As used in this article 205, unless the context
otherwise requires:
(1) Accredited athletic training education program means a program of
instruction in athletic training that is offered by an institution of higher education
and accredited by a national, regional, or state agency recognized by the United
States secretary of education, or any other accredited program approved by the
director.
(2) Athlete means a person who, in association with an educational
institution, an organized community sports program or event, or a professional,
amateur, or recreational organization or sports club, participates in games, sports,
recreation, or exercise requiring physical strength, flexibility, range of motion,
speed, stamina, or agility.
(3) Athletic trainer means a person engaged in the practice of athletic
training.
(4) (a) Athletic training means the performance of those services that
require the education, training, and experience required by this article 205 for
licensure as an athletic trainer pursuant to section 12-205-108. Athletic training
includes services appropriate for the prevention, recognition, assessment,
management, treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning of injuries and illnesses
sustained by an athlete:
(I) Who is engaged in sports, games, recreation, or exercise requiring
physical strength, flexibility, range of motion, speed, stamina, or agility; or
(II) That affect an athlete's participation or performance in sports, games,
recreation, or exercise as described in subsection (4)(a)(I) of this section.
(b) Athletic training includes:
(I) Planning, administering, evaluating, and modifying methods for prevention
and risk management of injuries and illnesses;
(II) Identifying an athlete's medical conditions and disabilities and
appropriately caring for or referring an athlete as appropriate;
(III) Recognizing, assessing, treating, managing, preventing, rehabilitating,
reconditioning, and appropriately referring to another health-care provider to treat
injuries and illnesses;
(IV) Using therapeutic modalities for which the athletic trainer has received
appropriate training and education;
(V) Using conditioning and rehabilitative exercise;
(VI) Using topical pharmacological agents, in conjunction with the
administration of therapeutic modalities and pursuant to prescriptions issued in
accordance with the laws of this state, for which the athletic trainer has received
appropriate training and education;
(VII) Educating and counseling athletes concerning the prevention and care
of injuries and illnesses;
(VIII) Educating and counseling the general public with respect to athletic
training services;
(IX) Referring an athlete receiving athletic training services to appropriate
health-care personnel as needed; and
(X) Planning, organizing, administering, and evaluating the practice of
athletic training.
(c) As used in this subsection (4), injuries and illnesses includes those
conditions in an athlete for which athletic trainers, as the result of their education,
training, and competency, are qualified to provide care.
(5) Direction of a Colorado-licensed or otherwise lawfully practicing
physician or physician assistant means the planning of services with a physician or
physician assistant licensed under article 240 of this title 12 or under the medical
practice act of another jurisdiction; the development and approval by the physician
or physician assistant of procedures and protocols to be followed in the event of an
injury or illness; the mutual review of the protocols on a periodic basis; and the
appropriate consultation and referral between the physician or physician assistant
and the athletic trainer.
(6) National certifying agency means a nationally recognized agency that
certifies the competency of athletic trainers through the use of an examination.