A recent high school benchmark study published in the March Journal of Athletic Training reported that 37 percent of high schools in the United States have at least one full-time athletic trainer, thus meeting the standard of care recommended by the National Athletic Trainers' Association. For both the athletic trainer and coach, exceptional communication is a must. She lauded both Nebo and Provo School districts for recognizing the importance of having athletic trainers to be at the schools. This can be particularly difficult in high school/middle school setting where the ratio of athlete to athletic trainer is typically quite high. Others may be more interested in the research setting, work with surgical hardware representatives in the operating room, or even work to prevent injuries in a large manual labor setting. 9:14 – Mike talks about why it’s so important for schools to invest in an athletic trainer. ABSTRACT Purpose: Secondary school student-athletes often lack appropriate medical care during school sponsored sport participation. The argument for athletic trainers is not new. In 1998, the American Medical Association's Council on Scientific Affairs presented a report stating that "team physicians and coaches should have the assistance of a certified athletic trainer." Athletic trainers at smaller schools or colleges may care for all of the sports at that particular school and may be responsible for every student athlete. About the Author. Cynthia LaBella, MD, FAAP and colleagues compared injury rates of high school girls’ soccer and basketball at schools with and without athletic trainers. 15:38 – Mike explains the role of an athletic trainer in the recovery of an athlete. Learn how you can get an athletic trainer funded at your school and read a whitepaper on the efficacy of ATs in Arkansas high schools. 10:54 – Mike discusses the difficulty in getting athletic trainers for every school. Influencing Factors and Rationale for the Use of Athletic Trainers in Secondary School Athletic Programs. The Importance of Certified Athletic Trainers. ... Work settings for an athletic trainer typically include high schools, colleges, universities, professional sports teams, hospitals, physical therapy clinic, physicians’ offices, corporate and industrial institutions, performing arts, and the military. Last year a bill was introduced in West Virginia to require athletic trainers in all high schools… The WVATA says only about 30 to 35 of the state’s high schools have a full time athletic trainer. While government officials continue to work on how to resume high school sports for the fall season, high school athletic trainers have seen their roles shift during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these benefits, less than 40% of high schools have a full time AT. Survey data unveiled Tuesday to show jump from previous 40%25 of high schools with athletic trainers; Role of athletic trainer has drastically changed in … Compounding this issue, the athletic trainer may not see a particular coach every day. 16:36 – Mike … Dale Grooms, ATC has served as the head athletic trainer at New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois since 2000. Even then, they may be responsible for up to six sports in one season. A study presented at the 2012 American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition provided evidence that athletic trainers can be crucial in high school sports. Athletic trainers (ATs) are qualified healthcare professionals that can fill this need.