Chapter 1: Fitness Professionals, Coaches, and the Sports Medicine Team: Defining Roles

1. Chapter 1: Fitness Professionals, Coaches, and the Sports Medicine Team: Defining Roles

2. Growing demand for well-educated, professionally trained personnel to supervise and oversee recreational sport and physical activity • Coaches • Fitness professionals • Recreation specialists • Athletic administrators • Others interested in various aspects of exercise and sports science

3. Injury is a part of athletics • Athletes have a right to expect that those that are overseeing their particular view their health and safety as a priority • Critical to have individuals that are aware of both treatment and prevention • Should be able to recognize injury, provide basic medical assistance and refer injured individual to appropriate medical personnel • Well-trained professionals are not always healthcare professionals and may be in violation if they attempt to provide treatment and care

4. What Is Sports Medicine ?

5. Sports medicine refers to a broad field of medical practices related to physical activity and sport • Defined by American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as multidisciplinary • Includes physiological, biomechanical, psychological and pathological phenomena associated with exercise and sport • Clinical application in these areas is aimed at improving and maintaining functional capacities for physical labor and support • Sports medicines generally focuses on areas of performance enhancement, injury care and prevention,

6. Sports Medicine Human Performance Injury Management Exercise Physiology Practice of Medicine Biomechanics Sports Physical Therapy Sport Psychology Athletic Training Sports Nutrition Sports Massage

7. The Players on the Sports Medicine Team

8. Provision of healthcare requires a group effort to be most effective • Involves a number of individuals • Each member of the team must perform specific functions relative to caring for the injured athlete

9. How does the Fitness Professional Relate to the Sports Medicine Team? • Focus of the group is on improving performance • Argument can be made that by an athlete achieving a higher level of fitness, injuries are less likely to occur • The relationship between performance enhancement and injury prevention is critical

10. Personal Fitness Trainer • Responsible for designing a comprehensive exercise program to meet an individuals needs and goals while also considering a person’s health history • Field emerged in the 1970’s and expanded tremendously in the 1980’s • Become an incredibly fast growing and expansive field • Work with all types of individuals • No single standard qualification for a person to practice as a fitness trainer

11. Four primary organizations • American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) • National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) • National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) • American Council on Exercise (ACE) • These organizations have specific requirements, mandatory testing/retesting, renewal periods, and continuing education • Some even require a formal educational degree in exercise science or another related field • All personal fitness trainers should be certified in CPR and in basic First Aid (Red Cross, National Safety Council or American Heart Association)

12. Strongest growth segment of the fitness industry • Providing increasing services in post-rehabilitation training, sports conditioning, special medical needs, and weight management • Working with a variety of client populations

13. Strength & Conditioning Coaches • Oversee fitness of an athlete • Often employed at the collegiate level for both team and individual training sessions • Typically certified by the NSCA • All strength & conditioning coaches should be certified in CPR and in basic First Aid (Red Cross, National Safety Council or American Heart Association) • Must work with the athletic trainer when it comes to modifying a strength training program relative to injury

14. Strength & conditioning coaches are typically not available at the high school level • The athletic trainer or team coach typically assume this roles in these situations • Will require both program development and overseeing the weight room

15. How does a Recreation Specialist Relate to the Sports Medicine Team? • A recreation specialist plans, organizes, and oversees leisure activities and athletic programs in local recreation camp and park areas; in playground; in health clubs and fitness centers; in the workplace; and in theme parks • Required to ensure that the environment is safe.

16. Should an injury occur to a participant, they should be able to provide immediate and correct first aid and then refer for additional medical assistance • All recreation specialist should be certified in CPR and in basic First Aid (Red Cross, National Safety Council or American Heart Association)

17. Recreation and Parks Directors • Serve as an advisor to local and state recreation and park commissions to manage comprehensive recreation programs in a variety of setting • Develop budgets for recreation programs • Recreation supervisors • Serve as liaisons between parks director and recreation leaders • Plan, organize and manage various activities; may also direct special activities or events • Recreation leaders • Responsible for daily operations of the recreation program

