Introduction

Sports medicine is basically defined as the branch of medicine that deals with injuries sustained in athletic endeavors, including their prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

With an increase in the number of individuals opting for various forms of sports as a profession, the avenues for career in sports medicine have widened considerably.

Career Options

Once the desired qualifications have been attained and the eligibility criterion has been fulfilled, there are a number of options available for those willing to take up a career in sports medicine.

In this section, we have discussed all the major openings available in this field.

1) Group Exercise Instructor

A group exercise instructor is basically a professional who specializes in leading exercise sessions for a group of participants.

Common situations involving these group exercise instructors include land-or water-based general classes, dance/step aerobics, chair aerobics and cycling.

2) Athletic Trainer

Athletic trainers are primarily trained to work with team physicians, exercise physiologists, physical therapists and coaches. The chief aim is to facilitate care and prevention of sports and exercise-related injuries and illnesses.

3) Biomechanist

This field is another lucrative option for those considering a career in sports medicine. It is basically a study and explanation of the laws of physics as applied to physical activity, exercise and sport.

4) Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Specialist

There are a vast series of professionals employed in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation programs from amongst those who have opted for a career in sports medicine. Some of these include clinical exercise physiologists, nurses, physical therapists and respiratory therapists.

The main role of these professionals is to provide exercise education in the context of disease management and lifestyle modification. These specialists also play the important role of providing psychological support to patients suffering from cardiac and pulmonary disease.

5) Sport Nutritionist

The most critical role of a sports nutritionist is the study of nutrient intake and metabolism patterns, with the key focus to improve performance and prevent disease. This particular branch is fast becoming one of the most sought-after options for those considering a career in sports medicine.

6) Exercise Physiologist

An exercise physiologist performs the important role of studying the acute and chronic physiological responses and adaptations that result from physical activity.

Individuals who opt for this branch with a view to follow a career in sports medicine generally apply this knowledge to improve or maintain health, fitness and overall performance.

7) Personal Trainer

Personal Trainers are most often employed on one-on-one basis with an individual. Those desirous to opt for a career in sports medicine in this particular field should have a strong background g anatomy and kinesiology, since a major portion of a job in this field required dealing with muscular strength and endurance training.

Career in Sports Medicine – The Avenues is a post from: Back Pain and Physical Therapy Guide

Introduction

Sports medicine has become one of the most well-developed and advanced fields of medical science in the recent years. The massive spurt in this field has also been accompanied by an increasing number of facilities for education and training in sports medicine.

A greater number of undergraduates now opt to join a suitable college of sports medicine, through careful analysis of the programs offered and the possible future career options.

In this section, we’ve discussed the basics of joining a college of sports medicine, along with each of its allied aspects.

The Key Aspects

To begin with, a student interested in pursuing a professional degree in sports medicine should preferably have a background of undergraduate education in biology, physical education, nursing, physical therapy or athletic training. A good college of sports medicine will also prefer to take in students with a strong background in the natural sciences.

Overall, a graduate program taken up in a college of sports medicine is designed to prepare the students for various opportunities including athletic training at clinical and professional levels.

These programs have the core objective of preparing the student for prevention, management, evaluation and rehabilitation of athletic injuries, along with the multiplicity of demands in context of the effective implementation of sports at varied levels.

Other Options

Students desirous of taking up a career in sports medicine, but unable to join regular colleges for certain reasons, can also opt for distance learning options, which is another facility offered by a college of sports medicine.

Such programs generally require that each of the students work with one of the faculty members on a one-on-one basis. The best aspect of such a facility offered by a college of sports medicine remains that students can enrol at anytime during the year, owing to the rolling enrolment provision.

In addition, a college of sports medicine also offers residential learning experiences. In these programs, a student is generally allowed to select a two-summer option in which classes are offered in two week and six week mini sessions. Based on individual students’ demands, at times the college of sports medicine might also offer course on the campus during the semester or in clustered arrangements off-campus.

Selecting a College of Sports Medicine

When choosing on a specific college of sports medicine, it is important to consider a few set of factors.

To begin with, it is important to analyze the practical training facilities the college of sports medicine might offer. It is also important to know the associations such a college has with actual sporting organizations to facilitate hands-on and factual experience training to its students.

College of Sports Medicine – The Basics is a post from: Back Pain and Physical Therapy Guide

Introduction

Sports medicine is fast becoming one of the most well researched fields in the contemporary times, with an increasing number of funds, resources and efforts being invested into the subject.

