UW–Madison alumna Mayrena Hernandez, who earned her PhD in kinesiology from the School of Education in 2022, was recently quoted in a USA Today article discussing the role of athletic trainers in addressing the needs of young athletes.
Now an assistant professor of athletic training at Sam Houston State University in Texas, Hernandez emphasized how vital it is for kids to feel comfortable with their trainers. For her dissertation work at UW–Madison, Hernandez conducted a study examining the relationship between athletic trainers and adolescents from low-income backgrounds.
Her findings, according to USA Today, reveal that trainers often pick up on emotional cues when they engage as good listeners and understand mental health issues. “Surprisingly, some of those kids are really good at hiding things so that they can assimilate with their peers,” Hernandez said. “The athletic trainer is able to really tap in and gather clues to figure out, ‘OK, is this athlete going through some of these disparities in society compared to their peers?’”
One example she noted is that cross country runners in the study often wore worn-out shoes, which trainers recognized as a factor in recurring injuries. By identifying such issues, trainers can help athletes prevent physical problems while also supporting their mental well-being.
Only about 37% of U.S. high schools have access to a full-time athletic trainer, Hernandez told USA Today. Her research underscores that a trainer can be a key resource for athletes, providing one more trusted adult who can watch for subtle cues that may indicate an athlete needs extra support.
For more about Hernandez’s research and insights, read the full feature in USA Today.