What You Can Expect From an Athletic Trainer During Football Season

Athletic trainers work in a specialized area of sports medicine. You might notice them on the sidelines of a college or professional football game. They are also present for practices and camps. During college, students majoring in athletic training even get first-hand experience working with elite athletes to hone their skills.

Thanks to their unique training, athletic trainers are qualified to diagnose and treat many injuries and develop recovery plans with athletes. If you’re an athlete who’s curious about what else you can expect from an athletic trainer during football season, here’s a quick overview of their role and why they’re such an important part of optimizing your team’s safety and performance.

 
Injury Prevention Support

Athletic trainers work incredibly hard to ensure athletes at their college or university stay safe during practices, games, and camps. They are the first line of defense to help prevent everything from minor sprains to significant head and neck injuries, as well as conditions like heat stroke. They also work with individual athletes to improve and preserve their overall wellness. Athletic trainers provide injury prevention by:

• Assessing and screening athletes for injuries and risk
• Designing training and conditioning programs to improve flexibility and strength
• Recommending knee, ankle, and arm brace or sleeve options to help stabilize joints

Arm Brace

• Analyzing environmental factors that may impact athletes
• Educating athletes, coaches, and supporters about injury risk factors
• Providing referrals to specialists for athletes when they need further medical consultations

Emergency First Aid and Care

Athletic trainers also administer emergency first aid during practices and games. They are trained and certified to administer emergency first aid with action plans that correspond to specific injuries. Athletic trainers are also responsible for ensuring emergency equipment is maintained correctly and always available during practices and games. When your team needs immediate attention, you can rely on an athletic trainer for:

• Quick assessments of injuries to determine necessary medical attention
• Evaluation of level of consciousness and injury severity in athletes
• Emergency action plans for head and neck injuries, heat stroke, asthma, and cardiac arrest, among other injuries, before transport to a hospital
• Communicating the nature of an injury to other involved medical healthcare professionals

Equipment Evaluation

Football players use lots of equipment before, during, and after a game or practice. An athletic trainer makes sure everything meets accredited safety standards to maintain safety. Proper equipment maintenance, including helmets, pads, braces, rehab tools, and cold therapy tanks in the team facilities, is crucial. An athletic trainer’s equipment evaluation might also consist of:

• Meeting National Operating Committee Standards on Athletic Equipment
• Meeting the American Society for Testing and Materials standards
• Keeping the facility and field free of hazards
• Ensuring equipment is fitted correctly for each athlete
• Recertifying and getting approval for equipment as needed

Rehabilitation Programs

Athletic trainers are always working behind the scenes, but they also play a direct role in creating rehabilitation and treatment plans for athletes. Minor injuries may only need an athletic trainer’s assessment and treatment plan, but more severe injuries can involve multiple medical professionals and healthcare experts working together. Athletic trainers can be by an athlete’s side through the entire process. In the event of an injury, your athletic trainer can:

• Design rehabilitation plans
• Connect athletes with specialists when further assessment is needed
• Administer basic therapies like massages, joint mobilization, and more
• Administer a range of motion therapies and stretches
• Plan exercises for strength, endurance, balance, coordination, and cardio wellness
• Recommend, fit, and apply an ankle, arm, knee, shoulder, or leg brace as an athlete returns to practice and game action

Athletic trainers are always ready to offer support throughout football season. As an athlete, you should always feel like you can reach out to them for suggestions, whether you’re interested in wearing an ankle brace during your next game or want to tailor your recovery routine to your position.

About DonJoy®

Whether you’re pushing yourself to the limit in an intense training session or competing at the highest level, DonJoy® is here to support your performance. This trusted brand designs and develops sports braces and rehabilitation products to help you feel strong and stable on the court or field. DonJoy® was founded by a professional football player, so they know what it takes to keep you at the top of your game. That’s why medical professionals recommend their products to elite athletes who play football, tennis, and many other sports. For anyone who lives an active lifestyle, the right product can be crucial for keeping your body in top condition, reducing feelings of discomfort, and working toward recovery in the event of an injury. Need support you can count on? DonJoy® has your back.

Explore a collection of medically recommended sports braces and rehab products at https://www.donjoystore.com/