With massive groups of experts conducting extensive research campaigns and studies into the subject, there are now a vast series of latest updates in sports medicine available, which are informed to the reader through varied modes of media.

The Highlights

In this section, we outline and briefly explain the major developments and the latest updates in sports medicine.

One of the most important and perhaps beneficial to the mankind is the discovery in context of the therapeutic capability of the stem cells. According to researchers, there is a possibility that in the future, the primitive stem cells from infant’s umbilical cord blood could actually grow new knee ligaments or elbow tendons, leading to creation of gene therapy that could transform the success rate of sports injury repair1.

In other parts of the world, there are continual series of programs that are organized to impart education and training in the subject. One such important and latest updates in sports medicine is the course being undertaken by the Botswana Football Association (BFA). According to sources, the BFA has recently played host to a FIFA sports medicine course at the Lekidi Football Centre, imparting essential knowledge and training to the experts in the field2.

In a yet another latest update in sports medicine, exercises in various forms have been labeled as one the most result-oriented forms of medicine. As per news reportcdn, a latest program launched recently encourages the US physicians to prescribe exercise to their patients as a way to treat as well as prevent illness.

The program, referred to as Exercise is Medicine, is basically a joint program initiated by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Medical Association (AMA).

Adding another dimension to the latest updates in sports medicine, there are now an increasing number of publications being issued. Dr. Robert Huizenga, the leading sports medicine expert and a bestselling author, recently penned the title, Where Did All the Fat Go? The WOW! Prescription to Reach Your Ideal Weight – and Stay There4. Slated for a release in mid-January, 2008, it lays down comprehensive guidelines for safely losing fat, while gaining muscle and bone at the same time.

A yet another series of research reports reveals that an increasing number of sports organizations are now opting for specialists in the field of sports medicine. This is primarily due to the fact that the amount and severity of competition in sports has increased manifold, making it necessary to minimize loss of performance and overall efficiency.

Latest Update on Sports Medicine – An Overview is a post from: Back Pain and Physical Therapy Guide

Introduction

Orthopedics is basically the branch of surgery that is concerned with acute, traumatic and overuse injuries and other disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Orthopedic surgeons generally address most of the musculoskeletal ailments including the likes of arthritis, trauma and congenital deformities, using both, the surgical as well as non-surgical methods.

Sports Medicine – The Correlation

Orthopedic sports medicine is a branch of medicine that deals with the surgical management of injuries, illness and other disorders related to sports.

According to the conventional way of practice of medicine, surgery has always been considered as the last resort to treat a particular problem. However, in the last few years, the use of surgical options has increased manifold, especially for situations like sports medicine. Orthopedic sports medicine has facilitated quick and result-oriented cure and treatment of ailments associated with sports in a highly efficient manner.

In fact, surgical sports medicine is one of the main nine subspecialties of the field of orthopedic surgery.

The Aspects

The important role of orthopedic sports medicine is highlighted by the fact that there are special organizations and programs dedicated to the purpose.

The American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), is a world leader in sports medicine education, research, communication as well as fellowship. The AOSSM was originally established in 1972, as a national organization of orthopedic surgeons dedicated to sports medicine.

The most important role of AOSSM is to ensure health and safety at all levels of sport and facilitate extensive research in order to prevent and manage injury.

The practice of orthopedic sports medicine is generally involved in the treatment and cure of a series of disorder associated with sports. The main amongst these include knee and elbow surgery, along with minor and non-invasive surgeries carried out to rectify other issues.

Roles and Responsibilities

An individual functioning in the field of orthopedic sports medicine has to ensure that certain essential requirements and criteria are being met.

In this section, we list some of the main pointers in this context.

1. Ensure that proper educational qualification and further specialization has been achieved.
2. It is also important to ensure that the professionals involved in the field of orthopedic sports medicine have achieved the required accreditations and fellowships from the relevant organizations.
3. It is vital for these professionals to carry out regular research campaigns to facilitate the development of newer technologies and techniques in the field of orthopedic sports medicine.
4. Membership should also be sought to the significant research journals and publications, in order to be suitably informed about the relevant developments in orthopedic sports medicine.

Orthopedic Sports Medicine – Basics and Role is a post from: Back Pain and Physical Therapy Guide

Introduction

A sport medicine physician is basically a physician who has a specialized training and is responsible for lifelong fitness and wellness of his patients, along with encouraging prevention of illness and injury.

