4th Observation

On Wednesday afternoon, I attended another athletic training clinical rotation. The rotation was from three to five. I came into the rotation at 4:30 p.m. and stayed until 5:00 p.m. I was only able to observe during this time because I had class. The rotation was in the athletic training facility room in the University Center. The students learned how to tape student athletes. Taping is important because athletic trainers have to know how to treat or prevent sport injuries. The learned these specific taping techniques which include figure 8s, heelocks, and basketweaving. Figure 8s or figure-of-8 bandage is a bandage that is applied to the limb in two segments. The reason why it is called figure of 8 because the pattern resembles the number eight. Heelocks are applications of tape to the ankle around the Achilles tendon which ensures support to the injured area. Basketweaving is similar to the other procedures except that it leaves the top of the foot unconvered. Taping is a difficult procedure because either the tape tears or steps can be done incorrectly,and the best thing to do is to keep practicing. Some students had difficulty with the exercise but Kim, athletic training student, was able to succesfully complete the tasks without error. I noticed that she is a very dedicated student because she know that the program is very competitive, and she would like to advance to the next level. I have been to two rotations they have both been similar because they were instructional. I initially thought athletic training major was not difficult, but after attending two rotations and a class, I realized that these students have to balance four hour rotations which include intense exercises and remembering every anatomical structure in the body. I hope to attend this saturday's basketball so that I can the trainers from another view and I will interview another athletic trainer, Larry Sheldrup.