THE HEALTHY ELK

March is National Athletic Training Month

Submitted by Stephanie Clark, athletic trainer at Elk Valley Physical Therapy and Herbert Hoover High School. She graduated in 2014 with a master's degree in Athletic Training from West Virginia Wesleyan College. In 2017, Stephanie was awarded West Virginia Athletic Trainer of the Year by the West Virginia Athletic Trainers' Association.

March is National Athletic Training Month and with life-saving strategies used by Athletic Trainers (ATs) and other parts of the medical team in the NFL for Buffalo Bill’s defensive back Damar Hamlin, the profession has recently been in the spotlight. However, many people may not be aware of what an athletic trainer is or what they are responsible for in their work day.

The National Athletic Trainers’ Association defines athletic trainers as “highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who render service or treatment, under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their education, training and the state’s statutes, rules and regulations.

As a part of the health care team, services provided by athletic trainers include primary care, injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergency care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.” ATs have a large skill set but tend to specialize in orthopedics, emergency situations, and concussion diagnosis and management.

To become an athletic trainer one must graduate from an accredited program and pass a national board of certification exam. More than 70% of ATs have a master’s degree and as of 2022 all new program students are required to receive a master’s degree to sit for the board exam. In West Virginia and most other states, ATs have to be licensed to practice their profession. As a national standard, ATs must also be CPR/AED certified and complete 50 hours of continuing education every two years. Most athletic trainers are found on the sidelines of sporting events but can also be found in the military, performing arts, and industrial settings.

The risk of injury is inherent in sports but the benefits typically outweigh the risks. It is important for young athletes, parents, and community members to understand the risks of sport and take steps to reduce the risk. Athletic trainers play a critical role in providing a safer approach to sports.

Athletic trainers work with their community to make sports as safe as possible and allow youth to reap the many benefits that come with sports. Fortunately, our area athletes have access to an AT either during practice, games, or the free injury screen provided by Elk Valley Physical Therapy. The free screen is provided to any area athlete, K-12, who has not been evaluated.

This can help prevent a long wait at the ER for sprains and strains and has often gotten athletes back in the game sooner and safely. EVPT can perform the screen as soon as possible, usually the same day as the injury occurs, and begin treatment for the injury just as quickly. If you have an athlete who is injured, give Elk Valley Physical Therapy a call!