The core function of a sports medicine physician is to maximize function and minimize disability and time away from sports, school and work.

In addition to tending to the athletes and sportspersons, the sports medicine physicians also cater to non-athletes and serve as training partners for individuals intending to become active or begin an exercise program.

Role and Qualifications

The roles of a physician and sports medicine are inter-linked as far as maintenance of health and prevention of illnesses is concerned.

A sports medicine physician mostly acts as a leader of the sports medicine team, which includes specialty surgeons and physicians, along with athletic trainers, physical therapists, coaches and other personnel.

These professionals are basically experienced sports medicine physicians with a primary specialty in one of the below:

* Family Practice
* Internal Medicine
* Emergency Medicine
* Pediatrics
* Physical medicine
* Rehabilitation.

Most of the professionals functioning as sports medicine specialists have obtained 1-2 years of additional training in sports medicine through accredited fellowship programs in the subject. Furthermore, physicians who are once certified in Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine or Pediatrics are then eligible to take a subspecialty qualification examination in the field sports medicine.

Additional Training

Physicians and sports medicine play an important role in the continual development of health and well-being. Most of the sports medicine physicians obtain additional training in the non-musculoskeletal aspects of sports medicine. A few common instances of this include:

* Head injuries, such as mild traumatic brain injury
* Athletes with chronic or acute illness .e.g. infectious mononucleosis, asthma or diabetes
* Nutrition, supplements and performance issues
* Exercise prescription for patients aiming to enhance their fitness levels
* Injury prevention

Looking for a Sports Medicine Physician

Once the correlation of a physician and sports medicine has been analyzed and accepted, the next step is to look for a qualified and capable sports medicine physician.

Experts suggest that the most dependable and easiest way to look for a sports medicine physician is to seek referrals. It is always helpful to take the advice of the personal physician, friends and co-workers. The advice and recommendations taken from local athletes is especially always helpful.

Other sources that might guide you for useful resources on physicians and sports medicine are online listings, including the likes of the American Orthopedic Society, the Physician and Sports Medicine and the American Medical Association.

Physicians and Sports Medicine is a post from: Back Pain and Physical Therapy Guide

Introduction

The field of sports medicine has witnessed a massive spurt in the number of research campaigns and studies being conducted in the recent past.

One of the main reasons for this increase is the fact that sports is now being adopted as a profession by a greater number of people, especially in the form of competitive sports. This has further given a rise to a greater demand for sports medicine facilities and hence the further need for research and newer developments.

Research Publications

The influx of such a huge amount of research studies has further led to publications of a vast number of research journals of sports medicine. From print media and the internet, to specialized volumes of books and private subscription websites, the research journals of sports medicine have been getting an increased coverage and print space in the last few years.

In fact, there are a few number of publications that are dedicated to the topic of research in the field of sports medicine. For instance, the publication, Research in Sports Medicine, is one of the most well known research journals of sports medicine. This publication basically aims to bridge the gap between all professionals in the field of sports medicine.

Serving an international audience, this research journal of sports medicine covers major aspects of sports medicine and sports science, including prevention, management and rehabilitation of sports, exercise and physical activity-related injuries and occupational problems.

Similarly, one of the other well-known research journals of sports medicine, the American Journal of Sports Medicine is a peer-reviewed scientific journal and is an official publication of the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM).

Such research journals of sports medicine act as an important forum for independent orthopedic sports medicine research and education, giving clinical practitioners the provision to make decisions based on accurate scientific information.

Science and Sports, another such publication of the French Society of Sports Medicine, provides the readers valuable updates on medical, scientific and applied technical research in various fields of sports and physical activities, including the likes of internal medicine, traumatology, psychology, sociology, biomechanmmics and technology.

The Significance

The research journals of sports medicine basically serve a very important purpose in the field of sports medicine. Since medical science is continually evolving and newer techniques are emerging, it is important that the professionals involved in the field are apprised of the latest developments on a regular basis.

The research journals of sports medicine serve this purpose very well and offer a vast range of information to its readers on all possible innovations in the fields of sports medicine.

Research Journals of Sports Medicine – Information Sources is a post from: Back Pain and Physical Therapy Guide

Introduction

Preventive care and therapeutic remedies form the mainstay of the specialized field of sports medicine. This is basically an interdisciplinary subspecialty of medicine, providing curative options to players from the amateur as well as professional groups.

