Clinical Foundations of Athletic Training and Sports Medicine 2nd Edition

Clinical Foundations of Athletic Training and Sports Medicine, Second Edition, builds upon an undergraduate understanding of health and exercise sciences to instill an evidence-based, graduate-level knowledge of best practices in athletic training and health care. The full-color text is supported by research, medical guidelines, and National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) statements, and it aligns with the 2020 Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) standards (updated in December 2025).

Formerly titled Athletic Training and Therapy: Foundations of Behavior and Practice, the revised title reflects a renewed focus on the practical skills that prepare students to provide high-quality patient care. Contemporary concepts not often found in other introductory texts—such as cultural literacy, interprofessional practice, administrative management, and special populations—are presented to give students comprehensive knowledge of the field. Students will explore the breadth of athletic training and sports medicine, from mental health and nutrition guidelines to guidance for treating military populations.

Throughout the text, sidebars highlight important information regarding evidence-based practice and foundational skills. Clinical Application boxes further contextualize the content for students with real-world situations. The second edition of Clinical Foundations of Athletic Training and Sports Medicine contains a wealth of updates:

• A new section on AI usage in health care helps students understand the ethical implications and real-world application of these new technologies.
• An expanded chapter on mental health allows students to build knowledge and apply a holistic approach to patient care.
• More information is provided on nutritional needs and how they differ between male and female patients.
• Information on safety regulations has been updated, including new coverage of neck lacerations in hockey.

Students will gain access to online tools such as flash cards and the Athletic Training Clinical Resource, which contains essential information such as normal lab values, vital sign norms, ICD 10 and CPT code lists, and approved medical abbreviations.

As a leading information provider in athletic training, Human Kinetics is known for high-quality educational texts. The first edition of Clinical Foundations of Athletic Training and Sports Medicine was featured on the Board of Certification (BOC) exam reference list for multiple years. A cross-sectional study published in Athletic Training Education Journal identified the text as demonstrating the most diverse patient and clinician image representation from among 20 textbooks.

Clinical Foundations of Athletic Training and Sports Medicine, Second Edition, offers a broad, competency-based educational foundation for graduate students in athletic training. The text highlights current concepts and the need to enhance team-based care, with an emphasis on the foundational knowledge students will need to successfully complete the BOC certification exam.

Audience

Textbook for graduate athletic training courses.

Part I. Foundations of Professional Practice
Chapter 1. Athletic Training and the Health Care Team
Becoming an Athletic Trainer
Interprofessional Approach to Health Care Delivery
Athletic Trainers as Members of Health Care Teams
Athletic Training History

Chapter 2. Evidence-Based Practice and Basic Research Principles
Definition of Evidence-Based Practice
Research Design and Levels of Evidence
Qualitative and Quantitative Research
Critical Appraisal of the Literature
Applying Evidence-Based Practice
Understanding Diagnostic Tests
Research Ethics and Institutional Review Board
Clinical Bottom Line

Chapter 3. Public Health and Athletic Training
Defining Public Health
Intersection of Athletic Training and Public Health
Sequence of Prevention
Clinical Bottom Line

Chapter 4. Cultural Literacy in Patient-Centered Care
Patient-Centered Care Definition
Person-First Language
Group Identities
Culture, Ethnicity, and Personal Core Values
Race
Professional Culture and Core Values
Stereotypes
Privilege
Microaggressions
Adverse Childhood Experiences
Social Determinants of Health
Cultural Competence
Clinical Bottom Line

Chapter 5. Health Care Administration and Health Care Informatics
Organizational Structure
Health Care Administration and Management
Major Health Policy and Privacy Legislation
Quality Assurance
Documentation and Medical Records
Insurance, Third-Party Reimbursement, and Billing
Clinical Bottom Line

Chapter 6. Management, Planning, and Professional Development
Operational Management and Leadership
Planning
Facility Planning
Budgeting
Purchasing
Risk Management
Advocacy
Clinical Bottom Line

