The Difference Between Athletic Trainers and Personal Trainers

 “I have worked out with personal trainer before, so what more can I learn from an athletic trainer and what’s the difference anyways?”

This is a question the MUSC Sports Medicine team often gets. March is Athletic Training month and the MUSC Sports Medicine team will be answering this questions as well as sharing information and tips on the crucial role athletic trainers play.  

Education and credentialing:
Athletic Trainers are often confused with personal trainers. Personal trainers work with individuals to obtain a certain level of fitness. Personal trainers are not required to have a higher education degree nor are required to be certified, licensed or obtain continuing education.

Athletic Trainers on the other hand, are highly-educated key members of a successful sports medicine team. A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree is required and more than 70 % of athletic trainers also go on to earn a Master’s degree. To be credentialed by the Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers, you must pass a comprehensive exam as well as complete 50 continuing education hours every two years to keep your certification current.

Where they work:
Personal trainers work in health clubs, wellness centers, or in private homes and are capable of assessing a client’s fitness needs and designing an exercise program.

Athletic trainers work in schools, colleges, professional sports, clinics, hospitals, corporations, military, and performing arts settings. They are key members of the team working closely with physicians and other allied health care professionals to coordinate an athlete’s health care. The Athletic Trainer’s role is to help prevent, treat, and rehabilitate acute and chronic injuries for athletes.

Why Athletic Trainers are key:
Athletic Trainers are integral parts of athletic teams at all levels. Athletes, coaches, and parents rely on athletic  trainers to provide not only medical expertise but also physical and emotional support. Athletes look to us to be everything from doctors, to nutritionists, to psychologists, to confidantes. Coaches depend on us to make quick and correct medical decisions and to return their athlete’s to 100% as soon as possible. Parents rely on us to keep their children safe. Athletic Trainers work behind the scenes at all levels of sport to ensure that athletes can compete at a high and safe level.

Want to learn more about MUSC’s Sports Medicine team?Visit us online at MUSChealth.com/sports

Are you a student athlete or the parent of one who wants to improve their performance and through proper training and exercise?    Find out more about our upcoming Sports Performance Summer Camps  that will be offered during June and July, 2012.

Thanks to Stephanie Davey, MEd, ATC, PES from the MUSC Sports Medicine team for contributing this article.