What is Sports Medicine?

1. What is Sports Medicine?

3. What is Sports Medicine? • Sports medicine is the study and practice of medical principles related to the science of sports, particularly in the areas of: • Sports Injury Diagnosis and • Treatment • Sports Injury Prevention • Sports Training and Athletic • Performance, including: • Exercises and Workouts • Sports Nutrition • Sports Psychology

5. What is a Sports Medicine Specialist?

6. What is a Sports Medicine Specialist? • A sports medicine specialist is an individual with specialized education and training who focuses on the medical and therapeutic aspects of sports participation and physical activity. This title of sports medicine specialist does not necessarily mean the specialist is a physician. There are bachelors, masters, and certificate programs in sports medicine.

7. What is a Sports Medicine Physician?

8. What is a Sports Medicine Physician? • Sports medicine physicians have specialized training in the field in medicine that deals with sport or exercise-related injuries. Their primary focus is on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of injuries that occur during sports and other physical activity. • A sports medicine physician receives special training during a fellowship program in sports medicine after finishing a residency program in another specialty, such as primary care or orthopedic surgery. There are currently no widespread residency programs in sports medicine. • Most primary care sports medicine doctors complete a three-year family medicine residency after medical school, and then choose to focus on sports medicine. An orthopedic surgery residency leads to a career as an orthopedic surgeon, many of who treat athletes.

9. What is Sports Science? • Sports science, also referred to as exercise science, is a focused study and application of the principals of physiology, anatomy, and psychology as they relate to human movement and physical activity. Exercise science is still quite young, and much of the field is focused on conducting research on the various adaptations to exercise or the lack of exercise, of the human body. This work ranges from the elite athlete to the general population; children to elderly; and the physical components of fitness to the psychological.

10. Careers in Sports Medicine and Sports Science • There are many career and job opportunities in fields related to sports medicine. Typically, employment opportunities involve working with generally healthy or active people in two major areas: • Lifestyle improvement or performance enhancement • Injury prevention or recovery. • The goal of sports medicine professionals is to help individuals achieve optimal health and performance goals. Those pursuing degrees in sport medicine or sports science, often work in clinical, academic or service employment. Professions include trainers, coaches, researchers, nutritionists, sports psychologists, nutritionists and many others.

11. Sports Medicine Programs • Schools are beginning to offer more and more Sports Medicine and Sports Science curriculum. Only a few years ago, you would be hard-pressed to find much selection if you wanted to study sports medicine in college. The standard education program consisted of physical education or medical school. Now departments with degree programs specific to sports medicine, athletic training, exercise science, health promotion, kinesiology, sports coaching and a variety of other disciplines are popping up at nearly every university. The choice is yours.

13. Sports Psychology Programs • Sports psychology is a growing profession and many athletes seek the services of psychologists, trainers and coaches who can help them with the mental aspects of sports training. Elite athletes, professionals and Olympians all have tremendous physical skills and research is finding that at these levels mental training skills (focus, relaxation, goal-setting and reducing anxiety) are critical in separating first from second place.

14. Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) Programs • An athletic trainer is a highly skilled professional who has education and training in athletic health care. To become certified ATC must pass an examination that covers a variety of topics within the six domains of athletic training including: • Prevention of athletic injuries • Recognition, evaluation and immediate care of athletic injuries • Rehabilitation and reconditioning of athletic injuries • Health care administration • Professional development and responsibility • Once athletic trainers pass the certification examination they can use the designation ATC.

15. Sports Medicine Programs • Schools are beginning to offer more and more Sports Medicine and Sports Science curriculum. Only a few years ago, you would be hard-pressed to find much selection if you wanted to study sports medicine in college. The standard education program consisted of physical education or medical school. Now departments with degree programs specific to sports medicine, athletic training, exercise science, health promotion, kinesiology, sports coaching and a variety of other disciplines are popping up at nearly every university. The choice is yours.

16. Fields of Study Include: • Athletic Training • Exercise Science • Health Promotion • Sports Coaching • Pain & Injury (Diagnose and Treatment ) • Pain & Injury. A simple way to drill down to a sports injury by body part and location • Best Jobs in Sports Medicine, Health and Fitness

17. Considering a career in sports? Check out these hot jobs. • By Elizabeth Quinn, About.com • Updated February 09, 2009 • About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board • See More About: • education • jobs • careers in sports

18. Looking for a job in sports medicine, health and fintess? Here are some of the best sports-related jobs. • 1. Physical Therapist • Physical Therapists are in demand and will be for some time. They treat a variety injuries but many specialize in the care and treatment of sports injuries. Those who focus on sports medicine and orthopedics work with both recreational and professional athletes. • PT's usually have a 4-year degree, but many schools now offer and entry-level Master of Physical Therapy option.

19. Also See: Occupational Outlook - Physical Therapist • Sponsored Links • Sports Medicine CareerEarn a sports management degree through online courses. Learn how.www.apus.edu • Sports Medicine SchoolsFind Sports Medicine Degrees, Courses, and Training Programs.www.degree-finder.com • Sports Medicine DegreesGet Info on Healthcare Schools with Sports Medicine & Training ProgramsGuideToHealthcareSchools.com/Sports • 2. Sports Medicine Physician • Sports medicine physicians have specialized training in the field in medicine that deals with sport or exercise-related injuries. Their primary focus is on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of injuries that occur during sports and other physical activity. • Most primary care sports medicine doctors complete a three-year primary medicine residency after medical school. Many then choose a fellowship in sports medicine for specialized training. An orthopedic surgery residency leads to a career as an orthopedic surgeon, many of who treat athletes.

20. Occupational Outlook - Sports Medicine Physician • 3. Certified Athletic Trainer - ATC • Certified Athletic Trainers are skilled professionals who work exclusively with athletes. Most work with sports teams on the high school and college level, but many now work in health clubs and with medical clinics. An ATC can help decide which injuries require a trip to a specialists, and can make the referral if necessary. • Also See: Occupational Outlook - Athletic Trainer • More Info • 4. Coaches, Umpires and Sports Officials • If you love sports and don't mind pressure, being a coach or sports official can keep you in the game. Coaches need sports savvy, experience and good communicate skills. • Also See:

21. What Makes a Good Coach?Occupational Outlook - Sports Coach • 5. Sports Psychologist • Sports psychology is a growing profession and many athletes seek the services of psychologists, trainers and coaches who can help them with the mental aspects of sports training. Elite athletes, professionals and Olympians all have tremendous physical skills and research is finding that at these levels mental training skills (focus, relaxation, goal-setting and reducing anxiety) are critical in separating first from second place. More recently, recreational athletes are finding the mental training benefits them as well. Motivation, concentration and focus are helpful for anyone wanting to achieve a goal –- sports-related or not.