Athletic Training Resources The Athletic Trainer: Putting the athlete first Why should a school or organization invest in a certified athletic trainer? A MSM athletic trainer (AT) is integral to improving health outcomes for youth athletes. Sports injuries can be serious. Brain and spinal cord injuries, and conditions such as heat stroke, can be life-threatening if not recognized early and properly managed. Having on-site ATs who work with youth athletes is invaluable. ATs also support youth athletes and emphasize the importance of the child’s continued focus on managing other chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and asthma, allowing safe participation in sports. Certified ATs offer athletes unparalleled support in preventing, treating and rehabilitating sports injuries and medical conditions. It is difficult to imagine an optimal sports medicine care team functioning without the involvement of athletic trainers. ATs interact daily with athletes and are well trained in acute injury and illness evaluation and management. They help to coordinate care by the athlete’s chosen clinicians when needed and work closely with volunteer team physicians to provide comprehensive sideline care for athletes. In seventeen schools in western North Carolina, ATs work with coaching staffs to ensure the highest degree of safety and care in preventing and treating sports injuries. Certified Athletic Trainers: Certified athletic trainers (ATs) offer athletes access to an unparalleled continuum of care and are well trained in acute injury and illness, evaluation and management. They serve as a liaison to the Mission Sports Medicine team of physicians, bringing their knowledge of each athlete's history to bear in ensuring the highest level of care. They are not personal trainers who focus solely on fitness and conditioning, but rather athletic trainers work directly with coaching staffs to ensure the highest degree of safety in preventing and treating all types of sports injuries. Our sports medicine school outreach model is similar to a Division I athletic program, which means student athletes have access to advanced, comprehensive services not found in most secondary schools. Comprehensive medical coverage and services: On-site injury prevention and sports performance care through a dedicated certified athletic trainer On-site injury evaluation, consultation and treatment with a board certified sports medicine physician Board certified sports medicine physicians on the sidelines Same-day office appointments with fellowship-trained sports medicine physicians, when needed Concussion management and return-to-play guidance Educational outreach, sharing best practices and emerging care Athletes’ injuries are managed on the sidelines so they stayed connected to the teams they support and eliminate the need for office and physical therapy visits, thereby decreasing costs and keeping students in school.