BEHIND IN TRAINING; CALIFORNIA PUTS TOO MUCH BURDEN ON COACHES; STUDENTS ARE HELPING DEAL WITH MINOR INJURIES.

Byline: Rizza Yap / Daily News Staff Writer

Both are known for warm weather and beaches, but Hawaii's got something California doesn't - full-time athletic trainers required by law to work with public high school sports programs.

Washington, D.C., has them, too, according to the National Athletic Trainers Association. Although not mandated, most schools in Arizona, Ohio and other Eastern states hire full-time trainers. But California, said the Cal State Northridge head athletic trainer, is ``behind the times.''

``California is slow moving because we have more schools, we have more athletes, and we have less money,'' said Rhonda Lowry, the Matadors trainer.

Without trainers, coaches often find themselves trying to fill the need.

``A coach is so busy, we can't be all things to the athletes,'' said Al Weil, softball coach at Hart High. ``Trainers are definitely needed. Any money (invested in them) would be well spent.''

Trainers do more than tape ankles. They are vital in preventing injuries, rehabilitation and conditioning.

In California, an athletic trainer with 2-5 years experience makes about $27,500 a year. The nationwide average salary for a full-time certified athletic trainer in high school is $31,000.

A certified trainer, at minimum, has a bachelor's degree in athletic training or a similar field such as exercise science. By comparison, coaches usually receive periodic training in first aid (every three years) and CPR (once a year).

``Certified athletic trainers have had extensive training and it's unfair to put that kind of responsibility on the coach,'' said Julie Max, former director for athletic training in California. ``It's a disservice to the coach and it's very unfair to the student athletes.''

Some coaches, however, don't seem to mind the extra work needed to help them enforce safety in their programs.

Jim Bauer, Littlerock High football coach, will attend a four-hour seminar on Wednesday with other Golden League football coaches to learn more about head and neck injuries. The session will in part be conducted by chiropractor Dr. Dan Massari of Lancaster and Sherman Oaks orthopedist Dr. Dominick Sisto, who have both been sideline physicians for more than a decade.

``In the Golden League, not every school has a trainer, and coaches are responsible for injured athletes,'' Massari said. ``We want to educate the coaches, give them training to recognize injuries.''

Bauer said he hasn't seen any serious injuries during his eight years at Littlerock. Players undergo the occasional bumps, bruises and sprains. Five years ago, a member of the team dislocated and fractured his wrist and had to sit out the rest of the season. Before coaching at Littlerock, Bauer saw players suffer season-ending knee injuries. But he said that his son is more likely to suffer an injury riding a skateboard than a student playing football.

``As coaches, safety is a number one priority,'' Bauer said. ``Our job is not to win. Our job is to use athletics as our classroom to teach values and team building. Injuries are a very crappy part of it. But we're in a kid business and we're not going to do anything to jeopardize the kid.''

Actually, football - which usually generates more injuries than other sports since it boasts the largest number of participants - is the program most likely to have a trainer at every game. About 1 million high school students play the sport each year, said Dr. Fred Mueller, chairman of physical education at the University of North Carolina.

Mueller works with the National Interscholastic Federation in compiling statistics on catastrophic and major high school injuries. Of 82 deaths between 1982 and 1996, 56 were football-related (because of head and neck trauma) and 12 were from track incidents (mostly pole vaulting). Mueller said he recorded 196 permanent disabilities and 212 serious injuries (major problems followed by complete recovery).

Studies dating back to the 1960s show that many injuries in the high school level were repeat injuries due to improper rehabilitation, Mueller said.

``It may be due to schools not having any trainers in charge of deciding when a kid goes back to play,'' he said.

Chuck Brown, girls' basketball coach at Thousand Oaks High School, recognizes the importance of trainers.

``Coaches are not doctors, we don't have medical expertise to make those diagnoses,'' he said. ``When trainers are around, it takes a lot of pressure off the coach. I wouldn't have to be dividing my time between the game and the player.''

Thousand Oaks and Westlake high schools actually have a student athletic training program, in which students work with part-time athletic trainer Dan Wick, who is contracted by the Conejo Valley school district. If Wick can't be at the game, the student trainers are sent to help out.

``Most of what we see (in girls' basketball) are sprained ankles,'' Brown said. ``Usually, it's just a matter of getting ice on it and getting it elevated. For minor injuries, those student trainers are very valuable.''

HELPFUL HINTS

The National Association of Athletic Trainers said these measures can help high school athletes avoid injuries:

Screening: Athletes should undergo a thorough preseason physical exam, including general and orthopedic screenings.

Conditioning: They should start a conditioning program at least six weeks before the start of daily practice. During the season, warm up and stretch properly before a workout, practice or competition.

Diet: Maintain a balanced diet, observing the four basic food groups.

Equipment/facilities: Make sure equipment fits properly, and wear it in practice and during competition. Also, check facilities carefully. Is there a hole in the soccer field? Does the pole vault pit have the proper mats?

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

PHOTO Too often in California, football coaches have to deal with player injuries.

Terri Thuente / Daily News

BOX: HELPFUL HINTS (see text)