Case Reports on Athletic Training Services at High School in Japan

Abstract

The recognition of importance about athletic training services on youth athletes is increasing and some high schools in Japan hire full-time athletic trainers for improving the quality of their extracurricular activity. However, there are few data on practice characteristics of athletic trainers （AT） and the beneficial effects of AT services in the Japanese high school setting. The purpose of this study was to reveal what athletic trainers in high schools do in their clinical practices by an interview and a self-report. Two athletic trainers participated in this study. Both of them were working at private schools. One was full-time and the other was part-time coverage at their schools. Their main clinical practices were assessment, first-aid, reconditioning, and prevention of athletic injuries and illnesses. In addition to that, educating stakeholders such as student athletes, coaches, teachers, school nurses on athletic injury prevention and management was one of the important role of AT in high school context. This study showed only two cases of AT’s clinical practices in their schools and we need more information regarding full-time ATs in high schools. Moreover, conducting a systematic survey is necessary to determine current AT services in Japanese high schools.