Athletic Training

Physical therapists function as physical trainers, educators, sports psychologist, and administrator. Personal qualities include good people skills and ability to adapt. Preparatory courses include athletic training.

PBS NewsHour correspondent Elana Michelle investigates why young athletes are incurring more concussions during team sports. Original broadcast date: April 01, 2013

Understanding exercise physiology is essential to the development of the performer. Factors that affect performance include principles of training, working intensities, fitness testing, training methods, and warming up and cooling down.

Chasing Perfection with host Michael Johnson, an Olympic gold medalist, explores how changes in science have impacted the world of professional sports. Johnson examines the role new technology plays in developing exceptional athletes. In part two of this two-part series, Johnson explores the difference between those who line up on the start line and those who end up on the podium time and time again— serial champions.

Every year it becomes more apparent that mental and physical health are closely intertwined. This program, hosted by noted journalist Garrick Utley, presents research on the link between depression and disease, the brain’s role in athletic performance, and the treatment of chronic pain. Experts from the National Institute of Mental Health, Harvard Medical School, The Salk Institute, and elsewhere share their remarkable findings on topics such as the relationship between depression and platelet clotting, how synapses are hardwired, and the development of a drug to block the encoding of pain memories. The program features segments with singer Judy Collins, who struggles with depression; major league baseball pitcher Orel Hershiser; and Joffrey Ballet dancer Taryn Kaschock, who copes every day with the pain of scoliosis. (57 minutes)

With advances in technology and medicine have come specific strategies for boosting sports performance—and no one is more qualified to explain those methods than professional athletes and their coaches. This program visits the training facilities of eight sports figures from around the world to highlight their expertise and personal experiences in improving performance. Viewers learn about planning an effective training schedule, the importance of psychological preparation, the risks involved with taking performance-enhancing drugs, and the benefits of high-tech measurement in cultivating athletic ability. Viewable/printable educational resources are available online. (20 minutes)

This program gives instruction on choosing and using the right training strategies to ensure maximum performance during physical activity. Topics for discussion include: the three energy systems in the body and each one’s involvement in athletic exertion; types of continuous, interval, and resistance training methods and each one’s effect on the energy systems; and the specificity, duration, frequency, intensity, and diminishing return principles of training. Footage of many sports and events illustrates the topics, providing practice to the theory. (26 minutes)

This Telly Award-winning video dispels ten common myths about eating and sports training, setting the record straight on calories, carbs, protein, hydration, and how to eat for maximum muscle-building and performance. Using a Q&A-style format, Eat to Win eliminates confusion about dieting, under-eating, body image, energy bars and drinks, carbo-loading, caffeine, fruit juices, and how the human body stores energy. Specific guidance using www.MyPyramid.gov is featured. Viewable/printable educational resources are available online. (21 minutes)