March is National Athletic Training month and students and staff are using this as an opportunity to inform people about athletic training. 

“Two of our major goals for this month are to inform people about what athletic training is and to bring attention to our students and the educational role at the University,” said Barrie Steele, Director of Athletic Training Services at the University of Idaho.

Athletic trainers are not personal trainers, they are healthcare professionals. Athletic trainers work side-by-side with other healthcare professionals and care for the student-athletes. Although they do tape ankles, distribute water and provide basic first aid, they also do so much more. The roles of athletic trainers include emergency response, injury evaluation, rehabilitation techniques, and the psychological/psychosocial impact of an injury.

Athletic trainers are not limited to just universities and athletic teams. Athletic trainers are also involved in the military, NASA and other corporations.  

“Any place where people are being physically trained for a physical activity, Athletic Trainers can be a vital position,” Steele said.  

Becoming an athletic trainer is no easy task. It requires years of schooling in a nationally regulated curriculum, a few years in a graduate program, and a pass on the national exam to earn a license. Once licensed, an individual can practice athletic training as a regulated healthcare profession.

Being a student worker at the University of Idaho has major benefits.

“They can apply what they learn in the classroom to real life,” Steele said. “They are in here working with the athletes and it gives them a real-hands on experience.”

For more information about athletic training and Athletic Training Month visit www.nata.org.