Feb. 27, 2006

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Monday, February 27, 2006) The Southeast Missouri State Athletic Training Department will kick-off National Athletic Training month in March with "Athletic Training Day", a recognized event in the state of Missouri, on February 28. Both events are sponsored by National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), the official orginization for all professionals who specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses in the athletic field. This year's theme is Be Active: Stay Healthy.

Southeast Missouri State has three full time certified athletic trainers in athletics, two as faculty in academics, and four graduate assistant athletic trainers. They have an accredited athletic training education program on campus that educates students to become certified athletic trainers. This program is considered one of the fastest growing programs not only on campus but in the state. There are over 500 athletic trainers in the state of Missouri with approximately 35 within the region.

A schedule of events and promotional ideas for the month is available on the official NATA site http://www.nata.org/natm/index.htm .

Southeast has an accredited athletic training education program on campus that educates students to become certified athletic trainers.

Athletic training is an allied health care profession. Certified athletic trainers hold at least a bachelor's degree and are focused on injury prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation. They are required to pursue continuing education to retain their certification, which is awarded by an organization independent of NATA.

Athletic trainers are medical professionals who are experts in injury prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, particularly in the orthopedic and musculoskeletal disciplines.

Athletic trainers are a key component of the health care team, which includes physicians and other allied health personnel. Because of their focus on injury prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, certified athletic trainers lessen the burden on the public and private health care systems.

2005-06 Southeast Missouri State Athletic Training Education Program Students

Athletic trainers provide value and a financial return on investment to secondary schools, occupational employers, physicians, hospitals and clinics. Their emphasis on injury prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation improves employee productivity and performance that can result in lower liability and health care insurance costs.

For more information on the events or the Southeast Missouri State Athletic Training Department and program please visit http://www.semo.edu/study/athletictraining/