Could a piece of the crumbling H2F puzzle be the weak messaging in distinguishing an athletic trainers value and worth through ROI?

Tyler Christensen discusses his interpretation of the evolving role of athletic trainers, particularly in light of the recent changes to the H2F program. Tyler shares his insights from his extensive experience in tactical strength and conditioning, emphasizing the importance of athletic trainers in bridging the injury rehabilitation and performance team, the unique reintegration that ATs bring to the table.

We explore the challenges faced by athletic trainers in promoting their value and the need for a clear return on investment (ROI) to secure their positions within athletic programs. The discussion highlights the necessity for ATs to define their unique contributions to the healthcare team and the importance of collaboration with other professionals in the field.

In this conversation we discuss the evolving role of ATs, particularly in military settings while exploring the financial implications when working with government contracts, the need for better integration within healthcare systems, and the importance of defining roles in human performance. The discussion also highlights the necessity of utilizing data to improve athletic training practices and the need for specialization within the profession. Finally, they address the business aspects of athletic training, emphasizing the importance of demonstrating return on investment (ROI) to secure the future of the profession.

Takeaways from Tyler:1) Clarity is being lost. “Human Performance” is becoming an overused buzzword, blurring the lines between wellness, fitness, and tactical readiness. If you want to protect your profession, define it clearly and communicate its unique value.

2) Stories aren’t strategies. Feel-good narratives have a place, but they don’t influence high-level decision-makers. Show your return on investment. Demonstrate outcomes that matter.

3) Leadership needs to own the message. We must clearly differentiate Human Performance from fitness and wellness programs and stop playing nice in the sandbox. Leadership should champion ROI messaging and draw a clear line in the sand that you are human performance and not wellness/fitness programs.

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