Sports Medicine

Sports medicine refers to many different areas of exercise and sports science that relate both to the enhancement of each athlete’s performance, and the care of any injury an athlete might sustain. Within the broad spectrum of sports medicine are areas of more limited specialization. These smaller areas of specialization include such things as clinical medicine, orthopedics, exercise physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physical therapy, athletic training, massage therapy, sports nutrition, and sports psychology. All told, these different specialists work together to keep today’s athletes, the best of the best, at the top of their own physical condition so they can play at their very best.

What should you do if you want to start a career in sports medicine? First of all, decide which area of sports medicine interests you the most. Some specializations, such as orthopedics, require medical school and specialized post-graduate training. Others require a master’s degree, such as that required for physical therapy. Still others require a certification which can be attained in two, three, or four years. Depending on the area of your interest, the amount of education you are willing to pursue, and the salary you wish to earn, the area of specialization you choose could be any one of the above choices.

When you begin to research the education needed for a career in sports medicine, there are some questions you should ask regardless of your final career choice. Does the college or university offer a specialized course in sports medicine? Do they have a long history with this area, or is it a newly added course? What amount of hands-on experience will you receive, and do they offer internships with professional teams? Finally, as with any university or college choice, cost matters. Will you qualify for financial aid? Can you afford to finish the course once you have begun? Once you have the answers to these questions, you are ready to begin your career.