18. Activity specialist • Provide instruction and coach groups in specialties (i.e. swimming or tennis) • Camp counselor • Lead and instruct campers in outdoor-oriented forms of recreation • Recreational therapist • Work in acute healthcare settings; working to treat and rehabilitate individuals with specific health conditions • Utilize leisure activities to improve and maintain client’s general health and well-being • May also provide interventions that help to prevent further medical problems

19. The Role of the Athletic Administrator in the Sports Medicine Team • Has a significant impact on the sports medicine team • Responsible for hiring personnel (i.e. coaches, ATCs, strength coaches, nutritionists, team physician) • Must be sure that all individuals have the necessary credentials and are willing to work as a team

20. Must also oversee and develop policies & procedures, risk management plan, and emergency action plans • Responsible for the budget and for funding all aspects of an athletic healthcare program • Salaries, supplies, equipment, insurance • Commitment of the administrator can have a tremendous impact on the success of the athletic program

21. Role of the Coach in the Sports Medicine Team • Coach must be aware of the responsibilities of each individual associated with the team • If there is no athletic trainer, this becomes even more critical • Coach must understand limits of their ability to function as a health care provider in the state in which they are employed • All coaches should be certified in CPR and in basic First Aid (Red Cross, National Safety Council or American Heart Association)

22. Construct injury prevention conditioning programs Must provide high quality and properly fit protective equipment Apply proper first aid if necessary Be CPR and First Aid certified Possess appropriate coaching licenses and certifications Have understanding of skill techniques and environmental factors associated with sport Continuing education Function as a coach Role of the Coach cont.

23. Roles and Responsibilities of the Athletic Trainer • Work with athletes from time of injury to resolution • Directly responsible for all phases of health care in an athletic environment • May be employed in a variety of settings • Colleges/Universities/Secondary schools • Sports medicine clinics / Corporate settings • Amateur/Professional athletics • Military/NASA • Equipments sales/marketing

24. Must have extensive background in formal academic preparation and supervised practical experience • Guidelines are set Board of Certification • Both in academic coursework and clinical experience • Upon meeting the educational guidelines applicants are eligible to sit for the examination • Upon passing the certification examination = BOC certification as an athletic trainer • Credential of ATC

25. Injury prevention Ensure appropriate training, monitor environment, nutrition, maintain & fitting equipment, appropriate use of medication Recognition, evaluation, assessment of injuries Immediate care of injuries and illnesses (Minimum of CPR and First Aid) Treatment, rehabilitation and reconditioning Knowledge of equipment, manual therapy, therapeutic modalities Organization & administration Budgeting, inventory, injury records, supervision of assistants and students, dealing with insurance matters Professional responsibility Educating the public through seminars, research & providing good care

26. Responsibilities of the Team Physician • Athletic trainer works under direct supervision of physician • Physician assumes a number of roles • Serves to advise and supervise ATC • Physician and ATC must be able to work together

27. Compiling medical histories and conducting physical exams • Pre-participation screening • Diagnosing injury • Deciding on disqualifications • Physician must have the final say on when the athlete should return to activity • Attending practice and games • It is imperative that the team physician promote and maintain consistently high quality care

28. Relationship Between the Sports Medicine Team and Athlete • Primary concern should be that of the athlete • All individuals must work cooperatively in the best interest of the athlete • Coach should differ to the medical staff and support decisions regarding athlete health care • Close communication between all parties involved is critical

29. All parties must work to develop solid working relationship • Each member will have to gain trust and confidence in the skills and abilities of each other • Imperative that the athlete is kept well-informed • Coach and ATC must make a point of educating the student-athlete

30. Family and the Sports Medicine Team • Parents will also be involved at the high school and junior high school level • Parent’s decision must be of a primary consideration • Athletic trainer must be prepared to deal with multiple healthcare providers at parents request • May be dictated via parent’s insurance plan • Must also be sure that athlete and family are familiar with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

31. Other Members of the Sports Medicine Team • Physicians • Dentist • Podiatrist • Nurse • Physicians Assistant • Sports Chiropractors • Physical Therapist • Massage Therapist • Orthotist/prosthetist • Equipment Personnel • Exercise Physiologist • Biomechanist • Nutritionist • Sport Psychologist • Emergency Medical Specialists • Strength & Conditioning Coach • Referees