Athletic training: an allied health profession -- Professional practice and work environments -- Historical perspectives -- Getting started: educational requirements for athletic training -- Clinical experience and fieldwork in athletic training -- Resources for the athletic training student -- Understanding athletic injury: terminology and classification -- Skin wounds, blood-borne pathogens, and universal precautions -- Emergency planning, evaluation, and initial care -- Environmental concerns -- Common injuries to the lower extremity -- Common injuries to the upper extremity -- Common injuries to the head, face, and spine -- General medical conditions and common injuries to the abdomen and thorax -- Looking ahead -- Advice and wisdom for the athletic training student