What to Expect When You Work with Certified Athletic Trainers Near You
Back-to-school season is about to kick off, which means many high school and collegiate athletes are already preparing for football and other fall sports. The life of a full-time student-athlete is both physically and mentally taxing, especially if they play a contact sport.
Statistically, football players are the most likely to sustain athletic injuries; however, baseball, basketball, tennis, and soccer players aren’t immune to on-field mishaps.
Common sports injuries include:
- Swollen or torn muscles
- Bone fractures or breaks
- Strains and sprains
- Knee injuries
- Tendon injuries
- Tennis elbow
- Concussions
Considering the wide array of potential injuries that can occur, athletic directors and coaches make a point to highlight the benefits of athletic training to mitigate them. Prevention remains the best way to combat athletic injuries, which is why athletic trainers can be invaluable.
What Are Athletic Training and Physical Therapy?
Athletic training is a specialized form of conditioning that focuses on injury prevention. At Mid-America Orthopedics, our certified athletic trainers work with a variety of athletes and their coaching staff to deliver a full continuum of care. That includes treatment for typical aches, pains, and soreness as well as athletic injuries, such as sprains and fractures.
Additionally, Mid-America Orthopedics provides professional physical therapy services for athletes who are rehabilitating from a sports injury. This ensures athletes heal correctly from their athletic injuries, providing them the best chance to return to the field of competitive play at 100%.
The Benefits of Working with Certified Athletic Trainers Near You
Athletes who aspire to gain a competitive edge and ensure they remain healthy are encouraged to reach out to a certified athletic trainer in Wichita. The following are the six main benefits athletes can expect.
- Injury Prevention: Participating in sports carries a risk of injury, especially for young and growing athletes. Athletic training emphasizes injury prevention through exercises that target stability, flexibility, and balance. Strengthening supporting muscles and engaging in proper warm-up routines can significantly reduce the likelihood of injuries, keeping athletes in peak condition and minimizing downtime.
- Enhanced Physical Fitness: Regular athletic training significantly improves overall physical fitness and endurance. By establishing healthy fitness habits early on, high school and college athletes can lay the foundation for a lifetime of physical activity.
- Improved Performance: Athletic training and physical therapy programs are tailored to the specific needs of individual athletes, focusing on strength, agility, speed, and endurance. By working with certified athletic trainers, high school and college athletes can fine-tune their skills, enabling them to reach their full potential and excel in their respective sports. Training sessions often include sport-specific drills, technique refinement, and skill development, all of which are designed to take an athlete’s performance to the next level.
- Mental Resilience: Athletic training not only challenges the body, but also tests mental fortitude. Pushing through grueling workouts and overcoming obstacles fosters mental resilience, determination, and perseverance. These qualities are invaluable on the field of competitive play and in daily life.
- Team Building and Leadership: Athletic training often takes place in group settings, encouraging teamwork and camaraderie among athletes. By working together toward shared goals, high school and college athletes build strong bonds while developing essential teamwork and leadership skills. One of the big benefits of athletic training is that these attributes often extend beyond the field, translating into success in academic and professional environments.
- Time Management and Discipline: Balancing academics, extracurricular activities, and social commitments can be daunting for high school and college students. Athletic training and physical therapy instill discipline and time management skills. This structured approach teaches them to juggle multiple tasks efficiently and stay organized, which are beneficial qualities to have in the workplace.
Locating Certified Athletic Trainers Near You in Wichita
Now that you’re up to speed on the many physical and mental benefits of athletic training, the next step is to reach out to the professionals at Mid-America Orthopedics. Once you’re in contact with one of our certified athletic trainers, they can walk you through the specifics of what to expect when working with them.
For questions or to schedule an appointment, call (316) 630-9300 or email us using the contact form on our website. For the convenience of our patients, we generally can schedule same-day or next-day appointments.