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Once the range of motion is where it should be, the PT focuses on two other key concerns: full strength and full function. Building strength involves a variety of exercises, depending on the body part. Full function means the injured person can do normal activities with ease. But for an athlete, full function means more than just combing his hair or putting on her shoes. For a baseball pitcher, for example, full function means going back to the field and throwing a pitch at 90 miles per hour again. Reaching that level of function requires more rigorous treatment to build strength and flexibility. On the Field, in the Locker Room The work of the athletic trainer, the first line of medical defense in sports, can vary greatly. At the high school level, a trainer usually oversees athletes for all home games and may travel with some teams for away games. At the college level, some schools have individual trainers for major sports, while other trainers might be responsible for several sports. At the pro level, one team usually has several trainers. The major “office” for athletic trainers is the playing field, whether it’s a gym used for basketball or a football stadium.

30 C areers O ff T he F ield • Health Careers in Sports