Sports Medicine Unit #1 Sports Medicine, The Sports Medicine Team and Their Roles

Sports MedicineSports Medicine

Unit #1Sports Medicine,

The Sports Medicine Team and Their Roles

A Brief History of A Brief History of Sports MedicineSports Medicine

Sports medicine & Athletic Training dates back to ancient Rome

The first “athletic trainers” were actually physicians who worked with the gladiators– The most famous of these ancient “trainers”

was Herodicus of Megara, who is perhaps more famous for being the teacher of Hippocrates who is considered to be the father of modern medicine


– When the Roman Empire fell, interest in athletics declined and athletic training did not again emerge in history until the early 20th Century with the development of collegiate and professional athletic teams in the United States

– Many of the early athletic trainers were also the team managers, who happened to have an interest in medicine. Many of these people were “self taught” and are responsible for many of the athletic training techniques still used today.


– Today athletic trainers are not the “jack of all trades” individuals that founded the profession, but rather highly trained professionals with a wide variety of specialized skills

– Today, the Certified Athletic Trainer plays a vital role in the daily health care of high school, collegiate, world class amateur, and professional athletes

What is Sports Medicine?What is Sports Medicine?




The term “sports medicine” means different things to different groups

Sports medicine encompasses many specialized areas related to sports

Athletic Training is just one of those

Can you think of some others?

Sports Medicine OrganizationsSports Medicine Organizations

A number of professional organizations are dedicated to sports medicine and athletic training


Professional organizations have many goals:1. To upgrade the field by devising and maintaining

professional standards, including a Code of Ethics

**Critical Thought….What is a Code of Ethics?

2. To bring together professionally competent individuals to exchange ideas, stimulate research, and promote critical thought

3. To give individuals an opportunity to work as a group towards a single professional goal or purpose that they would not likely achieve as an individual


Many of the national organizations interested in athletic health care and athlete safety have state and local associations that are extensions of the larger body

National, state, and local sports organizations have all provided support for the reduction of illness/injury risk to athletes

The Players on the The Players on the Sports Medicine TeamSports Medicine Team

The primary athletic training team consists of the coach, the athletic trainer, and the team physician

The major concern of everyone on this team should be the health and welfare of the athlete

The physician always has the final decision regarding the health care of athletes. The athletic trainer works in cooperation with the physician in making these decisions and caring for injuries/illnesses. The coach should always defer and support the medical staff in matters of athletic health care.


The coach should have role in the decisions that are made, however it needs to be made at the appropriate level.

There may be particular drills or activities that an athlete should be doing in the course of recovering from an injury that coaches should assist with.

Likewise, communication is vital between the coach and medical staff to insure everyone is always on the same page


Another important part of the sports medicine team at the secondary school level is the athlete’s family– ATCs must always be sure to keep parents

informed of injuries suffered by their children

– ATCs must also accept the fact that parents may insist on having their children examined by physicians other than the school’s team physicians

Responsibilities of the CoachResponsibilities of the Coach

The coach is directly responsible for preventing injuries by ensuring that athletes have undergone a preventative injury conditioning program

Coaches must also ensure that all sports equipment is in good condition, proper working order, and safe to use

They must ensure that the facilities are safe and free of anything that could cause an injury.

Responsibilities of the CoachResponsibilities of the CoachAll coaches should be certified in CPR and

First Aid.They should have a thorough knowledge or

proper training and skill techniques for the sport they are coaching

Finally, coaches and the athletic trainer need to communicate and develop an understanding and awareness of each other’s responsibilities and difficulties in doing their jobs in order to function effectively

Roles and Responsibilities Roles and Responsibilities of the ATCof the ATC

Of all the professionals charged with injury prevention and health care of athletes, perhaps none is more intimately involved in with the athlete than the athletic trainer.

The athletic trainer most often deals with the athlete from the moment of injury, through initial (acute care) and follow-up care, rehab, and finally return to play


The ATC is most directly responsible for all phases of health care in the athletic environment. Their responsibilities include:– Preventing injuries– Providing initial first aid and injury

management– Evaluating injuries– Designing and implementing timely rehab

programs that can return an athlete to participation


ATCs are employed in the following settings:– Public and private schools– Colleges and universities– Professional athletic teams– Sports Medicine/Physical Therapy clinics– Corporations and industry– Theater and dance companies


Qualifications for an ATC– The ATC must be knowledgeable and

competent in a variety of sports medicine specialties if he or she is to be effective in doing their job

– The NATA has established specific requirements that must be met for an individual to become an ATC, including specific academic and clinical course work

– All ATCs take and pass the NATA BOC national certification examination


The major roles and responsibilities of the athletic trainer include…– Athletic injury prevention/risk management

– Recognition, evaluation, and assessment of injuries

– Immediate care of injuries and illnesses

– Rehabilitation of injuries

– Health care organization and administration

– Professional development and responsibility

Injury Prevention and Injury Prevention and Risk ManagementRisk Management

This responsibility includes…– Ensuring appropriate training and

conditioning techniques– Monitoring the playing environment– Ensuring properly fitted equipment and

maintained protective equipment– Explaining the importance of proper

nutrition– Using medications appropriately

Recognition, Evaluation, and Recognition, Evaluation, and Assessment of InjuriesAssessment of Injuries

This responsibility includes…– Coordinating and conducting pre-participation

physicals and screenings

– Informing athletes, parents, coaches of the inherent risks of participation in certain sports

– Being able to recognize the signs, symptoms, and causations of injuries and illnesses and determine appropriate courses of action

Immediate Care of Immediate Care of Injuries/IllnessesInjuries/Illnesses

This responsibility includes…– Having the knowledge to provide

appropriate initial and follow-up care for injuries/illnesses both on the sidelines and in the training room

– Having appropriate certifications in CPR, First Aid, and depending on location – training in advanced emergency medicine

Treatment and RehabilitationTreatment and Rehabilitation

This responsibility includes…– Working closely with the physician to design

and carry out appropriate treatment and rehab protocols for injuries

– Having a knowledge of therapeutic modalities, rehab equipment, and rehab techniques

– Working closely with other allied health professionals like physical therapists or strength and conditioning coaches to carry out rehab plans.

