Coaches have come to accept them, even as fans still don’t completely understand them.

Certified athletic trainers work on the front lines of athletic events, providing everything from injury prevention to emergency care to clinical diagnosis.

And while seeing certified athletic trainers at the youth and high school levels is becoming more common, finances and availability make it difficult for some organizations to hire them. Those that do, though, are seeing the benefits.

Certified athletic trainers are health care professionals. They spend years in college studying their craft and work hard learning their trade, which includes assessment and care for injuries, illness, first aid and emergencies. It also encompasses human anatomy, physiology, therapeutic modalities, nutrition, rehabilitation and administration.

COMING SOON: This is the first in a series of health and safety blogs with the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society

There is an extensive clinical rotation experience, and many athletic trainers obtain master’s degrees as well. Many states require a license to be an athletic trainer.

Athletic trainers are found in a wide variety of settings. They can work in hospitals, industrial complexes, physical therapy clinics, high schools, middle schools, colleges and professional athletics.

Having an athletic trainer present can ensure proper care to young athletes, proper referrals to appropriate physicians and rehabilitation for injuries.

Athletic trainers work with players day-to-day on injury care and prevention, building a level of trust. It’s this trust that carries throughout the season with the coach, parent and athletic trainer to ensure proper care when an emergency situation occurs.

For more information on athletic training please visit www.pfats.com.

Kellen Norris enters his third season with the Indianapolis Colts as a full-time assistant athletic trainer. Norris started with the team as a summer intern from 2007-09 before working as a seasonal intern from 2011-12. He then worked as an assistant athletic trainer for the Indiana State University football team in 2013. Norris will serve his first year on the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society USA Football Committee Chair in 2016. He earned a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Indiana State in 2009 and a master’s degree in athletic training from West Virginia University in 2011.