20are,sports%20medicine%20clinic%20for%20injuries
The risks high school athletes face when there is a lack of athletic trainers. (2019, December). Ohio Athletic Trainers’ Association. https://oata.org/articles/the_risks_hs_athletes_face_without_AT#:~:text=According%20to%20ATLAS%2C%20of%20the,athletic%20training%20services%20at%20all
Study finds that student athlete safety is not a priority in high schools across the United States. (2019, November 21). National Athletic Trainer Association. https://www.nata.org/press-release/112119/study-finds-student-athlete-safety-not-priority-high-schools-across-united
Who are athletic trainers? (n.d.). Athletic Trainers: What they do and where they work. https://www.atyourownrisk.org/who-are-athletic-trainers
Photo Credits:
Ohio State University Athletic Trainers with football player by Ohio State University Athletic Training Program
Athletic Trainer taping student athlete by Laura Halladay
Written by: Laura Halladay, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Greene County
Reviewed by: Kathy Tutt, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Clark County