![HR Logo [Recovered]_Full Color Vertical-1](https://blog.healthyroster.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HR%20Logo%20%5BRecovered%5D_Full%20Color%20Vertical-1.png?width=199&height=178&name=HR%20Logo%20%5BRecovered%5D_Full%20Color%20Vertical-1.png)
By
While many students enjoy their summer break, the work of Athletic Trainers never slows down.
At Cabot High School in Arkansas, Head Athletic Trainer Jason Cates and his staff have spent the summer treating injuries, supporting athletic camps and workouts, and preparing for the upcoming fall sports season.
"Sports don't stop, injuries don't stop, so we're here," Cates said. "Band is usually the one that's forgotten about, but they're out here practicing eight hours a day... We're here non-stop for them."
As official practices begin for volleyball, cross country, golf, and tennis, the athletic training staff is already seeing a steady flow of student-athletes through the school's one-year-old sports medicine facility. According to Assistant Athletic Trainer Keith Shireman, two Athletic Trainers may care for 30 to 40 athletes during a single football afternoon.
The facility includes rehabilitation technology designed to support recovery, including a zero-gravity treadmill and infrared laser therapy.
"When the athlete comes and sees us, we can take them in a 30- or 40-minute time, and we can reset their central nervous system to allow them to have a recovery period," Cates said. "We are seeing faster recovery times for our student athletes."
Preparing for fall also means preparing for emergencies. This week, the department is conducting CPR and AED training for coaches, reviewing medications with school nurses, and meeting with team physicians and EMS personnel to review Emergency Action Plans.
"We're meeting with some of our team physicians and our responding EMS to go over our emergency action plans to make sure everybody is ready to go, everybody knows what they're doing," Cates said.
For student-athlete Stratton Young, the presence of an experienced sports medicine staff provides confidence.
"Even if you get injured, you have this amazing facility and amazing staff to get you back in the game and get you right back on your feet," Young said.
