Athletic Training

Training and Safety for Athletes

Athletic Training

At the Center for Athletes, our nationally certified athletic trainers work with athletes directly on their campuses and where they compete.

We provide full athletic training coverage to six local high schools - from pre-game warm-ups to helping students learn how to prevent injuries.

Our staff oversees pre-season strength training and education programs, as well as Impact Concussion Screening, using the latest concussion evaluation and management tools.

During the season we evaluate and treat injuries, as necessary, for athletes from the area high schools, as well as provide game coverage for youth and adult sports leagues and clubs.

We also offer CPR and First Aid classes through the American Heart Association.

Concussion Management

We are proactive in assessing and managing concussions to help limit the risks and potential complications for athletes.

Assessment and management of concussive injuries, as well as return to play decisions, are among the most difficult responsibilities facing the sports medicine team. Due to the nature of concussions, and their potentially serious complications, it is imperative healthcare professionals caring for athletes are able to recognize, evaluate and treat these injuries in a complete and progressive fashion.

The Center for Athletes has developed a Concussion Management Plan to support our Athletic Training staff in caring for student athletes with concussions at our local high schools.

Recover from a concussion under the professional guidance of our Sports Concussion Rehab Program.

What is a concussion?

According to the Consensus Statement from the International Conference on Concussion in Sport (Zurich, 2008): Concussion is defined as a complex patho-physiological process affecting the brain, induced by traumatic biomechanical forces. Several common features that incorporate clinical, pathologic and biomechanical injury constructs that may be utilized in defining the nature of a concussive head injury include:

1. Concussion may be caused either by a direct blow to the head, face, neck or elsewhere on the body with an "impulsive" force transmitted to the head.
2. Concussion typically results in the rapid onset of short-lived impairment of neurologic function that resolves spontaneously.
3. Concussion may result in neuropathological changes, but the acute clinical symptoms largely reflect a functional disturbance rather than a structural injury.
4. Concussion results in a graded set of clinical symptoms that may or may not involve loss of consciousness. Resolution of the clinical and cognitive symptoms typically follows a sequential course; however, it is important to note that, in a small percentage of cases, post-concussive symptoms may be prolonged.
5. No abnormality on standard structural neuroimaging studies is seen in concussion.

CPR Training for Coaches

You can take CPR and First Aid classes through the American Heart Association (AHA) at the CFA.

We offer two types of certifications: Basic Life Support to meet the needs of healthcare professionals and Heartsaver CPR for coaches. Part I of the certification is an online test offered by the AHA. Part II requires scheduling a time at CFA to take the practical portion of the test.