¶ … athletic coach I have garnered a wide variety of skills, as well as an extensive understanding of the standard practices and procedures an individual in the field of exercise science should possess. My past experiences have provided me with substantial knowledge of the principles involved in the prevention and care of athletic injuries. With the following, I hope to illustrate that my experiences and subsequent research have provided me with a broad awareness of typical athletic injuries and treatments as they apply to exercise science. When a member of my dance squad sprained her ankle it became necessary for me to tape it as to provide additional support. I employed the traditional Gibney basket weave procedure. This consists of an interwoven network of stirrup strips "which cover the plantar surface of the hindfoot and extend proximally on both the medial and lateral aspects of the leg, and horseshoe strips, which are applied perpendicular to the stirrup strips on the hindfoot." (Journal of Athletic Training 2002). Although I recognized that this could not be a permanent solution, it did provide her with a slight amount of external support for her ankle. I advised her avoid testing its limits so it could heal more readily. This proved to be sound advice because she was back to regular activity within the span of two weeks.

During my time as a coach for distance runners I came to realize that a large percentage of running-related injuries could be prevented with the universal use of arch supports. Through my research I found that shin splints, tibial stress syndrome, tibial stress fractures, Achilles tendonitis, heel pains, and arch pains can all not only be treated by using arch supports but can also be prevented with arch supports (Levy 183). Accordingly, I made some form of supports mandatory for my distance squad as a preventative measure. The move paid-off, because none of my athletes suffered from any major arch related injuries that season.

In my years as a cheerleading coach I have found that cheerleaders experience injuries similar to those suffered by gymnasts. Additionally, they experience high levels of groin pulls as a result of performing splits, as well as shin splints from extended activity on hard floors. Of course, the greatest risk in associated with pyramids and other types of lifts. These sorts of stunts must be planned with the utmost attention to safety. Awareness of possible injuries like whiplash dislocation of cervical vertebra, although rare, is necessary.

From my time as a swim team coach I have always felt that it is best to remain aware of the most dangerous injuries that sometimes occur. Diving accidents are infrequent, but one mistake can be extremely costly. Among the more common ailments are swimmers ear, irritated eyes, swimmers shoulder, collarbone pain, and swimmers knee. Fortunately, I was never required to treat any injury more serious than irritated eyes -- which can easily be treated with better goggles.

Distance runners, however, can experience a myriad of injuries from repetitive activity. Many of them can be treated with better arch supports, or better shoes. Stress fractures and hamstring pulls are not uncommon. I have found that lower back pains and knee problems can also arise. Many of the injuries associated with distance running can best be treated with rest.

A parent once asked me exactly what I kept in the bag I brought to competitions, and this forced me to identify the equipment that was most essential to a coach. The following is a list of items that most coaches or trainers should carry regardless of the particular sport as compiled from my own experiences and research (Boyle 103):

Suture materials: superglue, needle holder, scissors.

Inhaled bronchodilator, for treating asthmatics.

Injectable adrenaline, for asthma or insect stings.

Blood pressure cuff.

Stethoscope.

A cake icing, for diabetics suffering from an insulin reaction.

Splints.

Screwdrivers.

Fluorescein dye, to test for corneal abrasions.

Saline, for rinsing eyes.

Eye patches.

Moleskin.

An otoscope and ophthalmoscope, for looking into eyes and ears.

Alkali solution, for cleaning lost teeth.

A cell phone, to call 911 if necessary.

Although most minor injuries can be treated by a trainer -- with the aid of these materials -- it is important to recognize when emergency medical assistance is required. Skull, neck, and spinal injuries should warrant an immediate call for assistance from the nearest medical facility, regardless of apparent severity. In the case of...

Even injuries of this nature that appear minor should be treated with utmost caution, before the individual is allowed to return to competition (Boyle 35).
Broken bones or dislocations of extremities should also warrant a call to 911 if the pulse is weak or the limb begins to turn cold -- this could be a limb threatening injury. Also, trainers or coaches involved in contact sports should be aware of potential injuries to the spleen. "Always consider the possibility of a splenic when a player complains of lower rib pain, and call 911 if there is any suspicion of this injury." (Boyle 58). Essentially, my research into the necessity of emergency calls has resulted in the theory that an athlete who has sustained a serious injury should be checked for a clear airway, breathing, and circulation. A failure in either one of these warrants a call to 911.

I have found that athletic trainers, on the high school level, are responsible for much more than just ensuring the safety of the athletes. In fact, it has often become necessary for me to inform the athlete's parents of my capabilities and reassure them of their child's safety. This is frequently the case because parents are regularly more concerned for their young athlete's physical security than the children themselves. Therefore, I feel that it is essential for athletic trainers to, not only be prepared for any potential mishaps, but also to exude a professional and calm persona.

I believe that there are two primary ways by which someone can gain the qualifications necessary to be a capable athletic trainer. The first is the traditional method, and the way I came into the practice: apprenticeship or internship structure, where the primary focus is on attaining practical skills to provide service for athletes. I gained the majority of my skills through direct experience and observation.

However, it has been increasingly more common for athletic trainers to begin their learning in an academic setting, with a more rigorous and organized method. I believe that in the future a clinical education model will be the standard by which trainers learn their trade. Currently, both paths are acceptable and both types of athletic trainers can be equally competent. In fact, I feel that the vast majority of topics that are covered in my classes I have already encountered in my own experiences.

An athletic trainer is responsible for the prevention and care of athlete's injuries, as well as introducing programs that may produce the greatest gains in performance. This includes strength training, cardiovascular, flexibility exercises, and equipment recommendations. Although the specifics of day-to-day responsibilities may vary from place to place, these are the essentials of the position.

In addition to the supplies that I carry in my medical bag to each event, I also find it necessary to have full access to a treatment facility during the regular working day. This way, when an athlete sustains an injury during the course of a practice or workout it is possible for me to assess their injury and suggest a treatment. I always keep in this facility many of the larger supplies that I may be unable to transport to ever single sporting event. These supplies include: crutches, leg braces, slings, ankle braces, bandages, as well as pain relievers. Of course, all of the emergency materials that are kept in the medical bag should also be available in any other treatment facility.

I have found that one of the most common injuries that can potentially become serious generally occurs when an athlete is poked in the eye. A corneal abrasion can often occur; I always test for this immediately if an athlete complains of eye pain. A member of my distance squad during a practice run had her eye poked by a hanging tree branch. She was in extreme pain and tested positive for a scratched cornea. I thoroughly rinsed her eye with saline and covered it with a protective patch before instructing her to visit a doctor. This turned out to be the correct course of action because the doctor confirmed the abrasion, and no further complications were sustained.

From my time as a distance runners' coach I have investigated the mechanics behind the most common types of injuries associated with running. Subsequently, I have learned that "95% of these problems are due to the foot striking the ground improperly." (Levy 199). Generally speaking, three specific types of problems are most common in runners: a pronating foot, a Morton's foot, and a supinating foot. "A pronating foot rolls toward the inside. A supinating foot rolls toward the outside. A Morton's foot is a combination of…