“Kick-Off Week” Training Camp Prepares ATI Athletic Trainers for Sports Emergencies
As athletes gear up for the fall sports season, the athletic trainers at ATI Physical Therapy are attending their own training camp to refresh their medical skills before taking to the field. The ATI Sports Medicine Program is hosting its annual “Kick-Off Week” for both its Midwest and East Coast divisions. The Midwest training will take place July 30-August 3 and the East Coast training occurs August 6-10.
Over 110 athletic trainers attend the week-long educational programs covering hot topics in the field of sports medicine including concussion, emergency response, acute injuries, and injury rehabilitation.
A highlight of the week is the interactive session “In 2 minutes or Less!” presented by the Center for Sports Medicine Research & Education. This hands-on sports emergency management program prepares athletic trainers to react flawlessly during sports’ worst moments. In simulated true-to life conditions, participants will perform emergency care techniques without causing secondary injury to a potentially critically injured athlete, including repositioning, stabilization, transfer, and preparation for transport.
“Kick-off Week is an amazing opportunity for our athletic trainers to gather together to learn from experts in the sports medicine field and share their own experiences with colleagues,” said Katie Varnado, ATC, Midwest Director of Sports Medicine, ATI Physical Therapy. “It’s just one example of the outstanding support ATI Physical Therapy offers to its sports medicine team in order to provide the highest quality of care to athletes.”
ATI Physical Therapy’s athletic trainers are certified healthcare professionals who work with athletes at all levels of their sports. Athletic trainers are specialists in the prevention and rehabilitation of injuries. In addition to being present at games and practices to treat acute injuries, athletic trainers work closely with players and coaches to improve the overall health of athletes and prevent future injuries.
ATI Physical Therapy has 140 Sports Medicine affiliations with professional, collegiate, high school and club sport athletic programs. Affiliates include the Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Sky, Joliet Slammers, Schaumburg Boomers, Delaware Tech, UIC, Joliet Junior College, Delaware United Volleyball Club, Central Bucks High School District, Plainfield High School District, and Lincoln-Way School Districts.
ATI athletic trainers understand the complexities of high–level functional rehabilitation, the athlete’s expectation for a quick return to play, and the issues that face the family, the player, and the coaching staff. They understand the psychological impact of being injured and utilize all available resources to ensure that athletes of all levels are able to safely compete at their competitive best and return to play within the shortest time frame possible.