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The first meeting of the National Athletic Trainers' Association took place in Kansas City with 200 athletic trainers in attentance. NATA has helped to unify certified athletic trainers across the country by setting a standard for professionalism, education, certification, research and practice settings. The mission of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association is to enhance the quality of health care provided by certified athletic trainers and to advance the athletic training profession.
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A major feature of the curriculum model was the emphasis on attainment of a secondary-level teaching credential. This curriculum would prepare a student not only for athletic training but teaching as well. The curriculum also included courses that were a prerequiste for the acceptance in physical therapy schools.
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The first undergraduate athletic training programs were officially recognized by NATA. These first programs included Mankato State University, Indiana State University, Lamar University, and the University of New Mexico.
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The publication in the Guidelines magazine noted the athletic training major as well as two other features to the program. The first was the inclusion of specific subject matter requirements instead of specific courses and the second was the Competencies in Athletic Training which replaced the behavioral objectives of the 1970's.
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Publication of the 1983 guidelines initiated the transformation of NATA-approved undergraduate athletic
training education programs from specializations or concentrations to more comprehensive academic majors. A primary consideration that guided development of the 1983 guidelines was the concept of an equivalent academic major. -
The Board of Certification was incorporated to provide a certification program for entry-level Athletic Trainers. The BOC establishes and regularly reviews both the standards for the practice of athletic training and the continuing education requirements for BOC Certified athletic trainers. The BOC has the only accredited certification program for ATs in the US.
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The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) is the agency responsible for the accreditation of 350+ professional athletic training educational programs. The mission of the CAATE is to provide comprehensive accreditation services to institutions that offer athletic training degree programs and verify that all CAATE-accredited programs meet the acceptable educational standards for professional athletic training education.
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The first 2 entry-level athletic training education programs (Barry University and High Point University) were accredited by the Committe of Allied Health Education and Accreditation. Accreditation of athletic training education programs by CAHEA was shortlived, however.
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The Education Task Force reviews all aspects of athletic training education at the undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education levels.
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Athletic TrainingAthletic training is practiced by athletic trainers, health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to optimize activity and participation of patients and clients. Athletic training encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and intervention of emergency, acute, and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities. All students that want to become athletic trainers must go to a accredited program.
