What Do Athletic Trainers Do?

Athletic training is a constantly evolving healthcare field, making use of new technology and medical advancements to help people reach their health and fitness goals in the realm of sports, strength training and so much more.

Kickstart your career sooner by earning your master’s degree in athletic training through Pacific’s 3:2 Kinesiology pathway. Graduate in just five years with robust clinical experience and expert instruction. 

Playing a crucial role in lifelong fitness, certified athletic trainers work alongside teams of healthcare professionals on everything from injury rehab to conditioning program design.

Due to their generalist training in kinesiology, anatomy and rehabilitation, athletic trainers have the opportunity to help anyone perform their best and recover quickly from injury.

Job growth for those with experience in athletic training is high, with expected demand for athletic trainers exceeding all other technical healthcare careers over the next decade. 

If helping others perform at their very best through injury prevention, strength training and recovery education aligns with your interests, you can turn those passions into purpose with a career in athletic training.

But exactly what does an athletic trainer do, where do they work and who can they help?

Join us as we discover what it means to have a rewarding career in athletic training and how it connects to the wider world of professional healthcare. 

ATHLETIC TRAINING GUARANTEED GRAD ADMISSIONS

What Does an Athletic Trainer Do? 

Highly-skilled and versatile from their clinical training, athletic trainers can address a wide variety of patient needs using a robust knowledge of how the body works and how it best heals.

But certified athletic trainers do so much more than simply treat injury, as the scope of their practice extends to a variety of people and places.

An athletic training career means playing a pivotal role in:

• Ensuring long-term health. Athletic trainers work not only to maintain, but also enhance the health of their patients to ensure a high quality of life.

  For whole-body health, athletic trainers will frequently work with physical therapists, physicians and surgeons to address issues from every angle.

• Preventing injury. When not rehabbing existing injuries, athletic trainers develop strategies to avoid injury during repetitive or strenuous activity that could lead to further treatment.

  This involves a thorough understanding of kinesiology — the study of body movement — and how it relates to effective prevention of chronic and short-term injury.

• Health education. Advocates for healthy lifestyle choices — everything from “lift with your legs” to eating a balanced diet — athletic trainers are as much educators as anything else.

  While specialization is common, many athletic trainers are generalists, meaning that everyone from teenagers to senior citizens can benefit from their expertise.

• Rehabilitation. One of the core concepts taught during an athletic training degree program is how to rehab injuries quickly and safely.

  Whether your job has you moving boxes or your passion is running marathons, certified athletic trainers can help you recover and get back on your feet.  

• Strength training. Injury prevention and recovery can both be enhanced by strength training and conditioning, with no exercise being too small to matter.

  Athletic trainers know exactly which exercises target certain muscle groups, building strength from the large area in your back to the fine movements in your fingers.

What is the Difference Between Athletic Training and Sports Medicine?

Sports medicine is an umbrella term that includes athletic training and other healthcare careers that serve active populations.

Some healthcare professions that practice sports medicine require advanced education beyond what is required for athletic training certification.

Importantly, in order to become a certified athletic trainer, you are not required to attend medical school, with the master’s degree seen as an entry point into the career. Athletic trainers are not medical doctors.

This means that, for those interested in athletic training, getting started in your career is a much faster process.

While the scope of each role is different, athletic trainers and other healthcare professionals frequently work together to create treatment plans for patients.

Accelerated programs — like Pacific’s 3:2 athletic training program — can be used as a way to prepare for subsequent medical training, and those with a degree in athletic training can take their knowledge to the next level through continuing education. 

Who Do Athletic Trainers Help?

Despite what their name implies, athletic trainers make a difference in the lives of far more than just professional athletes.

Anyone within an active population can benefit from the guidance of an athletic trainer, especially when it comes to preventing injury. 

In the world of sport, athletic trainers are experienced at helping recreational, amateur and professional athletes. Whether gearing up for a local 5K or preparing for the Olympics, athletic trainers can help.

For those who just want to gain greater strength through conditioning, athletic trainers can help as well, developing exercise plans that can help enhance mobility and improve overall health.

From those looking to get more out of a routine workout to those wanting to improve hand-eye coordination, athletic trainers use their education in kinesiology and anatomy to help people achieve varied goals.

Where Do Athletic Trainers Work?

Due to their generalist training, athletic trainers can work in a broad range of settings, all of which make use of their skills to help others achieve their fitness or recovery goals.

Athletic trainers can often be found in:

• Athletic training facilities. Specializing in preventative training, rehabilitative care and general conditioning, these dedicated facilities focus on helping people make the most of their fitness.

• Schools. Supporting both athletes and the general student body through education at all levels, athletic trainers advocate for healthy lifestyles in and out of the classroom.

• Industrial settings. In everything from healthcare to construction to the military, athletic trainers can help those with physically demanding jobs avoid injury through proper training.

• Professional sports franchises. Tasked with helping professional athletes compete at the highest level, athletic trainers help formulate exercise and fitness plans as well as treat acute injuries.

• Clinics and hospitals. While less common than physical therapists, athletic trainers have a place in healthcare settings, especially with regard to rehab and injury prevention.

How Much Do Athletic Trainers Make?

The average athletic trainer salary sits around $58,000, with room for growth as your career progresses.

The flexibility of a degree in athletic training means that, as you gain new skills or specializations, you can establish yourself in new settings and fields with the opportunity to make more money.

Athletic trainers who pursue advanced healthcare training in fields such physical therapy or medicine can earn substantially more, all while still focusing their passions on athletic training.

You have a plan for your future, and we’re here to help you achieve it. Learn more about Guaranteed Grad School Admission.

PACIFIC PRIORITY