Part II. Injury and Illness Prevention and Wellness Promotion
Chapter 7. Blood-Borne Pathogens
Means of Pathogen Entry
Common Pathogens
Exposure Control Plan
Exposure Incident
Training
Clinical Bottom Line

Chapter 8. Prevention Strategies and Procedures
Preparticipation Physical Examination
Thermoregulatory Mechanisms
Hyperthermia
Hypothermia and Cold-Related Conditions
Lightning
Ergonomics
Clinical Bottom Line

Chapter 9. Fitness and Wellness
Role of Exercise in Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle
Definition of Exercise
Standardized Testing in Fitness and Wellness
Designing a Fitness Program
Instructing a Patient Through Fitness Exercise
Safety Precautions and Hazards
Clinical Bottom Line

Chapter 10. General Nutrition Concepts and Sports Nutrition
Energy and Nutrition Needs
Macronutrients
Micronutrients
Fluids
Nutrition for Optimal Healing
Low Energy Availability
Dietary Supplements
Clinical Bottom Line

Chapter 11. Protective Equipment
Legal Issues
Basic Application of Protective Equipment
Emergency Removal of Protective Equipment
Clinical Bottom Line

Chapter 12. Taping and Bracing
Legal Issues
Principles of Prophylactic Procedures
Common Types of Protective Padding
Clinical Bottom Line

Part III. Immediate and Emergency Care
Chapter 13. Emergency Planning in Health Care
Components of an Emergency Action Plan
Policies and Procedures
Developing an Emergency Action Plan
Special Considerations
Clinical Bottom Line

Chapter 14. Acute Care and Emergency Procedures
Principles of Emergency Assessment
Moving and Transporting the Injured or Ill Patient
Emergency Interventions
Clinical Bottom Line

Part IV. Injury and Illness Evaluation
Chapter 15. Pathophysiology of Musculoskeletal and Nerve Injury
Soft Tissue Injury
Bone Injury
Nerve Injury
Clinical Bottom Line

Chapter 16. Clinical Diagnosis and Medical Referral
Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis
History
Observation
Palpation
Special Tests
Additional Assessment Components
Variations in the Assessment Process
On-the-Field Injury Assessment
Concussion Evaluation
Clinical Prediction Rule
Medical Referral
Documentation and Communication of the Injury Evaluation
Clinical Bottom Line

Chapter 17. Medical Imaging
Radiologic Science and Its Roles in Imaging
Medical Imaging
Computed Tomography
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Ultrasound or Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Nuclear Medicine
Imaging Life Cycle
Clinical Bottom Line

Chapter 18. Commonly Encountered Medical Conditions in Athletic Training
Tim Braun, PhD, LAT, ATC, CSCS
Examination Process
Diagnostic Tests
Infectious Diseases
Respiratory System Conditions
Cardiovascular System Conditions
Gastrointestinal System Conditions
Genitourinary Systems Conditions
Nervous System Conditions
Eye Conditions
Ear, Nose, Throat, and Mouth Conditions
Systemic Disorders
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Gonorrhea
Dermatological Conditions
Clinical Bottom Line

Chapter 19. Psychosocial Interventions in Athletic Training Health Care
Jennifer Ostrowski, PhD, LAT, ATC
Prevalence of Psychosocial Disorders
Common Mental Health Disorders
Psychological Response to Injury
Psychosocial Interventions
Clinical Bottom Line

Chapter 20. Special Populations
Tactical Athletes
Masters Athletes
Pediatric Athletes
Pregnant Athletes
Introduction to Disability
Athletes With Visual Impairments and Blindness
Deaf Athletes and Athletes With Hearing Loss
Athletes With Amputations
Athletes With Spinal Cord Injury
Autonomic Dysreflexia
Athletes With Cerebral Palsy
Athletes With Intellectual Disabilities
Athletes With Les Autres
Clinical Bottom Line

Part V. Therapeutic and Medical Interventions
Chapter 21. Therapeutic Modalities and Interventions
Thermal Modalities
Electrical Modalities
Electromagnetic Modalities
Sound Modalities
Mechanical Modalities
Soft-Tissue Mobilization
Evolving and Emerging Therapeutic Modalities
Purchasing and Maintaining Equipment
Clinical Bottom Line

