Christian College Athletic Training

By Calli Wolfenden, Staff Writer
 

Athletic training is a medical profession that focuses on the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation for injuries or illnesses of athletes and other active individuals. While athletic trainers are not considered doctors, they do work closely with physicians and patients to find the best course of action toward complete healing. They provide services like diagnosing, wrapping, and treating injuries, first aid, emergency care, physical therapy, and rehabilitation work.

Getting an Athletic training degree from a Christian college will prepare students for a future of service and care towards those in need. It will equip them not only with an excellent education but also emotional and mental strength, rooted in Christ, who is the creator and healer. Those who choose to major in athletic training at a Christian college will be nurtured in their faith as they learn to follow in Christ’s footsteps, having empathy and the will to care and work towards the healing of others.

Some example career options for students who major in athletic training:

• Certified Athletic Trainer: A certified athletic trainer is a skilled healthcare professional who has passed the Board of Certification exam and specializes in preventing, treating, diagnosing, and rehabilitating athletes or other active individuals after they have suffered an injury or illness. They typically work under a physician and with a team of other medical professionals. Certified Athletic Trainers can be employed at schools, colleges, professional athletic teams, clinics, and more.
• Sport Medicine Clinics: Athletic trainers in a sports medicine clinic aid in diagnosing, treating, rehabilitating, and preventing musculoskeletal injuries in athletes or other active individuals. Their aim is to help the athlete return to regular activity in the safest and healthiest way possible. They often work with patients and doctors to develop injury prevention programs, rehabilitation strategies, and provide emergency care.
• Strength and Conditioning Coach: A strength and conditioning coach in the field of athletic training designs and implements strategies and workouts that are meant to bring athletes to peak physical condition while also reducing their risk of injury. They will often tailor the workout regimes to the athletes’ assessed strengths and weaknesses to bring about improvement and physical stability. Strength and conditioning coaches work closely with coaches, athletic trainers, and medical professionals to provide the best and safest possible practices for the benefit of the athlete(s).
• Occupational Health: An athletic trainer in the occupational health field specializes in treating, diagnosing, and preventing injuries in the workplace. They provide on-site care to employees, perform emergency care or first aid when needed, and they also design workplace wellness programs. In the occupational health field, athletic trainers aim to educate and care for employees, teaching them injury prevention strategies and proper ergonomics.
• Rehabilitation Specialist: A rehabilitation specialist focuses on the recovery side of treatment for injuries, surgeries, or illnesses. They assess the patient’s needs and come up with a personalized program that includes exercises, therapy, and some other lifestyle changes. A rehabilitation specialist aims to help the patient recover their functional abilities, regain their independence/mobility, and return to their regular activity.
• Education and Research: Education and research careers in Athletic training focus on preparing and advancing the future of the athletic training field. Careers in education teach students skills, knowledge, and best practices that they need to know to be certified and provide the best care. A career in research involves investigating things like injury prevention and rehab/treatment techniques in order to provide evidence-based improvements and best practices.
• Military and Law Enforcement Athletic Trainer: A Military or Law Enforcement Athletic Trainer specializes in the treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation of service members or officers who are injured in the line of duty. They also implement conditioning programs that improve fitness while also serve to aid in injury prevention. These athletic trainers also provide emergency care, design and manage personalized rehab programs, and play a key role in supporting the physical and mental health of members in these high-risk positions.
• Performing Arts Athletic Trainer: A performing arts athletic trainer specifically works with artists like dancers, musicians, and actors to keep them in peak physical condition or treat any injuries or strains they may receive from strenuous or repeated motions. They work in theaters, dance companies, music schools, and studios. Athletic trainers working with performers use their expertise to create personalized exercise and rehab programs, assess the injury risks, and provide on-site treatment to support the wellbeing of the performers.

There are no recorded success rates for graduates who major in athletic training, however with an expected growth rate of 17% in the field over the next seven years, there is a lot of opportunity. Athletic trainers play a key role in not just athletics, but in any physically demanding environment, including law enforcement, military, and even performing arts. With the increase in awareness of the benefit that athletic trainers provide, there is a lot of potential for graduates with an athletic training degree to begin their career right out of college.

That said, there are some key aspects that contribute to succeeding as an athletic trainer. The first is getting the proper certification. Getting an athletic training degree from an accredited university is only half of the qualification, graduates must also pass the Board of Certification (BOC) Exam to become a certified athletic trainer. Certification is absolutely necessary for a successful career as an athletic trainer. Many who major in athletic training opt to further their education with a master’s or doctoral degree in a related field. While that may increase job opportunities and add to the resume, it is not essential for a career in Athletic training. However, continued education within the profession itself, as in staying up to date on the latest technologies and best practices, is necessary. A commitment to continued learning in that way is vital.

Networking is also an important part of any successful career, athletic training being no exception. Begin networking while still in college by going to job fairs, getting internships, or building connections through your college. Having a solid network is essential for advancing your career. Having contacts in related industries helps gain referrals and build partnerships between clinics, clients, and doctors.

The average salary for an athletic training degree is right around $57,900. For the best chance of landing an entry-level position out of college in the field of athletic training, focus on starting internships in the field while still in college and gaining experience before you graduate. Typical entry level positions in Athletic Training usually require around 1-4 years of experience.

Athletic trainers develop many professional skills that make them quite an asset, but more than just the work they do with their hands, the characteristics that make an athletic trainer great are desirable in any environment. The qualities of an amazing athletic trainer are empathy, compassion, patience, great communication and teamwork skills, and attention to detail.

Dealing with people, especially people who are frustrated and in pain, takes a lot of mental and emotional strength. Athletic directors need to be able to keep composed in emergencies and in the face of patient struggles while still being considerate of the feelings they have. This kind of focus and interpersonal skill combined with their medical expertise makes athletic trainers valuable in any number of settings, ministry included.

Works Cited: 

• “Athletic Trainers.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/athletic-trainers.htm.

By Calli Wolfenden, Staff Writer
 

At its core, athletic training is about healing and helping others. That principle has obvious implications to ministry and church, as we are called to serve God and our neighbor.

1 Peter 4:10
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

If we know that healing is a spiritual gift, as is service, then we know that those who have been blessed with the ability to care for others and serve them in this way should do so, honoring God with their gifts. What better way to honor God with these gifts that to use them in ministry?

An athletic training degree can have many benefits in a ministry setting. Many churches and ministries have a sports league or host sports camps as a form of outreach and community engagement. An athletic trainer in this setting can provide aid and care for any injuries sustained and give perspective to attendees on how to best care for their bodies. This reflects consideration and care on the part of the ministry. Having an athletic trainer join in on youth ministries is also a great way to teach kids healthy and safe activities and promote healthy lifestyles, so as to protect our bodily temple that the Lord has given us.

Mission trips and disaster relief are another area where an athletic training degree shines. Athletic trainers can help provide medical assistance and treatment on mission trips, especially ones that involve sports or manual labor. Disaster relief ministry trips, especially, benefit from the medical and treatment expertise that an athletic trainer brings. Being able to provide first aid and injury care to those affected by a disaster while ministering to them reflects the love of Christ and His compassion. Athletic training is a powerful and effective tool that can be used in both ministry and the Church.

Getting a degree in athletic training is committing to the service and care of others, be that in a clinic, high school or college, police department, or on the streets of a storm-wrecked city. Wherever athletic trainers are, they are a blessing. If you are empathetic, focused, and concerned with the welfare of others, then getting a degree in athletic training could be a perfect match for you.