Jobs in Sports Medicine

Sports medicine is practiced across a myriad of professions, from athletics to orthopedic medicine and psychology.

Sports medicine is a medical field that concentrates on the diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of injuries caused by or related to athletic competition or exercise. While widely known as a branch of medical science, sports medicine also forays into the realms of sports psychology, orthopedic surgery, ergonomics and human biological research. A wide variety of institutions offer instruction in sports medicine in many areas, which, once completed, can be the catalyst for any number of sports medicine related careers.

Athletic Trainer

Athletic trainers are employed by sports and athletic organizations and geared with the task of preventing athletic injuries among team players. The trainer works to construct exercise and stretching programs aimed at preventing injury during play, as well as implementing long term strength and conditioning programs that will aid in the health of the team. Trainers also work in conjunction with therapy specialists to assist in the rehabilitation of athletes who are recovering from injuries and/or surgery in order to devise strategies to reestablish their form. Trainers are also often hired by private fitness clubs and gyms as well as scholastic and collegiate athletic programs.

Physical Therapist

Physical therapists primarily devise and implement treatment plans to alleviate pain in athletes. These strategies can include a variety of medical methods to reduce swelling and muscle soreness. These methods can include various cold pack applications or heat applications not limited to whirlpool baths, ultrasonic machines and infrared lamps. Physical therapy is also closely related to the field of massage therapy, another tool used by therapists to combat injury. Therapists can also provide assistance with the instruction and application of preventative equipment such as braces and pads. Physical therapists are usually staffed in athletic departments, hospitals and rehabilitation facilities.

Sports Psychologist

Sports psychology is an offshoot of clinical psychology and is based on the examination of the psychological factors associated in sports participation, exercise and other physical activities. Sports psychologists help athletes achieve mental relaxation, often through such techniques as visualization, in the hopes of improving on-field performance and overall mental well being. Contemporary initiatives in sports psychology aim to seek out and combat potential psychological reasons for poor athletic performance.

References

• National Athletic Trainers Association: Job Description
• State University.com: Physical Therapist Job Description
• Propsects: Sports Psychologist

Resources

• National Academy of Sports Medicine