Athletic trainers help area athletes stay safe and healthy

(Above) Athletic Trainer Joe Bedford works on Clear Lake volleyball player Kennadi Colbert before she steps on the court for practice. -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy.

by Michelle Watson

   Back to school is an exciting time for many students.  They are back to classes, reuniting with friends, and if you’re an athlete, heading back to practices and the excitement of competing.  Athletics, however, is not always all fun and games.  Every time an athlete takes the field or court, they put themselves at risk of an injury.

   Injuries in sports, especially football, have gained national attention in recent years.  Concerns about head and neck injuries, and rare fatalities have brought attention to the safety of the athletes.  As part of a state-wide effort, Clear Lake High School, along with the Iowa Athletic Trainers’ Society, are sponsoring a “Safety in Football Campaign.” The campaign’s goal, which runs through Saturday, Sept. 14, is to show why safety in athletics begins with having an athletic trainer.

    Joe Bedford, an athletic trainer at Athletico Physical Therapy, Clear Lake, is helping the community’s athletes to stay safe.  In addition to working at Athletico, Bedford is the coordinator of athletic training services for North Iowa and he is the certified athletic trainer for Clear Lake High School.

“I became an athletic trainer because I was looking for a career in medicine and I have always loved athletics and competition.  Once I found out what an athletic trainer was, it was a perfect mix of both,” said Bedford.  “I love being able to be a resource for athletes when they are hurting, to help them get better and achieve their personal and team goals.”

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According to a study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the presence of athletic trainers in secondary schools lowers overall injury rates, improves diagnosis and return-to-play decisions, and reduces the risk for recurrent injuries.

   Using a medical-based education model, athletic trainers are educated to provide comprehensive patient care in five areas of clinical practice: prevention; clinical evaluation and diagnosis; immediate and emergency care; treatment and rehabilitation; and organization and professional health and well-being.

Bedford provides the Clear Lake school system with invaluable services for its athletes.  He provides medical coverage for high school practices and home games throughout the school year and through summer baseball and softball seasons.  He does everything from caring for medical emergencies, wound care, injury evaluation, stretching programs, hydration/nutrition advice, to rehabilitation of athletic injuries.

“Having Athletico in our sports program is a huge benefit to our student athletes,” said Head Football Coach Jared DeVries.  “They are able to get the best advice and care for those injuries right on site the same day.  The parents can rest easy knowing that their sons and daughters are getting professional medical opinions and care from certified athletic trainers.  Joe has been a huge addition to our coaches and our program.”

  At high school and college football events across Iowa, teams will be donning a small sticker on the back of their helmets.  All Clear Lake High School football players are sporting the sticker on the back of their helmets. The sticker represents the cumulative efforts of these schools and the Iowa Athletic Trainers’ Society to improve the overall safety of all sports in Iowa.

“My main goal as an athletic trainer is to be a medical professional that our athletes and community members can trust and count on to be there for them when they are hurt, or need help to get them back to doing what they love,” said Bedford.

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