The field of sports is fast gaining a competitive tone at an astounding pace. In fact, this is the main reason that the branch of sports medicine has assumed mammoth significance in the recent years. This holds especially true in the light of the fact that a major focus of this practice lies on the rapid recovery of patients, to facilitate minimum loss of performance and efficiency.

The core working principle of sports medicine lies in the modifications in training techniques, equipment, sports venues and rules, decisions for which generally emerge out of substantial and meaningful research and studies.

Scope of Function

Sports medicine covers a vast range of disorders and disabilities, both preventive and curative, caused due to various factors.

The scope of this field of medicine covers a vast span of specialists’ branches, including the following:

* Cardiology
* Pulmonology
* Orthopedic surgery
* Exercise physiology
* Biomechanics
* Traumatology

In addition to the above, there are certain special categories of athletes that demand attention from the experts in the field of sports medicine.

These include:

* Female athletes, with eating disorders, menstrual disturbances and bone density issues
* Aging athletes
* Athletes with dermatological and endocrinological diseases

Special Concerns

Apart from the above, there are certain specific and occasional situations that require an active role from the sports medicine specialists.

Here we’ve listed some of the most crucial ones amongst these issues:

* Issues emerging from international sporting events, such as travel and acclimatization
* Use of pharmacologic supplements
* Substance abuse
* Gender verification

The Profession

An increasing number of medical professionals are now opting for specialization in the field of sports medicine.

Professionals who aspire to gain specialization first need to begin with a primary residency program in one of the following areas:

* Family practice
* Internal medicine
* Emergency medicine
* Pediatrics
* Physical medicine
* Rehabilitation

The above is then required to be followed by one or two years of additional training, through accredited fellowship programs in sports medicine. Depending upon the basic eligibility criteria, some professionals are then allowed to appear for a subspecialty qualification examination in the field.

The Future Scenario

There have been a vast series of studies and estimations being conducted to gauge the future of sports medicine as a means to enhance performance and reduce ailments.

The majority of such analysis points towards the possibility that sports medicine is likely to play a highly crucial and effective role in prevention of sports-related injury.

The most prominent aspect of research that looks into the application of this branch of this medicine in prevention is the study of the body’s neuromuscular adaptations.

Overall, further developments in sports medicine are likely to ensure safe physical activity, while augmenting the performance levels to a considerable extent.

Sports Medicine – Present and Future is a post from: Back Pain and Physical Therapy Guide

Introduction

Sports medicine has recently become one of the most sought after and practiced branched of medicine and has been finding an increasing number of consumers and patients seeking these services.

The increasing amount of competition in sports has made these events all the more hazardous and left the athletes and sportspersons vulnerable to a series of injuries and illnesses.

The foot and ankle are often counted amongst the most vulnerable and worst effected body parts as far as sports-related injuries are concerned.

In this section we’ve explained the rehabilitation process for ankle injuries and the sports medicine ankle injury exercise plans.

The Rehabilitation Program

Ideally, a rehabilitation routine for ankle injury should be done in a fixed regimen, in a schedule of 20 minutes, done at least thrice a week until full recovery has been achieved.

The process of sports medicine ankle injury exercises generally begin with the following explained stretches.

1. Calf Stretch

First place your hands on a wall with the right foot behind you. Trying to keep the right knee straight, touch the heel to the ground. Once done, lean forward until you feel a stretch along your calf.

2. Range of motion

Begin by sitting with one leg crossed over the other. Draw small circles in the air with toes of your feet. Repeat for 10-15 seconds in both, the clockwise and anticlockwise directions.

3. Towel Scrunches

This is one of the most important components of the sports medicine ankle injury exercise regimen.

As a part of this exercise, first sit in a chair and stretch a towel on the floor. Beginning with the right foot, keep the heel on the ground. Once done, use your toes to scrunch the towel towards yourself. Repeat the entire process 3 times.
4. Toe Raises

Stand with one hand on the back of a chair for support. Raise up on your toes and hold for 2 seconds and then lower. Do not bounce and perform two sets of 10 repetitions each.

5. Leg swing on one leg

Try to balance on one leg slowly. Now swing the other leg forward and then back through a full range of motions. Meanwhile, keep the knee straight and move from the hip. You can then swing the leg to the side. Do this for 10 seconds, rest and repeat.

In addition, sports medicine ankle injury exercise specialists also suggest following the RICE technique to provide immediate and effective relief from the associated pain. The sequence of rest, ice, compression and elevation should be followed regularly for the purpose. At times, it is also helpful to take ibuprofen or aspirin to provide the required relief from inflammation.

