For student-athletes, summer's dead period may feel like a welcome break from practices and competitions. For Athletic Trainers, it's a chance to recharge, prepare, and get ready for another busy school year.
"Being off has been great," Salmon said. "I've been able to get recharged, catch up on sleep, and just spend time with family and friends."
Aaron Swain, beginning his 12th year at McCracken County High School, uses the time to reconnect with family.
"I do a lot of nothing," Swain joked. "It really is a recharge break for me... I try to do as little as possible and just recharge, spend time with family, and travel if I can."
For second-year Murray High Athletic Trainer Macey Turley, the dead period is also a time to prepare.
"It's a good little two-week break," Turley said. "Basically what I do is get everything prepared for when these athletes come back."
While many people only notice Athletic Trainers during injuries, the three say much of their work happens behind the scenes. They monitor weather conditions using Wet Bulb Globe Temperature guidelines, coordinate practice modifications for heat and lightning, communicate with coaches and parents, document injuries electronically, and often serve as trusted mentors for student-athletes.
"We do pretty much everything," Salmon said. "People see us do water, tape ankles, and run on the field, but they don't see a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff."
Swain also noted how concussion care has evolved during his career.
"Concussion care has changed a lot," he said. "We're not ever going to mess around with someone's head... we always err on the side of caution."
As another school year begins, Athletic Trainers will once again be working behind the scenes—protecting athletes, supporting coaches, and helping schools navigate everything from heat safety to injury recovery. Read the full story here!
The dead period gives Athletic Trainers time to recover from the demands of the school year, prepare equipment and documentation, update emergency plans, and get ready for fall sports.
Many schools use Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) guidelines, which account for temperature, humidity, sun angle, and wind speed to determine whether practices should be modified or canceled.
Beyond treating injuries, Athletic Trainers monitor weather conditions, communicate with parents and physicians, document care, coordinate return-to-play plans, and often provide emotional support for student-athletes.
Athletic Training has become increasingly technology-driven with electronic documentation, enhanced concussion protocols, updated environmental safety guidelines, and a greater emphasis on evidence-based care.
Related Topics
Athletic Trainers, High School Athletics, Heat Safety, Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), Concussion Management, Athletic Training Documentation, Student-Athlete Safety, Sports Medicine, Emergency Action Planning, Athletic Training Technology
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