SLIPPERYROCK — Athletic trainers:They're not just for colleges or universities anymore.

While those institutions continue to provide the training ground for athletic trainers — Slippery Rock University's athletic training program has 50 to 60 students annually — their use extends far beyond collegiate sports.

"Industries are hiring certified athletic trainers to keep their employees healthy and fit,"said Kristen Abbott, a junior in SRU's program. "It's cost effective to a lot of businesses.

"Movers, landscapers — any line of work that requires a lot of physical labor can use trainers."

March is National Athletic Training Month and there is more demand for trainers than ever before.

Even businesses that do not require physical labor have hired athletic trainers to coordinate company fitness programs.

"Good health is important to any business,"said SRUjunior Meghan Sarao, another student trainer. "Healthy employees don't call off sick and save on insurance costs."

While SRU's athletic training students do work with the respective sports at the university, they also serve at high schools as well.

"Everyone works for a team on campus during two of the semesters,"Sarao said. "You work for a high school's team during the other."

For example, an athletic training student might work SRU football during the fall, work a high school's sports in the winter, then do SRUwomen's softball in the spring.

Butler, Karns City, Grove City, Highlands and New Wilmington are school districts that use SRU trainers.

"I love working the high school (rotation) because you're involved with more sports, meet different people and develop more contacts,"Abbott said.

Athletic trainers also offer advice to weekend warriors and people looking to active after years of dormancy:

• The RICEtheory for treating sprains and tweaked muscles:Rest, ice, compress and elevate.

• Drink seven to 10 ounces of water for every 15 minutes of exercise to replenish fluids.

• Good eating habits. "It's OKto indulge with a bowl of ice cream every once in a while, just don't do it every day,"Sarao said.

• Wear a mouthguard during all contact sports. "They serve as great shock absorbers and can prevent concussions, or at least lessen the severity of them,"Abbott said.

• Have a designated organizer in the event of an emergency. If someone is badly hurt, have one person directing who calls 911, who gets blankets to keep the victim warm, who gets the victim water, etc., so immediate care is done swiftly and effectively.

• Heed lightning warnings. Upon seeing lightning, count to five. If you hear thunder before the count of five, vacate the playing field or golf course.

• Seek a physician's advice before embarking upon any rigorous training fir the first time.

Sarao and Abbott are in their third year in SRU's athletic training program. Abbott said she's always been fascinated by the human body and enjoys working with active individuals.

"Usually, active people want to get better and are more willing to work with you to get there,"she said.

Sarao said she's always loved sports and the medical profession.

"When you've worked with an injured athlete, guided that person through treatment and rehabilitation, then watch him get back on the field and succeed ... It's personally fulfilling,"Sarao said.