AT IQ: How Do Athletic Trainers Reduce the Risk of Injury?
Leave a CommentThis year’s National Athletic Training Month (NATM) theme is “Athletic Trainers Impact Health Care Through Action.” There are many ways that athletic trainers do this every day in the communities where they live and work, including by providing education and support to minimize the risk of injury for their athletes.
In celebration of NATM, take this quiz to see how much you know about the ways athletic trainers work to minimize injury risk.
1. True or False: Athletes can reduce their risk of injury by engaging in a comprehensive strength and conditioning program.
Strengthening the muscles surrounding the knee, core, hip and lower leg can help improve mechanics with sport-specific tasks. Your athletic trainer can provide recommendations for strength and conditioning exercises and/or programs to help you minimize injury risk and optimize your performance.
2. Which of these youth sports specialization tips is recommended by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA)?
The NATA supports the following recommendations as they relate to the health and well-being of adolescent and young athletes: 1) Delay Specializing in a Single Sport as Long as Possible 2) One Team at a Time 3) Less Than Eight Months Per Year 4) No More Hours/Week Than Age in Years 5) Two Days of Rest Per Week 6) Rest and Recovery Time from Organized Sport Participation
3. What is the best way to prepare your body for activity?
Your athletic trainer will typically recommend warming up with dynamic stretches prior to activity. Dynamic stretching is also known as “active stretching” where the muscle is being moved through its range and usually this is a range needed for the activity after the warm-up.
4. True or False: Hair should be dry when fitting a new helmet.
Hair should always be wet when fitting a helmet. It is important that helmets are fitted properly to ensure maximum protection. When in doubt, athletes can ask their athletic trainer for assistance in choosing the right helmet.
5. Which of these factors can increase the risk of heat illness during practice or a game?
The best way to protect yourself from exertional heat injury is to be educated on ways to prevent it in the first place. Your athletic trainer can provide education on how to maintain hydration levels as well as other tips to minimize the risk of heat illness during practices and games.
