April 3, 2008

Jefferson City, Tenn. - March is national Athletic Training Month.

This year's theme is "Who's taking care of your kids?". 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.

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.

At C-N there are five full-time athletic trainers and several students who are studying to be athletic trainers. The student organization had a proclamation signed by the Jefferson City mayor in honor of Athletic Training month.