The Hypocrisy of Amateurism

Sport and recreational activity is a vital part of today's society, and athletic training researchers are playing an important role in gaining a better understanding of how to promote safe and healthy participation for athletes of all ages. This article aims to illustrate the importance of research to prevent and effectively treat sport and recreational injuries. Increased physical activity among Americans is helping to combat chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes, but injuries related to increased activity are on the rise. We must be responsible in our approach to promoting physical activity and participation in sport, while minimizing risk of injury. Athletic training researchers and colleagues from other disciplines within kinesiology, allied health sciences, and medicine must work collaboratively to identify predispositions to athletic injuries and illnesses. They must further conduct prospective studies that will help clinicians better manage these injuries and prevent their recurrence. This article highlights the progress that athletic training researchers have made to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice.