A lot of you might enjoy playing or watching sports. Personally, I love playing and watching basketball. If you’re like me, this could be the perfect career path for you. You get to work closely with athletes, stay involved in the world of sports, and grow in a rewarding, high impact profession.
What is a sports doctor?
A sports doctor, or sports medicine physician, specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing injuries related to physical activity. Their expertise lies in the musculoskeletal system, which includes muscles, bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments. They provide care for both athletes and non-athletes, addressing everything from sudden injuries to long-term conditions caused by physical exertion. These professionals play a key role in promoting active lifestyles and ensuring safe, effective recovery from injuries.
What do they do?
- They develop strategies, training practices and proper warmup routines for injury prevention
- Guiding athletes to help recover from injuries
- Provide performance enhancement from proper nutrition and exercise
- Treat exercise related medical conditions such as concussions and asthma
- Help chronic diseases like diabetes and arthritis by developing exercise and physical activity plans
Sports doctors salaries
- Public-employed roles $70,000-$100,000 annually
- Private practices range from $150,000-$400,000+ annually
How?
- Bachelor’s Degree in BSc Kinesiology – Take required courses through secondary school
- Write the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
- Attend Medical School (4 years)
- Pass licensing exams
- Obtain certification in sports medicine
- Start practicing – Rehabilitation clinics, athletes and teams
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