Athletic Training
Mark Eberle PT, A.T.C., co-owner of Eberle's Physical Therapy, Inc., is not only a physical therapist but is also a Certified Athletic Trainer. He has over twenty years of experience working with Erie Area High School, college, amateur and professional athletes. Any patient with an athletic injury should feel confident that they are being treated for their injury by not only an excellent P.T. but a highly experienced Certified Athletic Trainer, as well.
The professional trainer is a well qualified individual who is certified by the National Athletic Trainers Association, has an advanced academic degree, and has a thorough understanding of and special skills in many facets of prevention and care of athletic injuries. The Athletic Trainer works in all phases of the athletic training program in a team approach with the physician and the coach.
The term athletic training may be confusing; athletic training and the athletic trainer are traditional titles that began during the early development of the field. Training implies the act of coaching or teaching. A better title to describe the role of athletic trainer might be sports therapist or sports medicine practitioner. The Professional athletic trainer is expected to be a college graduate with extensive background in biological and health sciences.
Athletic trainers are highly educated and well trained professionals. They are concerned with injury prevention, recognition, and evaluation of the injured athlete. They are also skilled in the management, counseling, treatment and rehabilitation of the injured. A person can become certified after successfully completing a NATA approved athletic training education program from a college or university, Upon completion of an approved curriculum and 1800 clock hours under a certified Athletic Trainer, a candidate may sit for the certification exam. If successful in passing the exam, they become a certified Athletic Trainer by the NATA and may also seek state licensure. A certified trainer will have the initials A.T.C. following their name.