New Albany Athletic Training
Tim Mathews, Head Athletic Trainer
(614) 413-8339
tmathews@napls.us
Injuries are an inherent part of any athletic activity, whether it is conditioning, weight lifting, practicing, or competing in games. In order to better assist student-athletes, New Albany-Plain Local Schools employs certified athletic trainers to mange athlete health care.
What is an athletic trainer?
A certified athletic trainer is a highly educated and skilled professional specializing in athletic health care. In cooperation with physicians and other allied health personnel, the athletic trainer functions as an integral member of the athletic health care team. Athletic trainers are medical professionals that specialize in the prevention, evaluation, care, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. In the State of Ohio, athletic trainers must be licensed through the Ohio Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Athletic Training Board.
What services do the athletic trainers at the school provide?
Based on current levels of staffing, equipment, and space availability, the school’s athletic trainers are able to help treat athletic injuries through the use of ice, moist heat, electric-stim, and ultrasound. The athletic trainers are also able to assist in the rehabilitation of injuries by supervising and developing rehab plans for injured athletes, under the guidance of a physician. NOTE: In order to receive some treatments and perform rehabilitation, a note from a physician is required.
What are the responsibilities of the student-athlete (and parents) in case of an injury?
The coach must be notified of any injury that occurs during any practice, conditioning activity, and competition. The coach also needs to be notified of any injury that may occur outside of athletic participation when that injury could affect the athlete’s level of participation. It will be the coach’s responsibility to arrange for the athlete to be seen by the athletic trainer.
If the student-athlete sees a physician for an athletic-related injury (this includes a medical illness that will preclude an athlete from athletic participation) the athlete must bring a note clearing them for participation. If the athlete is not cleared to participate because of injury, a note from the doctor stating that is also needed. It is also asked that the note identify any treatments and rehab exercises that need to be completed by the student-athlete. This will allow the student-athlete to complete those treatments at the school with certified athletic trainers.