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.
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