Sports Medicine Ankle Injury Exercise – The Regimen is a post from: Back Pain and Physical Therapy Guide

Introduction

The range of career choices and preferences has undergone a sea change in the last few years. Nowadays, professionals are increasingly opting for different and innovative career choices. Sports medicine careers are one such category of professional choices that have been finding an increasing number of takers in the last few years.

In this section, we highlight the academic and professional requirements for choosing one of the lines of the sports medicine careers.

The Educational Aspect

To begin with, it is important to understand what does it imply by studying sports medicine. The study of sports medicine basically relates to the application of medical principals to sport, exercise and physical performance.

It is also crucial to understand that studying sports medicine does not refer to a specific field or degree. In fact, there are a vast number of fields of study that combine medical science with exercise.

Exercise science is basically defined as a scientific study of physiological and biomechanical principals related to the adaptation of the human body to movement and physical activity. Research and study is one of the most important aspects of exercise science.

Moving on, individuals who graduate in exercise science then seek an appropriate professional field of work in clinical as well as academic settings. The sports medicine careers in such cases might include the jobs of a fitness instructor, scientific researcher, nutritionist and academic professors.

Meanwhile, the specific study of sports medicine relates tot the study of specialty fields in medicine that deals with injuries related to sports or any other athletic events.

In addition, to opt for the sports medicine careers, it is also important to undertake study that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of injuries which happen during sport events and physical activities.

The Professional Scope

There are a huge number of medical and health professionals that choose to work in the area of sports medicine. These professionals come from vast backgrounds that might include one of the below:

* Athletic training
* Exercise physiology
* Physical therapy
* Primary care
* Nursing
* Sport psychology
* Nutrition

The most prominent aspect of these professionals is their training which they have achieved in the care and treatment of injuries and illnesses that relate to people who participate in sports and physical activities at any level.

The Team Structure

Sports medicine careers are now finding an increasing number of takers in the recent years. The most common positions as professionals in the field of sports medicine are the jobs of sports medicine physicians, fitness instructors and trainers and many more.

Sports Medicine Careers – Key Aspects is a post from: Back Pain and Physical Therapy Guide

Introduction

Sports medicine is one of the fastest developing branches of medicine. With an increasing number of individuals opting for competitive sports, the role of sports medicine has increased manifold in the last few years.

This trend has also further led to an increase in demand for the relevant information in the field. Athletes and sportspersons wishing to avail services of sports medicine now demand extensive information on the various aspects of this branch of medicine.

Consequently, the above has in turn caused a spurt in the number of publications being released, including the likes of research papers, articles and blogs being published, with a sports medicine journal being one of the most popular publications.

The Publications

A sports medicine journal basically serves the important purpose of highlighting the important developments and innovation happening in the field of sports medicine.

There are a vast number of sports medicine journals being issued for the purpose. To begin with, the American Journal of Sports Medicine is one of the leading publications for the orthopedic sports medicine community.

Established in 1972, it is basically a peer-reviewed scientific sports medicine journal, acting as an important forum for independent orthopedic sports medicine research and education, allowing clinical practitioners to make informed decisions based on accurate scientific information.

Similarly, the British Journal of Sports Medicine is also a leading sports medicine journal, providing valuable information on the latest developments and advancements in the field of sports medicine.

The Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine is another famous sports medicine journal serving the needs of the professionals in this field. This is basically an internationally refereed journal, published for clinicians with an inclination towards sports medicine practice. This sports medicine journal basically carries original research and reviews, which cover diagnostics, therapeutics and rehabilitation in healthy as well as physically challenged individuals of all age groups.

In addition, Sports Medicine, basically a medicine review journal, is a premier publication of its kind and has been in function for over 17 years, serving as a primary reference source for the world’s leading medical institutions.

Such sports medicine journals provide commissioned practical reviews of exercise science and clinically oriented reviews on the etiology, epidemiology, management, treatment and prevention of sports injuries.

Another quarterly publication, the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (JSSM) is also an electronic journal, publishing research and review articles, along with case studies in the field of sports medicine and exercise sciences.

Such publications generally offer regular and accurate advice and information on sports injury prevention and treatment, exercise for health and drugs in sport and guidelines for training and nutrition.

Sports Medicine Journal – News and Information Resources is a post from: Back Pain and Physical Therapy Guide