National Athletic Training Month is held every March in order to spread awareness about the important work of athletic trainers. Athletic trainers (AT’s) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.
AT's provide medical services to all types of patients, not just athletes, participating in sports, and can work in a variety of job settings. They are trained to handle emergency injuries such as fractures, sprains/strains, concussions, heat stroke, asthma attack, sickle cell crisis, diabetic emergencies, spine injuries and sudden cardiac arrest.
The athletic training academic curriculum and clinical training follows the medical model. Athletic trainers must graduate from an accredited baccalaureate or master's program (70% of ATs have a master's degree) and must be certified by the Board of Certification (BOC).
The UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute recognizes the important role athletic trainers fill from educating players and coaches on how to prevent injuries to developing "return to play" strategies. AT's keep our athletes safe and get them back into the game quickly and safely following injuries and illnesses.
- Learn more about our Certified Athletic Trainers
- Learn more about AT's School Coverage