Hidden helpers Athletic trainers often unrecognized despite crucial role Common Sports Injuries
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Ankle Sprains A condition that causes pain and swelling in the ankle region. Ankle sprains result when ligaments are stretched or torn from overuse.
Little League Elbow A condition affecting the growth plate of the elbow in adolescents. This injury is caused by repetitive strain from throwing a baseball.
Runner’s Knee A condition that causes pain behind the kneecap and also swollen tissue. Can be a result of repetitive strain from bending one’s knee or from blunt force.
Graphic by Andrew Haughey Athletic trainer Lindsey Biggs examines senior cross country runner Vera Schafer’s knee. “The trainers are the backbone of all FHS athletics,” Schafer said. “They are always there when athletes experience an injury and they always put athletes first and help athletes to be healthy and happy.” Photo by Andrew Haughey.
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Tiger Times
utside of the athletic office, a vast array of photographs portraying each sports team lines the wall. Each of these portraits contains the faces of dozens of athletes and coaches, but lacks a vital facet of each team: athletic trainers. While athletes and coaches often commit themselves to one team, athletic trainers work to help any athlete in need of their assistance. Because of this, trainers must be well-versed in a variety of subjects. “We are responsible for making sure that the athletic population stays healthy,” trainer Bruce Willard said. “We help to recognize injuries, treat injuries, rehabilitate injuries and, ultimately, get kids back on the field so they can be doing what they want to be doing in a safe manner.” Although helping athletes to identify and heal injuries is a substantial part of their job, the trainers perform other routine activities to ensure sports practices and events run smoothly. Typically, the trainers start their day around 2 to 2:30 p.m. by setting up fields for practices during the fall and spring seasons. “Depending on the day, we’ll have more injuries than others, but we typically just go through rehabilitation and anything we can do with the patients,” trainer Lindsey Biggs said. “Around 4, we’ll go out to practices, or if it’s
Andrew Haughey
haughand000@hsestudents.org
Willard said. “There’s a window between 3 and 4 o’clock, which is a really short amount of time for us to get kids in and out of here. In the middle of fall when everything is going on, that 4 o’clock time frame sometimes goes to 4:15, 4:30 or even later.” While the short period of time can sometimes inhibit the relationships between trainer and athlete, recurring injuries can give the trainer an opportunity to encourage the athlete on a more personal level. “Those are the kids that we see on a regular basis,” Willard said. “Most of them want to get better, but we have to figure out whether those kids truly have problems that are recurring or if they like the fact the fact that most high schoolers that they can use this place as a crutch.” are minors, while college Senior cross country runner students tend to be adults. Anna Runion is one of the “It’s a completely different students Willard and Biggs see animal in many ways,” Willard most frequently. Because she said. “The number one thing is was born with an extra bone that we have less control over in her foot, running can be kids. At a college, you work a pain, and finding the right with young adults, so you don’t need to involve parents as much, encouragement and treatment is whereas here we have to be very crucial to her in recovery. “I appreciate how kind and careful about what we say and do because almost everyone is a funny Bruce and Lindsey are,” Runion said. “I’m really close minor.” Willard adjusted to this change with both of them, so I like to go and talk to them a lot. I want by altering his approach to be people to realize that they’re a able to treat many patients in a really good resource and they’re short period of time. Although college schedules typically allow really good at what they do. I students to plan around classes, think some people don’t use those resources as much as they high schoolers are all bound to could, but they’re definitely the same, fixed schedule. there to help anyone who needs “In the high school setting, them.” we see everybody after school,” winter we’ll kind of stay in here [the athletic training office] as our home hub. If there’s not an event, we’ll get out a little after 6 and go home to relax, but if there’s an event then we’re here until the event is over.” In spite of the commitment necessary, Willard said it was less than that required at a college level, where he worked for several years. Another difference between the levels is
November 2021
