• Americas HS Sports Medicine

    SM

    As stated in the Texas State Athletic Trainers Association Sports Medicine instructor’s manual (TSATA manual), Sports Medicine I provides an opportunity for students to be exposed to sports medicine.

    The curriculum includes sports medicine careers, organizational and administrative considerations, prevention of athletic injuries, rehabilitation, management skills, taping and wrapping techniques, first aid, CPR/AED, emergency procedures, nutrition, sports psychology, human anatomy and physiology, therapeutic modalities, therapeutic exercises, and recognition, evaluation and immediate care of athletic injuries. The extensive knowledge acquired in Sports Medicine I also provides students the necessary tools to handle the management of their own personal medical care.

    Students who plan to be enrolled in the Athletic Training program should have an understanding of all of the above topics. Each topic is used in real-world application under the supervision of licensed athletic trainers at Americas High School. The students are responsible for having a working knowledge of these topics as they may be used at any given time during their practice as student athletic trainers.

    It is imperative that students who plan to enroll in Athletic Training know and understand the components of sports medicine. If they lack understanding and do not have a solid foundation of knowledge related to sports medicine, this can be a liability to the Athletic Training program.

    Therefore, it is suggested that students who would like to enroll in the Athletic Training Program should enroll in and pass at least one semester of Sports Medicine I. They should also be approved by the Licensed Athletic Trainers who manage the Athletic Training program.

    The progression from “Sports Medicine I” to “Athletic Training” ensures that future student athletic trainers will have an understanding of various sports medicine related topics as listed above. It also helps to ensure the safety of the student athletic trainers and athletes they will treat.  The progression through the program may also enhance the student athletic trainers’ experiences because both classes taken in succession bridge the gap between knowledge of health and clinical rotations. Students who are interested in health professions may also become more prepared to enter a post graduation program related to sports medicine, physical therapy, pre-medicine, orthopedics, and/or athletic training etc.