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What Is Athletic Training?

Athletic training encompasses the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of emergent, acute or chronic injuries and medical conditions 

What Is An Athletic Trainer?

Athletic trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Athletic trainers work under the direction of a physician as prescribed by state licensure statutes.

Anna Dawson

Anna Dawson

Head Athletic Trainer

Sandalwood High School 

Anna Dawson is the Head Athletic Trainer at Sandalwood High School. She has been an athletic trainer since 2013. She attended University of South Florida and received her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, as well as University of Tampa and achieved a Master’s in Exercise and Nutrition Science. Anna has had experience evaluating, treating, preventing, and rehabilitating injuries at the high school level as well as at the collegiate level.

Anna became an Athletic Trainer because of her two she had in high school. She had multiple injuries due to competing in gymnastics and spent time doing therapy with them in the training room and eventually became a student aide. 

Jennifer Maynard,

Sandalwood High School Team Physician

Mayo Clinic 

A sports medicine specialist is a physician who is trained to diagnose and treat injuries and conditions caused by participation in athletic activities.

These doctors are generally employed by professional sports teams to care for the athletes who are injured. They have extensive knowledge of the types of injuries that athletes are most susceptible to, such as stress fractures, sprains, concussions, muscle cramps, ACL injuries, and shin splints.

It is the responsibility of sports medicine specialist to clear athletes to return to the playing field when they are deemed fit. These doctors also advise athletes on how to avoid injury through proper care of their bodies while training.