---
title: "Proving the Value of Athletic Trainers: What the Data Really Show"
description: Athletic Trainers provide weeks of skilled, cost-effective care for sports injuries, saving schools money and reducing costs while keeping athletes healthy and active.
---

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# [Proving the Value of Athletic Trainers: What the Data Really Show](https://blog.healthyroster.com/blog/proving-the-value-of-athletic-trainers-what-the-data-really-show)

 Written by [Tim Clark](https://blog.healthyroster.com/blog/author/tim-clark) | Sep 19, 2025 1:10:09 PM

A new study published in the *Journal of Sports Rehabilitation* ([Sniffen et al., 2025](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/393693642_Treatment_and_Cost_Characteristics_of_Athletic_Training_Services_in_Secondary_Schools_for_Knee_and_Ankle_Cases)) analyzed 619 cases of knee and ankle injuries documented by high school Athletic Trainers between 2014 and 2019 through the National Athletic Treatment, Injury and Outcomes Network (NATION).

**Key findings:**

- Median estimated total cost of care:
  
    - **$124.20 for knee injuries**
    - **$148.58 for ankle injuries**
- The most common services provided were **therapeutic exercises** and **ankle strapping**.
- Costs varied by severity, but overall remained **far lower than previous reports** from hospital-based care.

These numbers reflect only the direct services provided on-site by ATs, showing that even complex injuries are being managed affordably within schools—preventing unnecessary referrals and medical expenses.

## Knee Injuries Demand Intensive, Skilled Care

A companion study from the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network ([Lam et al., 2023](https://nata.kglmeridian.com/view/journals/attr/aop/article-10.4085-1062-6050-0587.24/article-10.4085-1062-6050-0587.24.xml?body=FullText)) looked at 441 sport-related knee injuries treated by ATs across 95 sites nationwide between 2009–2020.

**Key findings:**

- Knee injuries required a **median of 8 visits and 16 services** per case, spanning about **23 days**.
- Common services included **therapeutic exercise (29.8%)**, **hot/cold packs (25.8%)**, and **therapeutic activities (11.2%)**.
- The **median total cost per case was $564** (about **$73 per visit**).

Knee injuries were most often cruciate ligament sprains, MCL sprains, or meniscal tears—injuries known to be severe, time-intensive, and expensive if referred out. The data show ATs managing these injuries safely, consistently, and at a fraction of the cost of outside care.

## Why This Matters: ATs Are Healthcare Providers

These studies confirm what Athletic Trainers have known all along: their work isn’t just injury “coverage”—it’s legitimate healthcare.

ATs evaluate injuries, implement rehab plans, and track recovery over weeks. Their on-site care **prevents ER visits, reduces time lost from sport, and saves schools and families thousands of dollars.** And yet, much of their work goes unbilled and uncounted.

As Sniffen and colleagues noted:

*“These findings highlight the worth of athletic training services… and underscore the need for improved documentation and cost data collection to further demonstrate the economic value of athletic training services.”*

 

## Building Your Case for Support

If you’re ever asked to justify your role, this is the evidence you can point to:

- ATs deliver **weeks of skilled healthcare** for common sports injuries.
- They do it for **a fraction of the cost** of external medical care.
- Their presence **reduces injury severity, speeds return to play, and lowers long-term medical costs**.
- Their work **protects athletes, schools, and communities** from avoidable risk and liability.

Simply put: **Athletic Trainers are not an expense—they are an essential investment in athlete health and safety.**

While these studies were not designed to measure return on investment, their findings on treatment and cost characteristics help illustrate the broader value Athletic Trainers provide as healthcare professionals.

[View full post](https://blog.healthyroster.com/blog/proving-the-value-of-athletic-trainers-what-the-data-really-show)

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