sports

Welcome to the University of Utah Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP)

What is Athletic Training?

Athletic training is practiced by athletic trainers, health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to optimize activity and participation of patients and clients. Athletic training encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and intervention of emergency, acute, and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities.1

What is an Athletic Trainer (ATC)?

ATC is an acronym for Certified Athletic Trainer. Certified athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in preventing, recognizing, managing and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity.  As part of a complete health care team, the certified athletic trainer works under the direction of a licensed physician and in cooperation with other health care professionals, athletics administrators, coaches and parents.2

Students who want to become certified athletic trainers must earn a degree from an accredited athletic training curriculum.  Accredited programs include formal instruction in areas such as injury/illness prevention, first aid and emergency care, assessment of injury/illness, human anatomy and physiology, therapeutic modalities, and nutrition.  Classroom learning is enhanced through clinical education experiences.  More than 70 percent of certified athletic trainers hold at least a master’s degree.2

To become certified athletic trainers, students must pass a comprehensive test administered by the Board of Certification.  Once certified, they must meet ongoing continuing education requirements in order to remain certified.2

Certified athletic trainers can be found almost anywhere people are physically active. The following are some of the various work settings which athletic trainers are employed; secondary schools, colleges and universities, professional sports, hospitals, clinics, physician offices, sports medicine clinics, military and law enforcement, industrial and commercial, and performing arts.3

References:

  1. Retrieved on December 10, 2007 from http://www.nata.org/about_AT/terminology.htm Definition of Athletic Training (approved by NATA Board of Directors in October, 2007)
  2. Retrieved on December 10, 2007 from http://www.nata.org/about_AT/whatisat.htm 
  3. Retrieved on December 10, 2007 from http://www.nata.org/about_AT/worksettings.htm