Clemens and McNamee

I must preface this post by saying this is my OPINION, based on facts.

After watching Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee testify before congress today I feel that the news reports do not clarify exactly what McNamee's job description is. He is a Personal Trainer NOT a Certified Athletic Trainer!

According to the American Fitness Professionals and Associates the minimum requirements for a personal trainer are:

• 18 years of age; High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Basic understanding of anatomy and resistance/cardiovascular training.
• Basic familiarity with resistance training equipment.
• CPR is not required to take the examination but may be required by employer, or to obtain liability insurance.

One thing to remember is there are many Associations that certify personal trainers, they all have similar requirements; however, personal trainers focus solely on fitness and conditioning, have no national or standardized requirements for education or certification. Also they are not recognized by the AMA as a medical provider. Under all of the associations the job description does not say a personal trainer is qualified to give injections of ANY kind. If an athlete wanted a B12 or flu shot you would send them to a doctor or nurse who is qualified to give shots. Under no circumstances should a personal trainer be giving an athlete or client steroids, HGH, or other types of illegal drugs.

So now I need to write what a Certified Athletic Trainer is. From the National Athletic Trainers Association website Athletic Trainers specialize in the:

• prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses
• have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree(however, 70% of all Certified Athletic Trainers have at least a master’s degree, including myself)
• maintain national certification through the Board of Certification, an organization independent of NATA.

Athletic trainers are licensed or regulated health care professionals in 46 states. Click here to check out NATA’s official statement on steroids and performance enhancing substances.

As a nationally Certified and state Licensed Athletic Trainer I am appalled that someone in Brian McNamee’s position would do something so stupid as to inject professional baseball players with illegal substances. I also believe MLB needs to bring their drug testing standards up to the same level as the International Olympic Committee. I hope the federal investigators prosecute McNamee to the fullest extent of the law just to make an example of him and let current and future personal trainers know that this behavior is NOT ACCEPTABLE!