National Athletic Trainers' Association

National Athletic Trainers' Association. The National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) is a professional membership organization for Certified Athletic Trainers, with a mission to enhance the quality of health care for Athletes and Patients, as supported by the American Medical Association, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and National Collegiate Athletic Association. The organization works closely with other medical organizations, such as the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Academy of Sports Medicine, to promote the health and well-being of athletes. NATA members, including renowned athletic trainers like James Andrews and Kevin Wilk, work in a variety of settings, including High Schools, Colleges, Professional Sports teams, and Sports Medicine clinics, often in collaboration with Team Physicians and other healthcare professionals, such as those from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.

● History

The National Athletic Trainers' Association was founded in 1950 by a group of athletic trainers, including C. Robert Rowe and David G. Greer, who were dedicated to improving the care of athletes, with early support from organizations like the National Federation of State High School Associations and the American Football Coaches Association. The organization has grown significantly since its founding, with current members including athletic trainers from a variety of settings, such as NFL teams, NCAA colleges, and Olympic sports teams, who work with athletes like Tom Brady and Serena Williams. NATA has also established relationships with other organizations, such as the American Red Cross and the National Safety Council, to promote athlete safety and health. The organization's history is closely tied to the development of athletic training as a profession, with key milestones including the establishment of the National Athletic Trainers' Association Foundation and the creation of the Board of Certification for athletic trainers, which is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

● Organization

The National Athletic Trainers' Association is governed by a Board of Directors, which includes representatives from various districts and committees, such as the NATA Executive Committee and the NATA Finance Committee. The organization is divided into districts, each of which represents a different region of the United States, such as the NATA District 1 and NATA District 2, and has established relationships with state athletic training organizations, such as the California Athletic Trainers' Association and the Texas Athletic Trainers' Association. NATA also has a number of committees, including the NATA Education Committee and the NATA Research Committee, which work to promote the advancement of athletic training, often in collaboration with organizations like the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The organization's headquarters is located in Dallas, Texas, and it has a staff of professionals who work to support the organization's mission, including the NATA Executive Director and the NATA Director of Government Affairs.

● Certification

The National Athletic Trainers' Association offers a certification program for athletic trainers, which is administered by the Board of Certification, a separate organization that is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. To become certified, athletic trainers must meet certain educational and experiential requirements, such as graduating from a Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education-accredited program, and pass a comprehensive exam, which is developed in collaboration with organizations like the American Council on Exercise and the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Certified athletic trainers must also complete continuing education requirements to maintain their certification, which may include attending conferences like the NATA Annual Meeting and completing online courses offered by organizations like the American Academy of Sports Medicine and the National Academy of Sports Medicine. The certification program is recognized by organizations such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Federation of State High School Associations, and is an important step in becoming a professional athletic trainer, with many certified athletic trainers going on to work with athletes like LeBron James and Lindsey Vonn.

● Membership

The National Athletic Trainers' Association has a diverse membership, including athletic trainers from a variety of settings, such as High Schools, Colleges, and Professional Sports teams, who work with athletes like Aaron Rodgers and Simone Biles. Members of NATA have access to a range of benefits, including professional development opportunities, such as attending conferences like the NATA Annual Meeting and completing online courses offered by organizations like the American Council on Exercise and the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Members also have access to publications, such as the Journal of Athletic Training and the NATA News, which provide information on the latest research and developments in athletic training, often in collaboration with organizations like the American Journal of Sports Medicine and the British Journal of Sports Medicine. NATA members, including renowned athletic trainers like James Andrews and Kevin Wilk, are also eligible to participate in the organization's governance structure, including serving on committees and running for office, and may work with other medical professionals, such as Team Physicians and Physical Therapists, to promote athlete health and well-being.

● Advocacy_and_Education

The National Athletic Trainers' Association is committed to advocating for the interests of athletic trainers and promoting the health and well-being of athletes, often in collaboration with organizations like the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The organization works to educate the public about the importance of athletic training and the role of athletic trainers in promoting athlete health and safety, with initiatives like the NATA Athletic Training Awareness Campaign and partnerships with organizations like the National Safety Council and the American Red Cross. NATA also works to influence public policy, such as advocating for the passage of laws like the Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act and regulations like the Concussion Protocol developed by the National Federation of State High School Associations. The organization's advocacy efforts are supported by its government affairs team, which works to build relationships with lawmakers and other stakeholders, including the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Federation of State High School Associations, and may involve collaboration with other organizations, such as the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

● Conferences_and_Publications

The National Athletic Trainers' Association hosts a number of conferences and events throughout the year, including the NATA Annual Meeting and the NATA Clinical Symposia, which provide opportunities for athletic trainers to network and learn about the latest developments in athletic training, often in collaboration with organizations like the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and the Arthroscopy Association of North America. The organization also publishes a number of publications, including the Journal of Athletic Training and the NATA News, which provide information on the latest research and developments in athletic training, with contributions from renowned athletic trainers like James Andrews and Kevin Wilk. NATA's publications are recognized as leading sources of information on athletic training, and are often cited by other organizations, such as the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and may be used by athletic trainers working with athletes like Tom Brady and Serena Williams. The organization's conferences and publications are an important part of its mission to promote the advancement of athletic training, with many attendees and readers going on to work with athletes like LeBron James and Lindsey Vonn.