An athletic trainer works to prevent, treat, and rehabilitate injuries in athletes of all levels. If you're interested in learning what it takes to become an athletic trainer, read on! This page will help you learn how to become an athletic trainer.

An athletic trainer is a health professional who is the first line of care for athletes. They can work in high schools, colleges, or with professional sports teams. An athletic trainer shouldn't be confused with a personal trainer who focus on fitness, rather than delivering health care services.

An athletic trainer works under the direction of a physician to treat a specific group of athletes. The trainer gets to know each athlete as an individual, and works with coaches, athletic directors, parents, and the athletes to keep them in good shape. A certified athletic trainer has demonstrated their knowledge and skills in six practice areas:

• Clinical evaluation and diagnosis
• Immediate care
• Treatment, rehabilitation and reconditioning
• Organization and administration
• Professional responsibility

There are 350 colleges and universities in the United States that offer bachelors degree programs in athletic training. Most athletic trainers go on to receive a master's or doctoral degree. The basic educational courses in an athletic training undergraduate curricukum include:

• Human physiology
• Human anatomy
• Exercise physiology
• Kinesiology/biomechanics
• Nutrition
• Therapeutic modalities
• Acute care of injury and illness
• Statistics and research design
• Strength training and reconditioning

National certification for athletic trainers is governed by the National Athletic Trainers' Association. In order to be certified, a candidate must In order to attain certification, an individual must complete an athletic training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and pass the Board of Certification (BOC) certification exam.