What Is the Definition of an Athletic Trainer?

Athletic trainers are health care providers certified to diagnose, treat and prevent injuries. Athletic trainers work with both professional athletes and every day athletes.

  1. Function

    • Not to be confused with a personal trainer, athletic trainers job duties include treating, preventing and diagnosing chronic and acute injuries. They also work directly with health professionals and physicians to insure patients receive proper care.

    Training and Education

    • A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement for an athletic trainer. The National Athletic Trainers Association states that about 68 percent of athletic trainers have a master's or doctoral degree. Teaching and higher education degrees are often needed when working at a high school or college.

    Certifications

    • As of 2006, 46 states required all athletic trainers to be be licensed, requiring certification from the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC). To keep their certification, trainers need to follow all BOC standards and continue to take classes to advance their knowledge in their field.

    Areas of Expertise

    • Athletic trainers are experts in the areas of human anatomy, nutrition, biomechanics and the design of rehabilitation and workout programs.

    Employment

    • Employment opportunities range from the high school, college and professional athletics to physicians offices and private practices.