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What Are the Different Types of Sports Medicine Careers?

Page Coleman
Page Coleman

Students who are interested in medicine, exercise, or sports science may wish to pursue sports medicine careers. People employed in these fields may work with healthy athletes to optimize performance or with injured people who may or may not be athletes. Sports medicine also offers career options for students who are interested in helping athletes through nutrition or psychology. Although educational requirements may vary by nation, these positions often require at least a four-year college degree with a focus on sports physiology, and an advanced degree may also be needed.

Athletic trainers are certified and licensed health care professionals who often collaborate with physicians to prevent, diagnose, and treat acute and chronic injuries, particularly among physically-active populations such as athletes. They may specialize in evaluating injuries, providing first aid, applying injury-preventing devices, implementing rehabilitation programs, and planning initiatives to prevent illness and injuries.

Other sports medicine careers use sports rehabilitation to help those who are injured. These careers include physical therapy and chiropractic medicine. People in these careers may work with both athletes and non-athletes.

Physical therapists work with injured athletes.
Physical therapists work with injured athletes.

Physical therapists design exercise and stretching programs to help recovery as well as help patients perform these activities. Chiropractors who specialize in sports medicine careers may provide additional therapies along with standard chiropractic manipulations. The chiropractic services and physical therapy may be conducted in offices, schools, hospitals, or nursing homes.

A sports psychologist will help athletes cope with the stress of competition.
A sports psychologist will help athletes cope with the stress of competition.

Exercise physiologists are healthcare practitioners whose patients may have heart conditions or other ongoing disorders. They may design personal exercise programs for their patients. Exercise physiologists are often primarily interested in the cardiovascular system.

Nutrition is an important part of optimizing athletic performance. Students who are interested in both athletics and nutrition may find a career in sports nutrition to be ideal. A sports nutritionist can recommend types of foods, portion control, and timing of meals and snacks to help athletes perform their best and recover more quickly. Improved nutrition may also reduce the chance of a sports injury.

Some orthopedists who specialize in sports-related injuries work at a comprehensive sports injury clinic.
Some orthopedists who specialize in sports-related injuries work at a comprehensive sports injury clinic.

Whether professionals or amateurs, sports can be stressful for serious athletes. Along with the ability to handle stress, many sports require mental strength and confidence. Athletes may work with sports psychologists to enhance their abilities to handle stress and excel at their sport. The work of sports psychologists can be similar to traditional psychologists, but the sports psychologist’s clients will be athletes. People in these sports medicine careers may also choose research positions rather than working with individual clients.

Discussion Comments

anon999154

If you are interested in becoming a certified athletic trainer, please refer to the national athletic trainers association (NATA) website.

mobilian33

There are so many jobs you can focus on with a sports medicine degree. I would advise that you decide exactly which job you most want and then prepare to put in the time and effort to reach your goal. Getting a job with a professional team will probably take time because so many people are fighting for a relatively small number of positions, so be prepared to serve time in positions that might not be your first choice. You will need patience and persistence to reach your goal.

Feryll

If you are interested in a sports medicine career then you want to do anything you can to get an advantage over the other people who will be competing with you for jobs. It's never too early to get a head start.

When I was a kid, I worked as a ball boy with the local high school sports teams. Mostly, I was in charge of picking up and putting away equipment, but I also got the opportunity to hang around the doctor who helped out with the team, and I spent even more time with the team trainers.

I wasn't thinking about a career in sports medicine at the time, but I was always told by my parents to learn everything I could and never miss out on an opportunity, so I soaked up as much as possible.

Drentel

My niece has always loved playing sports. See was a star on her high school teams and in AAU basketball. Her goal since she was little was to become a professional athlete. Well, now that she is in college and no longer so much better than all the other players she is coming to terms with the realization that a professional career as an athlete might not be in her future.

With this in mind, she is majoring in sports medicine. This is a great way for her to remain close to athletics, athletes and the games she loves even when she can no longer participate in them at a high level. Fortunately, she had decided to focus on science courses even before she declared a major.

Biology and other related science courses are essential to earning a degree in sports medicine.

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    • Physical therapists work with injured athletes.
      By: Stephen Coburn
      Physical therapists work with injured athletes.
    • A sports psychologist will help athletes cope with the stress of competition.
      By: corepics
      A sports psychologist will help athletes cope with the stress of competition.
    • Some orthopedists who specialize in sports-related injuries work at a comprehensive sports injury clinic.
      By: Rido
      Some orthopedists who specialize in sports-related injuries work at a comprehensive sports injury clinic.
    • Sports medicine physicians may work with local schools to make sure student athletes stay healthy.
      By: John Johnson
      Sports medicine physicians may work with local schools to make sure student athletes stay healthy.
    • A physiotherapist can help athletes prevent sports injuries.
      By: Monkey Business
      A physiotherapist can help athletes prevent sports injuries.