How do you evaluate if an athlete is ready to be back in the game?
"I have been trained in athlete evaluation and understand that there are checklists and procedures that need to be followed before moving an athlete back into their sport."
"I will first ask, how strong is their neuromuscular control and what is their movement like? Lastly, for each sport, I have a series of exercises that I will ask the athlete to perform. All of this needs to be 100% before I can put them back in the game."
The interviewer would like to know how you gauge and athletes readiness to return to the game. As an athletic trainer, you will be responsible for ensuring that your athletes do not return to their sport too soon. Assure the interviewer that you are capable of making a critical call like this.
"When I need to assess an athlete's readiness to return to the game, I will consider a few factors. I want their personal opinion; how close to their original self, do they feel? I also compare their athletic performance from the start of therapy, to present."
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Anonymous Answer
There are a few factors to consider when making a decision to return an athlete into the game. To determine how severe the injury is, we need to conduct muscle testing, ROM/flexibility, pain scale tests, etc. Secondly, we need to ask the athlete how he or she feels. Lastly, I have the athlete perform sport-specific drills to assess whether he or she can perform without any restrictions or complications. In addition, I consider the time of the season and at times will get other coaches' opinions after describing the athlete's condition.
Rachelle's Feedback
Fantastic response! You are very detailed, and this reply shows the interviewer that you have a strong level of knowledge on the topic. Great work.
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