Chapter 22. Therapeutic Exercise in Rehabilitation
Therapeutic Exercise Overview
Physical Inactivity and Immobilization
Rehabilitation Program Essentials
Rehabilitation Phases Based on Tissue Healing
Therapeutic Strengthening, Endurance, and Power Exercises
Neuromuscular Control
Practitioner-Assisted Therapeutic Exercise
Joint Mobilization 
Purchasing and Maintaining Therapeutic Exercise Equipment
Clinical Bottom Line

Chapter 23. Pharmacological Interventions
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
Legal Issues and Regulations
Managing a Formulary
Drug Testing
Common Medications in Athletic Training
Antibiotics
Commonly Abused Drugs and Supplements
Special Considerations
Clinical Bottom Line

Chapter 24. Casting
Basic Principles
Materials for Application
General Application Tips
Cast Removal Procedures
Postcasting Care Considerations
Special Considerations
Clinical Bottom Line

Appendix. Standard Medical Terminology and Abbreviations
Glossary
References
Index
 

Leamor Kahanov, EdD, ATC, LAT, is the president of Notre Dame de Namur University. She previously served as provost of Alvernia University, Stockton University, and State University of New York (SUNY) at Oneonta and as dean of the College of Health Sciences and Education at Misericordia University. Kahanov has also served as the assistant dean of interprofessional education at Indiana State University and as the graduate and undergraduate athletic training program director at San José State University. She currently serves on the Professional Accreditation Council of the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).

Kahanov earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and athletic training from Indiana University; a master’s degree in exercise and sport sciences from the University of Arizona; and a doctorate in education, curriculum, and instruction from the University of San Francisco. She has authored or coauthored more than 90 articles published in peer-reviewed journals as well as 120 professional presentations.

Ellen K. Payne, PhD, LAT, ATC, EMT, is an associate professor at Moravian University, teaching in the doctor of athletic training program, the master of science in athletic training (MSAT) program, and the undergraduate rehabilitation sciences program. At Moravian University, she serves as the director of clinical education for the MSAT program and as the director of the emergency medical technician (EMT) program. Her previous experience includes teaching athletic training at Radford University and serving as the clinical education coordinator at Marywood University. Prior to becoming an educator, Payne spent six years teaching high school and practicing as an athletic trainer in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Clinically, she has worked with all levels of athletes, from youth sports to professional soccer. In the winter of 2019, she traveled to Spain with the U.S. Paralympic Alpine ski team to serve as their athletic trainer during World Cup racing. Payne is also an EMT with Bethlehem Township EMS and a member of the National Ski Patrol. Her research interests include prehospital emergency care, athletic training education, and concussion education. She has authored more than 50 articles and presentations. She currently serves as an assistant editor for Journal of Athletic Training – Education and Practice and is the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association (EATA) secretary. Payne is a fellow of the National Academies of Practice.

All ancillaries are free to adopting instructors through HKPropel.

Instructor guide. Includes outlines for each chapter, activity ideas, and case studies (with answer keys) that challenge students to apply their knowledge. This edition features 34 check sheets for instructors to help assess students’ clinical skills.

Test package. Contains 40 to 50 questions per chapter that are designed to prepare students to pass the BOC certification exam on the first try. The questions are in true-false, fill-in-the-blank, essay and short-answer, and multiple-choice formats. The files may be downloaded for integration with a learning management system or printed for use as paper-based tests. Instructors may also create their own customized quizzes or tests from the test bank questions

Chapter quizzes. Contains ready-made quizzes (9-10 questions each) to assess student comprehension of the most important concepts in each chapter.

Presentation package. Features PowerPoint slides of text, artwork, and tables from the book that can be used for class discussion and presentation. The slides in the presentation package can be used directly within PowerPoint or printed to make handouts for students. Instructors can easily add, modify, and rearrange the order of the slides.

Image bank. Includes most of the figures, content photos, and tables from the text, sorted by chapter. These can be used in developing a customized presentation based on specific course requirements.