New
professions appear roughly every several decades, some of which are the result
of shifts in how we view life. Look at Sports! Though not a new phenomenon,
sports participation, particularly the desire to participate in professional
sports, has acquired popularity.
Sports
medicine, a rapidly expanding area, focuses on the care of athletes’ injuries.
Sports medicine healthcare professionals assist patients who are athletes or
otherwise physically active with better movement and performance. Besides
treating sports-related injuries, they work to prevent disease and injury.
Sports medicine includes different professional pathways, including athletic
training, physical therapy, and exercise physiology. Sports and healthcare
enthusiasts might find employment in this field to be gratifying.
What
does the field of Sports Medicine entail?
Amalgamating
general medical training with exercise, physiology, biomechanics, orthopaedics,
sports science, sports nutrition, and sports psychology, sports medicine is not
a single profession, but rather a diverse group of specialists concerned with
the athlete’s health and well-being. In particular, it focuses on physical
health, including the treatment and prevention of injuries associated to sports
and exercise and offers the following types of treatments:
1.
Acute injuries (fractures, sprains, and dislocations)
2.
Degenerative diseases, overuse illnesses (such as tendinitis), and overtraining
syndrome.
Be
it about aiding athletes (or other people) heal from injury or helping athletes
increase their athletic performance, sports medicine is not ‘only’ limited to
medicine alone.
Numerous
medical and non-medical specialists are active in sports medicine, incuding
Nutritionists, Physicians, Coaches, Athletic Trainers, Surgeons, Personal
Trainers, Sports Psychologists, Physical Therapists.
Sports
medicine is crucial not just for athletes, but also for patients with
impairments wanting to increase their physical capabilities or for patients
looking for more efficient training regimens.
What
Makes Sports Medicine a Good Career Choice?
Not
just players but anyone injured during physical exercise can receive treatment
from a sports medicine physician. This sector encompasses several different
medical roles.
Graduates
of sports medicine programs might find employment in both the medical and
sporting industries. Physical therapists and exercise physiologists are two
vocations open to anyone interested in working with physically active people of
all ages, from infants to professional athletes. One passionate about working
only with athletes might find success as an athletic trainer or team physician.
Sports
medicine-related industries
People
are increasingly becoming aware of and committed to maintaining their health
and well-being. Thus, the scope of sports medical employment has expanded.
Sports medicine can be used to various fields and sectors, including:
·
Elementary
and Secondary Schools
·
Home
care Facilities
·
General
Medical and Surgical Hospitals
·
Offices
of Health Practitioners
·
Spectator
Sports
·
Nursing
Care Facilities
Employment
Opportunities in Sports Medicine
Some
popular sports medicine careers include:
1.
Sports Psychologist:
Academic
Qualification:
·
BS/BSc
in Psychology
·
MS
in Psychology
·
Ph.D.
Sports
Psychologist: Roles
·
Offers
counseling on mental health
·
Evaluates
an athlete’s physical performance and mental status
·
Determines
how the athlete’s physical prowess affects their cerebral prowess and
limitations
·
Aids
athletes in overcoming pressures (both on and off the pitch)
·
Conducts
studies to advance understanding of sports psychology
·
Provides
assistance and treatment for sportsmen with mental health issues
·
Gives
advice and care to people who have sustained physical injuries playing sports
·
Enhances
athletic potential by using modern scientific theories
2.
Team Physician (Sports Medicine Physician):
Academic
Qualification:
·
BS/BSc
in Medicine, Sports Medicine
·
MS
in Medicine, Sports Medicine
·
Ph.D.
Team
Physician: Roles
·
Conducts
physical examinations before participation
·
Injury
evaluation and treatment
·
Medical
support for sporting events
·
Injury
avoidance
·
Fitness
and strength training
·
Understands
risks caused due to substance abuse
·
Advising
and educating coaches, administrators, and family members about sports-related
medical issues
3.
Nutritionist (Sports & Fitness):
Academic
Qualification:
·
BS/BSc
in Clinical Nutrition, Food and Nutrition
·
MS
in Nutrition, Exercise Physiology
·
Ph.D.
Sports
and Fitness Nutritionist: Roles
·
Prepares
an adequate meal plan after evaluating the athlete’s dietary requirements and
overall health
·
Advices
athletes on how to maintain a certain level of body mass, body fat, and muscle
mass
·
Creates
and provides advice on hydration protocols
·
Educates
athletes on the best diets for regaining health post injury/sickness
·
Offers
consumers diet recommendations to improve their endurance and vigor
·
Informs
clients on the need for post-workout recovery
·
Prepares
menus for team trips and training sessions
4.
Exercise Physiologist:
Academic
Qualification:
·
BS/BSc
in Clinical Nutrition, Food and Nutrition
·
MS
in Nutrition, Exercise Physiology
·
Ph.D.
Exercise
Physiologist: Roles
·
Plans
a suitable diet and exercise routine considering your medical history and
current fitness level
·
Creates
specialised fitness training regimens
·
Collaborates
with other fitness and sports specialists
·
Regularly
checks and reevaluates training schedules
·
Creates
reports and long-term studies
·
Follows
ongoing research to stay informed
·
Increases
public understanding on health and fitness related issues and the advantages of
sport and exercise
5.
Physical Therapist:
Academic
Qualification:
·
BS/BSc
in Physical Therapy (associated healthcare areas)
·
MS
in Physical Therapy (associated healthcare areas)
·
Ph.D.
Physical
Therapist: Roles
·
Plans
and carries out medically prescribed physical treatment
·
Analyses
and interprets assessments and test results
·
Plans
your physical treatment regimen in consultation with your doctor or pursuant to
a prescription
·
Records
patient care services
·
Teaches
patients how to perform appropriate workouts and therapies at home
·
Analyses
how prosthetic and orthotic devices are used and fitted, and makes necessary
adjustments and changes
Sports
Medicine: A Thriving and Expanding Industry
The
worldwide sports medicine market is rapidly gaining ground and is anticipated
to reach USD 9.1 billion by 2024 from USD 6.6 billion in 2019 (at a CAGR of
6.5%). According to Reportlinker, there are three primary causes for the
increase in popularity:
·
A
rise in sports injuries
·
The
ongoing introduction of new goods and medical techniques, and
·
Advancements
in the field of regenerative medicine
Additionally,
the worldwide sports market is predicted to increase significantly starting in
2021 and reach $556.1 billion in 2023 at a CAGR of 8%. In view of this, if you
have the interest, a career in sports medicine might be fulfilling.
For further assistance or queries students
can contact us, Edwise International, and avail of our wide range of services
for students on destinations like Universities in Australia, study in Australia, study in UK, study in USA, study in Canada, study in Ireland, study in New-Zealand, study in Singapore and many other countries.
