AT IQ: How Do Athletic Trainers Impact Treatment

1. What does the acronym R.I.C.E. stand for?

A) Raise, Isolate, Correct, Evaluate

B) Retain, Improve, Cancel, Examine

C) Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation

D) Really Improve, Continue Experiences

The acronym R.I.C.E. stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Your athletic trainer may recommend this type of treatment for a muscle, joint or ligament injury as a way to relieve pain, control swelling and help promote early healing.

2. True or False: Athletes can use Athletico’s virtual free assessment to have pain or injuries checked out by an athletic trainer via a secure online video chat.

True

False

Athletico’s virtual free assessment allows you to have your pain or injury checked out by one of Athletico’s experts virtually. For instance, student athletes who sustain a non-emergency injury at a practice or game without an athletic trainer on site can request a virtual free assessment to speak with one of our healthcare professionals about their condition.

3. Which of these injuries should athletes go see their athletic trainer for?

A) Abdominal pain

B) Bleeding

C) Limited range of motion

D) All of the above

Any sign of injury is a good reason to seek out your athletic trainer. In fact, a good piece of advice is, “when in doubt, seek your AT out.” After all, athletic trainers are skilled in evaluation and diagnosis, which allows them to distinguish between emergent and non-emergent situations.

4. True of False: Heat is best to use on the first day or soreness for acute injuries.

True

False

Ice is typically recommended for acute injuries (think R.I.C.E.). However, as you work further into healing, heat may be recommended prior to activity – followed by ice after activity. If you have questions about ice vs. heat therapy, make sure to ask your athletic trainer.

5. How do athletic trainers prepare for injuries that may happen during a game or practice?

A) By following a previously established emergency action plan.

B) By getting to the sporting event 15 minutes early.

C) By asking athletes to warm up before activity.

D) By making sure every athlete has a water bottle.

Athletic trainers create emergency action plans and go through them with coaches, administrators and players so that everyone can be prepared in the case of an emergency situation. This is important because athletic trainers are usually the first medical personnel on site for an injury at a high school, collegiate, professional and even recreational events.