VSU celebrates National Athletic Training Month

Valdosta State University's department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, joins the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) in celebrating "National Athletic Training Month" during the month of March. This year's focus is injury assessment and the steps involved in treatment and recovery.

According to the Center for Disease Control sports-related injuries in children and young adults cause 2.6 million hospital visits annually, with an estimated cost of $500 million.

Certified athletic trainers (ATCs) are often the first professionals on the scene to treat athletes of all ages when injuries occur. ATCs are medical professionals who specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses that occur to athletes.

"Athletic trainers are becoming an ever increasing presence in the health care system," said Russ Hoff, assistant professor of Kinesiology and Physical Education. "You will find them working in high schools, colleges and universities, hospitals, therapy clinics, industry and as physician extenders."

Currently there are 134 students majoring in sports medicine at VSU. Only 32 of those 134 students will be accepted for clinical instruction, and they must have a GPA of 2.75 or higher.

The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited VSU's athletic training program in 1990.

The NATA represents more than 30,000 members of the athletic training profession through education and research. For more information, visit their Web site at www.nata.org.