Sports medicine has undoubtedly become one of the fastest growing healthcare fields over the years. In the United States alone, 70% of high schools have athletic training programs to meet this growing interest in the field, and over a third of them have hired full time athletic trainers, according to the National Athletic Trainers Association. Here at Apex Friendship High School, the Sports Medicine class caters to students aspiring to learn more about athletic training. Teachers do this by providing them with real life experience and hands-on instruction.
For students who take the Sports Medicine class with Ms. Yelmini, classwork and testing look very different than in an average classroom. Curriculum-wise, the class covers basic anatomy as well as CPR and first aid. Students also learn about the “prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries occurring in athletics,” according to the application for higher level trainees. As far as testing goes, Alex Sohovich (12), who participates in the Sports Medicine program, says it may be his favorite part of the class. Sohovich says, “I feel like the tests are very different compared to those in your everyday classes..they serve a purpose and you can use this later.” Dustin Veach (12) says, “We are graded on our ability to do all the tapes...and to have an idea of what the injury is and how to quickly treat it.”
The sports medicine program also provides unique opportunities for students outside the classroom. Many trainees attend games for sports such as basketball, football, and baseball. When asked about trainer responsibilities at games, Jordan Smith (12) answers, “We help Ms. Yelmini firsthand on the field. We help provide water for the players and help with injuries and taping or icing.” Sohovich adds “Primarily when timeouts happen we go with waters when they all huddle...if there is an injury, we have what’s called a runner, and that person goes with Ms. Yelmini and the doctor.” All of the senior trainers mentioned how they loved the experience that came with being on the field with the players and getting the opportunity to use direct application of their studies in real time.
Ultimately, the students who participate in the athletic training program hope to gain skills through the class that they can use in the future. Conner Wong (12), says “I think it's something that a lot of us can see ourselves doing in the future as a profession...most of us want to do this in college.” Between the interesting curriculum and real world experience that the sports medicine program provides, along with Ms. Yelmini, the beloved teacher of this class, it should be easy to understand the excitement felt by her students for the healthcare field. Jordan Smith wraps up her statement with an enthusiastic message to other students at AFHS: “Do sports med!”
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