Will AI replace Athletic Trainers?
AI can do 38% of the work Athletic Trainers do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 1 of their 23 tasks, while 10 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 4 physical tasks. 8 still need a person.
AI is already doing this1 · 11% of time
People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.
- Perform general administrative tasks, such as keeping records or writing reports.Mostly automated11% of time
AI could do this next10 · 27% of time
AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.
- Conduct an initial assessment of an athlete's injury or illness to provide emergency or continued care and to determine whether they should be referred to physicians for definitive diagnosis and treatment.8% of time
- Assess and report the progress of recovering athletes to coaches or physicians.4% of time
- Collaborate with physicians to develop and implement comprehensive rehabilitation programs for athletic injuries.3% of time
- Instruct coaches, athletes, parents, medical personnel, or community members in the care and prevention of athletic injuries.3% of time
- Plan or implement comprehensive athletic injury or illness prevention programs.2% of time
- Develop training programs or routines designed to improve athletic performance.2% of time
- Advise athletes on the proper use of equipment.1% of time
- Conduct research or provide instruction on subject matter related to athletic training or sports medicine.1% of time
- Recommend special diets to improve athletes' health, increase their stamina, or alter their weight.1% of time
- File athlete insurance claims and communicate with insurance providers.1% of time
Robots can technically do this4 · 12% of time
Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.
- Perform team support duties, such as running errands, maintaining equipment, or stocking supplies.Robots: purpose built settings4% of time
- Massage body parts to relieve soreness, strains, or bruises.Robots: structured workplaces3% of time
- Clean and sanitize athletic training rooms.Robots: purpose built settings3% of time
- Inspect playing fields to locate any items that could injure players.Robots: structured workplaces1% of time
Still needs a person8 · 51% of time
No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.
- Care for athletic injuries, using physical therapy equipment, techniques, or medication.17% of time
- Apply protective or injury preventive devices, such as tape, bandages, or braces, to body parts, such as ankles, fingers, or wrists.13% of time
- Travel with athletic teams to be available at sporting events.13% of time
- Evaluate athletes' readiness to play and provide participation clearances when necessary and warranted.3% of time
- Lead stretching exercises for team members prior to games or practices.2% of time
- Confer with coaches to select protective equipment.1% of time
- Accompany injured athletes to hospitals.1% of time
- Teach sports medicine courses to athletic training students.1% of time
Your week is not the average
Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.
What this means
AI can speed up parts of this job, mostly the paperwork and information work around it. The core still depends on hands, presence or relationships.
What to do next
- Do the 1 task AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
- Get ahead on the 10 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
- Keep an eye on the 4 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
- Build on the 8 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
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