Athletic trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who render service or treatment, under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their education, training and the state's statutes, rules and regulations. As a part of the health care team, services provided by athletic trainers include primary care, injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.  The National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) Code of Ethics states the principles of ethical behavior that should be followed in the practice of athletic training (National Athletic Trainers' Association, 2021).

Athletic trainers are sometimes confused with personal trainers. However, there is a significant difference in the education, skillset, job duties, and patients of an athletic trainer when compared with a personal trainer. The athletic training academic curriculum and clinical training follows the medical model. Athletic trainers must graduate from an accredited baccalaureate or master’s program, and 70% of ATs have a master’s degree (National Athletic Trainers' Association, 2021).

To become a athletic Trainer, a student must graduate with bachelors or master’s degree from an accredited professional athletic training education program and pass a comprehensive test administered by the Board of Certification (BOC). Once certified, he or she must meet ongoing continuing education requirements in order to remain certified. (National Athletic Trainers' Association)

BOC-certified athletic trainers are educated, trained and evaluated in five major practice domains including injury and illness prevention and wellness promotion, examination, assessment and diagnosis, immediate and emergency care, therapeutic intervention, health care administration, and professional responsibility (National Athletic Trainers' Association, 2021).

Athletic trainers treat a wide range of patients and can work in a variety of settings. Regardless of their practice setting, athletic trainers practice according to their education, scope of practice, and state practice act. Athletic trainers work in public and private secondary schools, colleges and universities, professional and Olympic sports, youth leagues, municipal and independently owned youth sports facilities, physician practices (similar to nurses, physician assistants, physical therapists and other professional clinical personnel), rural and urban hospitals, hospital emergency rooms, urgent and ambulatory care centers, clinics with specialties in sports medicine, cardiac rehab, medical fitness, wellness and physical therapy, occupational health departments in commercial settings (including manufacturing, distribution and offices to assist with ergonomics), police and fire departments and academies, municipal departments, branches of the military, and performing arts (including professional and collegiate level dance and music). (National Athletic Trainers' Association)

Yes, our Medical Director is G. Todd Moore, DO, a board certified and fellowship trained sports medicine and orthopedic surgeon specializing in all aspects of orthopedics with special interests in hip and knee arthroplasty, fracture care, and pediatric orthopedics. Dr. Moore has been in practice in the DFW area since 2012. His principle practice is a part of The Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute in Mansfield.