The place of the trainer in modern athletics.

T HE background of athIetic training is Iong and iIIustrious. It had its start with the ancient Greek and Roman athIetic contests, as evidenced in our archeoIogica1 museums. Artists of the time found much of their inspiration in scenes on the gymnasium, palestra, track and fieId. Vases, our most important record, reflect the various phases of the Iife of the athIete. Bronze and marble scuIptures, gems and coins aIso add to our knowIedge. There are many instances recorded on these vases of the aryballos (oil flask), strigi1 (instrument for removing oil and dust from the body after exercise) and sponges [I]. Other specific scenes shown on vases incIude an attendant drawing a thorn from an athlete’s foot [2] and two scenes entitled “WrestIers with their trainer in the palestra.” (Fig. I.) Another, perhaps the first recorded instance of a trainer instructing the principles of fair play, is entitled “Trainer beating with his stick a youth who is gouging his opponent’s eye” [d]. From the time the ancient Greeks pitched their tents on the pIains of the EIis in the dim centuries of the past and brought together the young men of their Iand in the first of all 01,vmpic games, unti1 their modern reviva1 in 1896 and down through recent times, the trainer has been an important factor in keeping the athlete in condition for top performance. Through the years the duties and qualifications of the trainers have changed in the same manner that the three R’s of “reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic ” have changed to the present “rockets, radiation, and rock and roI1.” The crude methods of the oId-time trainers have become a thing of the past. The day of “the rubber,” the know-it-a11 jack-of-aII-trades and master of none, is over. Following WorId War I the athIetic trainer as a specialist in the prevention of injurg made his appearance in intercoIIegiate athletics. It was at this time, 1917, that Dr. S. E. BiIik pubIished the first text devoted excIusiveIy to athIetic training and the treatment of athIetic injuries [$$I. Other exceIlent publications have appeared since [T-ro]. The trainer today must have a sound understanding of the human body and be a keen and unbiased observer of the body in action. He must know a good dea1 about physioIogy, kinesioIogy, psychoIogy, hygiene, massage, conditioning, therapeutic exercise, diet and the various modalities of physica therapy. In addition, he is the father confessor of the squad. In a recent study “Red” Burnett, Trainer a.t Utah State University [II], found that very IittIe research had been done on the history and background of athIetic training. He further stated that there were many hooks and pamphlets on training methods but none eIaborated on the duties of the trainer or what his qualifications shouId be. I am happy to report that steps have been taken to remedy this situation by the National Athletic Trainers Association (N.A.T.A.) [12]. This organization was founded In Kansas City, Missouri, on June 24, 1950. Its objectives are : I. To advance, encourage and improve the athletic training profession in a11 its phases and to promote a better working relationship among those persons interested in the problems of training. 2. To deveIop further the abiIity of each of its members. 3. To better serve the common interest of its members by providing means for a free exchange of ideas within the profession. 4. To enabIe members to become better acquainted personaIIy through casual good feIIowship. At the present time there are six classes of membership: active, associate, aIIied, advisory,