Athletic Training Month

Athletic trainers are often found on the sidelines, ready to provide care when an athlete gets hurt. Their quick actions help players stay safe and get back in the game faster. They also work behind the scenes to prevent injuries before they happen.

March brings a change of seasons with (usually) milder weather and more daylight. This extra sunshine motivates many of us to spend time outdoors, be active, and renew our fitness goals. With increased physical activity, however, often comes a rise in injuries. It’s fitting, then, that March is recognized as National Athletic Training Month – a time to appreciate the professionals who help prevent and treat sports-related injuries.

Who Are Athletic Trainers?

Athletic trainers are healthcare professionals who collaborate with physicians on the prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries that are the result of physical activity. The American Medical Association recognizes athletic trainers as allied healthcare providers in the field of sports medicine. To be certified, athletic trainers must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited program and pass a national competency exam administered by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification. Certified athletic trainers must also be licensed in the state of Wisconsin.

What Do Athletic Trainers Do?

A Fort HealthCare athletic trainer assists a student athlete with stretches in the training room. Athletic trainers also provide coverage at games to offer immediate care for injuries. Athletic trainers play a crucial role both behind the scenes and on the front lines of care. In the training room, they focus on injury prevention – teaching proper techniques, guiding exercises to build strength and flexibility, and helping athletes with rehabilitation programs. On the field, they are prepared to respond the moment an injury happens, providing first aid and deciding if further medical treatment is needed.

At Fort HealthCare, we bring these benefits directly to local student-athletes through our outreach program. We provide a dedicated athletic trainer at several Jefferson County high schools. This ensures students receive quality care during all home sports events and have weekly access to a trainer for injury evaluations and advice. The high schools we cover include:

• Cambridge High School
• Fort Atkinson High School
• Jefferson High School
• Lake Mills High School
• Lakeside Lutheran High School

In addition to supporting area athletes, Fort HealthCare athletic trainers serve our greater community at the Fort Atkinson Therapy & Sport Center with an array of services:

• Pre- and post-operative evaluation
• Bracing and footwear recommendations
• Strength, conditioning, and flexibility programs
• Performance enhancement programs
• And more

To provide quality healthcare close to home, Fort HealthCare Therapy & Sport has locations in Fort Atkinson, Whitewater, and Lake Mills. To learn more about the athletic training services available, call (920) 563-9357 or visit Athletic Training – Fort HealthCare.