Lee Health: Athletic trainers support student-athletes

Student-athletes have a lot on their plates as they balance the demands of their sport and their studies. Through a partnership with The School District of Lee County, a team of Lee Health athletic trainers help student-athletes throughout our community stay safe and healthy.

According to our experts, there are five key domains of athletic training, including:

Injury and illness prevention and wellness promotion
Examination, assessment and diagnosis.
Immediate and emergency care.
Therapeutic intervention.
Organization and administration of the athletic training program.

“The expertise of our athletic trainers in handling medical emergencies and managing recovery process, including ensuring athletes return to play only when they are physically and mentally ready, is vital for the overall success and safety of student-athletes,” explains Jessica Pasternack, MS, LAT, ATC, FMS, lead athletic trainer for Lee Health.

Form football, basketball, wresting and lacrosse to weightlifting, soccer, swimming and diving, volleyball, cheerleading, golf and more, Jessica says schools can roster up to 39 teams if they have every sport and level. That’s a lot of games and practices.

“We have 12 Lee Health athletic trainers, plus four employed by the school district, covering all 15 Lee County public high schools,” Jessica says. “Each school has at least one athletic training room that our athletic trainers work out of to perform student-athlete evaluations and rehabilitation each day.”

This program—which began in 2015 with three Lee Health athletic trainers—has grown to meet the needs of young athletes throughout our community.

“Our athletic trainers most important goal is to ensure the safety and health of the athletes under their care,” Jessica says. “They are focused on helping athletes perform at their best while minimizing the risk of injury and supporting their long-term health and wellness.”

The athletic training program is an important offering from the Lee Health Musculoskeletal Institute experts for the health and well-being of our community.

Larry Antonucci, M.D., MBA is the president & CEO of Lee Health, Southwest Florida’s major destination for health care offering acute care, emergency care, rehabilitation and diagnostic services, health and wellness education, and community outreach and advocacy programs. Visit LeeHealth.org to learn more.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Lee Health: Athletic trainers support student-athletes

Topics

Newsom breaks with party on transgender athletes in women's sports, sparking backlash

California's Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, an LGBTQ ally, broke with his party, saying that transgender athletes playing in female sports is "deeply unfair."
ABC News - Mar. 8
Rep. Roae wants study, reform of PIAA in wake of fight

HARRISBURG — State Rep. Brad Roae has reiterated his support for a Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) study of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA). Roae, a ...
Yahoo Sports - 3d
How do athletes manage sleep, and how can you improve yours?

For World Sleep Day, BBC Sport examines how athletes get their shut eye and explores the best sleep hygiene tips
Yahoo Sports - 3d
How do athletes manage sleep, and how can you improve yours?

For World Sleep Day, BBC Sport examines how athletes get their shut eye and explores the best sleep hygiene tips
BBC News - 3d
Watkins becomes first women’s college athlete to sign with Fanatics sports merchandise platform

The Fanatics and Fanatics Collectibles sports merchandise platforms announced a multi-year deal Friday with Southern California women's basketball star JuJu Watkins. Fanatics said Watkins is the ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Schiff on transgender athletes: Confident that 'local communities' can 'make decisions' to ensure sports 'safe,' 'fair'

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said Sunday he’s confident local communities can make their own decisions about whether to let trans athletes participate in women’s sports in a way that is “safe” and ...
The Hill - Mar. 9
Men’s Tennis Injuries Are Spiking. Is It Part of a Broader Sports Trend?

A number of sports leagues face the same issue: Modern playing styles that put increased physical demands on athletes’ bodies are contributing to an increase in injuries. The average NBA star ...
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Paredes reacts to Roma’s loss to Athletic: “It hurts but we must move forward.”

Leandro Paredes spoke to Sky Sport at the end of the match in Bilbao where Roma suffered a 3-1 loss to Athletic.“We are disappointed and sad, we wanted to play a different game,” he said. “It’...
Yahoo Sports - 3d
Two swimmers, basketball player and diver battle for Athlete of Week

Two swimmers, a girls basketball player and a diver have been nominated for Monroe County Region Athlete of the Week for March 10-16.
Yahoo Sports - 1d