March is Athletic Training Month, a time to honor and focus on the impact athletic trainers have on keeping athletes safe and healthy on the fields and courts.
With spring sports well underway, Radford University professor and licensed athletic trainer Michael Moore is available to speak about the role trainers play and their contributions to schools and communities.
Moore serves as coordinator of Clinical Education of Radford’s Master of Science in Athletic Training (M.S.A.T.) program, which is designed to develop students to become future certified athletic trainers in the healthcare field. He recently spoke about the importance of recognizing athletic trainers.
Q: What is the most important aspect of injury prevention that athletes, coaches and parents should focus on?
A: Please understand that injuries are a part of sport and active lifestyles. Injuries and soreness are going to happen. I feel there are four key ways to help prevent and recover from injury:
- Focusing on proper training techniques is vital to preventing injuries.
- Proper amount of rest is key to recovery. The reason for off-seasons and days off is to rest and recover.
- Athletes need to get enough quality sleep to aid in the recovery process for injuries and the cumulative effects of training.
- Proper nutrition. Food is what fuels the body and helps in the recovery and healing process."
Q: How is Radford University preparing future athletic trainers?
A: “We have switched to a Master of Science in Athletic Training (M.S.A.T.) educational program that is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). All CAATE programs have to be taught at the graduate level as of September 2022. Our students gain clinical practicum experience at the high school, college, industrial, physical therapy and general medical settings. During these experiences, students are using the skills they learn in the classroom on real patients over a two-year period in a variety of settings where future athletic trainers work. We will be graduating our second cohort of M.S.A.T. students in May of 2025.”
Q: As sports become more competitive and intense, how can athletic trainers ensure that they are providing the highest level of care to athletes?
A: “Athletic trainers (ATs) should be using evidence-based practice in their clinical practice. In doing so, ATs are ensuring the best healthcare practices for their patients. Evidence-based practice is embedded in all CAATE programs.”
Q: What are strategies for promoting the growth and expansion of the athletic training profession in underserved communities or schools?
A: “According to the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics, all secondary schools should provide the services of a full-time athletic trainer to provide medical coverage to student-athletes. Certified athletic trainers (ATCs) are on the front line, providing healthcare to all the student-athletes associated with a particular school. This being said, communities and school officials should go and advocate at your local school boards and board of supervisors to employ ATCs in each of their schools. There is advocacy information on the NATA website that lays out the importance of ATCs in the school systems providing healthcare to the student-athletes.”
About Michael Moore
Moore is a licensed athletic trainer with experience at the clinic, high school and collegiate levels. He serves as coordinator of Clinical Education of Radford’s Master of Science in Athletic Training program.
Email: mbmoore@radford.edu
Phone: 540-831-6218