What Are Some Popular Sports Medicine Careers?
Are you interested in medicine and helping people overcome sports injuries? As a graduate of a sports medicine degree program, you can pursue a variety of jobs, including personal trainer and physical therapist. Read on for details regarding some popular careers in sports medicine. Schools offering Education - Sports Management degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
A Career in Sports Medicine
A career in sports medicine requires understanding medical science, and human motion and exercise. There are undergraduate and graduate degree programs in sports medicine designed to prepare you for sports medicine career, but many related careers require additional education and licensure.
Personal Trainer
Personal trainers assist people with the development and execution of personalized exercise programs. In this career, you will work one-on-one with your clients to create exercise routines that meet your client's fitness needs. Many personal trainers work in fitness centers or health clubs where exercise facilities are readily available. Although a college degree is not required to be a personal trainer, most fitness facilities require trainers to be certified. A bachelor's degree in sports medicine can boost a personal trainer's credibility and chances for advancement.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in May of 2008 the number of jobs available for fitness workers, including personal trainers, was expected to increase by 29% between 2008 and 2018 (www.bls.gov). The BLS stated this was due to more people and businesses investing in health and fitness.
Athletic Trainer
As an athletic trainer, you will work with coaches, team physicians and physical therapists to treat and prevent sports-related injuries in high school, college or professional athletes. An accredited undergraduate degree is required to sit for the certification exam administered by the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA). Most states require licensure to become an athletic trainer.
The BLS reported in May of 2008 that employment for athletic trainers was expected to grow 37% by 2018. Most of these positions were expected to be concentrated in the healthcare industry.
Physical Therapist
Physical therapists are responsible for restoring and maintaining patients' overall fitness and health. In this career, you often work with patients who experience physical disability as a result of injury or disease. After reviewing a patient's medical history, you will assess the status of physical health and then develop a treatment plan that best suits the needs of the patient. As a physical therapist, you may work in a hospital, clinic or private office. To become a physical therapist, you'll need to complete a master's or Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree program and become licensed.
The amount of jobs for physical therapists was expected to grow by 30% over 2008-2018, reported the BLS in May of 2008. Restriction changes in for reimbursement on physical therapy services was expected to drive this expected increased demand.
Sports Physician
A sports physician is a medical doctor who specializes in the prevention and treatment of injuries and conditions related to sports activities. As a sports physician, you'll pursue education in a traditional medical school and then complete specialized sports medicine training. Some schools offer Doctor of Philosophy degree programs in sports science combined with another concentration, like rehabilitation and movement or orthopedics.
Sports physicians are often employed by professional sports teams and can be the team's primary medical resource. You job with a sports team will be to evaluate the physical well-being of the athletes. You may also help select and fit protective equipment to help prevent injuries.
In May of 2008, the BLS stated employment for physicians and surgeons overall was expected to grow 22% by 2018. This growth was expected to vary by specialty, technology advances and healthcare reimbursement policy changes.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
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