Injury prevention includes:

Physical Examinations

The athletic trainer, in cooperation with the team physician, should obtain a medical history and conduct physical examinations of the athletes before participation as a means of screening for existing or potential problems. The medical information should be reviewed closely and clarification given to any point of concern. The physical examination should include measurement of height, weight, blood pressure and body composition. The physical examination should concentrate on cardiovascular, respiratory, abdominal, genital, dermatological and ear, nose, throat systems and may include blood work and urinalysis. A brief orthopedic examination may include, range of motion, muscle strength, and functional tests to assess joint stability. If the athletic trainer knows at the beginning of the season that an athlete has a physical problem that may predispose that athlete to an injury during the course of that season, then corrective measures that may significantly reduce the possibility of additional injury may be implemented immediately.

Developing training and conditioning programs

Perhaps the most important aspect of injury prevention is making certain that the athlete is fit and thus able to handle the physiological and psychological demands of athletic competition. The athletic trainer works with the coaches to develop and implement an effective training and conditioning program for the athlete. It is essential that the athlete maintain a consistently high level of fitness during the pre-season, the competitive season and the off-season. This is critical not only for enhancing performance parameters but also for preventing injury and reinsure. An athletic trainer must be knowledgeable in the area of applied physiology of exercise, particularly with regard to strength training, flexibility, improvement of cardiorespiratory fitness, maintenance of body competition and weight control and nutrition. Many colleges and most professional teams have employed full time strength coaches to oversee this aspect of the total athletic program. But the athletic trainer must be acutely aware of any aspect of the program that may have a negative impact on an athlete or group of athletes and offer constructive suggestions for alternatives when appropriate. At the high school level, the athletic trainer may be totally responsible for designing, implementing and overseeing the fitness and conditioning program for the athletes.

Selecting and properly fitting protective equipment

The athletic trainer should work with coaches and equipment personnel to select protective equipment and be responsible for maintaining its condition and safety. In a time in which liability lawsuits have virtually become the rule rather than the exception, the athletic trainer must make certain that high quality equipment is being purchased initially and that it is constantly being worn, maintained and reconditioned according to specific guidelines recommended by the manufacturers.

Protective equipment and/or protective devices can consume a significant portion of the athletic budget. The individual who is responsible for purchasing protective equipment is usually barraged with marketing literature on a variety of braces, supports, pads and other types of protective equipment. Decisions on purchasing specific pieces or brands should be based on research data that clearly document effectiveness in reducing or preventing injury. For example, there is little question that helmets worn in football, lacrosse, and ice hockey have significantly reduced head injuries in those sports. Conversely, there is little conclusive evidence that lateral protective knee braces reduce either the number or severity of knee injuries in football. Again, whether the application of tape prior to practice or competition actually reduces the number of injuries has not been conclusively determined.

Equipment is generally relatively expensive, and schools are certainly subject to budgeting restrictions. However, decisions made on the equipment that is purchased should always be made in the best interest of the athlete. At most colleges and professional levels, full-time equipment managers are hired to oversee this area of responsibility. But it is imperative that the athletic trainer be knowledgeable about and aware of the equipment being worn by each athlete.

Creating a safe playing environment

To the best of his or her ability the athletic trainer must create a safe environment for competition. This may include duties not typically thought to belong to the athletic trainer, such as collecting trash, picking up rocks, or removing objects such as hurdles, gymnastics equipment, etc., from the perimeter of the practice area, all of which might pose potential danger to the athlete. The athletic trainer should call these potential safety hazards to the attention of the administrator. The interaction between the athletic trainer and a concerned and cooperative administrator can greatly enhance the effectiveness of the sports medicine team.

The athletic trainer should also be familiar with potential dangers associated with practicing or competing under inclement weather conditions, such as high heat and humidity, extreme cold, or electrical storms. Practice should be restricted, altered, or occasionally cancelled should weather conditions threaten the health and safety of the athlete. If the team physician is not present, the athletic trainer must have the authority to curtail practice if the environment conditions become severe.