Join the Sports Medicine Team |
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March 13, 2007
By Kathy A. Johnson
Healthcare Programs Columnist
They train elite athletes, treat college students' sports injuries, and help ordinary people develop exercise programs. Who are they? Sports medicine professionals, who use their expertise to improve athletic performance and safety.
"The goal of sports medicine is to assist the athlete in achieving both optimal health and peak performance," according to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Sports medicine applies medical and scientific principles to sports, exercise, and physical performance. Sports medicine professionals prevent, diagnose and treat sports-related injury and illness.
There are plenty of sports medicine jobs out there. Here are three careers to consider:
Strength and conditioning coach: High school, college, and professional sports teams employ strength and conditioning coaches to help athletes increase their strength, agility, and endurance. Most strength and conditioning coaches hold master's degrees, and are certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Dietician/Sports Nutritionist: Dieticians specialize in the study of nutrients, how foods are digested and metabolized to fuel muscles, and how diet can be used to enhance performance and health. Registered dieticians must complete an undergraduate degree in dietetics, a nine-month American Dietetics Association (ADA)-approved internship, and pass the ADA certification exam. Dieticians work in hospitals, clinics, sports complexes, and public health facilities.
Sports Medicine Physician Assistant: Without spending your life in med school, you can complete specialized training in sports medicine or a field such as orthopedics or cardiology. Most sports medicine physician assistants are employed by professional sports teams, hospitals, or clinics.
If you're not sure which career to choose, the ACSM notes that most sports medicine degree programs have an "introduction to the profession" survey course. Whatever path you take, sports medicine is a good way to turn your love of sports into a winning medical career.
Sources
About the Author:
Kathy A. Johnson has written articles on health, fitness, and many other topics in her career as a freelance writer and editor. She lives in Florida.
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