Certified athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in preventing, recognizing, managing, and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity. As part of a complete health care team, the certified athletic trainer works under the direction of a licensed physician, and in cooperation with other health care professionals, athletic administrators, coaches, and parents. Students who want to become certified athletic trainers must earn a degree from an accredited athletic training curriculum. Accredited programs include formal instruction in areas such as injury/illness prevention, first aid and emergency care, assessment of injury/illness, human anatomy and physiology, therapeutic modalities, and nutrition. Classroom learning is enhanced thought clinical education experiences. More than 70 percent of certified athletic trainers hold at least a Master’s Degree. To become certified athletic trainers, students must pass a comprehensive test administered by the Board of Certification. Once certified, they must meet ongoing continuing education requirements in order to remain certified.

Here are some helpful links:
http://www.nata.org/consumer/docs/Factsaboutathletictrainers.pdf
http://www.nata.org/consumer/heatillnesses.htm
http://www.nata.org/consumer/sprainsandstrains.htm
http://www.nata.org/consumer/rice.htm
http://www.nata.org/consumer/overuse.htm