Health Care Organization Health Care Organization and Administrationand Administration

This responsibility includes…– The organization and administration of the

athletic training program including… Maintenance of athletic health records Requisition and inventory of supplies Submission of insurance information Supervision of assistant ATCs, student

athletic trainers Establishment of appropriate policies and

procedures

Professional Development Professional Development and Responsibilityand Responsibility

This responsibility includes…– Education of the general public, including

other medical providers, about the role of the ATC as an allied health care provider

– Acting at all times with the highest standards of conduct and integrity, following the NATA’s Code of Ethics Failure to do so may result in loss of

certification

Responsibilities of the Responsibilities of the Team PhysicianTeam Physician

The ATC works primarily under the supervision of the team physician

The team physician is ultimately responsible for directing the total health care of the athlete

In cooperation with the team physician, the ATC makes decisions that have a direct effect on the athlete who has sustained an injury

Responsibilities of the Responsibilities of the Team PhysicianTeam Physician

The primary responsibilities of the team physician include…– Compiling medical histories and assisting with

pre-participation physicals– Diagnosing athletic injuries referred from the

ATC– Deciding on disqualifications– Attending practices and games– Commitment to the athletic program they serve

Other Members of the Other Members of the Sports Medicine TeamSports Medicine Team

A number of support health services may be used by a sports medicine program.

These allied health professionals may include the following…

The School NurseThe School Nurse

Often in public or private schools the school nurse assists the ATC with the health care of student-athletes during the school day

Physician SpecialistsPhysician Specialists

Orthopedist Neurologist Internist Ophthalmologist Pediatrician Psychiatrist Dentist Podiatrist Chiropractor

Physician AssistantsPhysician Assistants

Assist physicians with various aspects of patient care

Many ATCs have become PA’s in recent years

Strength & Conditioning CoachStrength & Conditioning Coach

Many colleges and high schools now employ full-time certified strength coaches

Athletic trainers often work closely with these individuals to design appropriate training programs for athletes

Sports PsychologistSports Psychologist

Advises the ATC on matters related to the psychological aspects of the injury and rehab process

Also may be helpful in dealing with other psychological issues such as eating disorders and weight control

Exercise PhysiologistsExercise Physiologists

Often assist the ATC with such things as body composition analysis, training techniques, and nutritional issues

NutritionistsNutritionists

Some larger athletic training programs now have nutritionists that work with them in planning eating programs for athletic teams and individual athletes

Equipment PersonnelEquipment Personnel

Many schools and colleges now employ full or part-time individuals who specialize in the proper fitting and maintenance of athletic equipment

They work closely with the coaching staff and sports medicine staff to insure player safety

Referees and OfficialsReferees and Officials

Must be highly knowledgeable regarding the rules and regulations of the sports they officiate

Responsible for checking the playing facility and players to ensure no one will be predisposed to injury

Summing up…Summing up…

Sports medicine team consists of whom?– Coach, ATC, Team Physician

Primary responsibility of the coach?– Insuring safe environment and equipment

Primary responsibility of Athletic Trainer?– Prevention, care, and rehab of injuries

Primary responsibility of Team Physician?– PPE’s, diagnosis & treatment, working closing with

supervising the athletic trainer

References & ResourcesReferences & Resources American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and

Injured – 8th Edition, Jones & Bartlett Publishers, 2002. Anderson, Marcia, & Susan J. Hall, Fundamentals of Sports Injury Management. 1997. Arnheim, Daniel D., & William E. Prentice, Essentials of Athletic Training – 5th Edition, McGraw-Hill,

2002. Arnheim, Daniel D., & William E. Prentice, Modern Principles of Athletic Training, McGraw-Hill, 2000. Cartwright, Lorin A., & William A. Pitney, Athletic Training for Student Assistants, Human Kinetics,

1999. Kapit, Wynn, & Lawrence M. Elson, The Anatomy Coloring Book, Harper-Collins Publishers, 1977. Mistovich, Joseph J., Brent Q. Hafen, Keith J. Karren, & Howard A. Werman, Pre-hospital Emergency

Care, 1999. Pfeiffer, Ronald P., & Brent C. Mangus, Concepts of Athletic Training – 2nd Edition, Times

Mirror/Mosby College Publishing, 1989. Roy, Steven, Richard Irvin, & Duane Iverson, Sports Medicine: Prevention, Evaluation, Management,

and Rehabilitation of Athletic Injuries – 2nd Edition, Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1998.

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (www.aaos.org) American College of Sports Medicine (www.acsm.org) National Athletic Trainers’ Association (www.nata.org)

http://www.aaos.org/

http://www.acsm.org/

http://www.nata.org/

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Sports Medicine Unit #1 Sports Medicine, The Sports Medicine Team and Their Roles