Sports medicine

Sports medicine specializes in preventing, diagnosing and treating injuries

rints or muscles caused by engaging in such physical activities.
Sports medicine encompasses the study of exercise science. Exercise science
involves understanding the principals of physiology, anatomy and psychology and
how they work together in physical activity and movement. Sports activity takes
normal movement to the ultimate extreme, and understanding how far the body can
safely extend itself is vital to success on and off the playing field.
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. The title of sports medicine specialist does not necessarily
mean that the specialist is a physician. There are bachelors, masters, and certificate
programs in sports medicine.
Sports medicine physicians have specialized training in the field of 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 activities.
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.
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, and many
others.