Sports Medicine

views updated May 23 2018

SPORTS MEDICINE

Sports medicine is a multidisciplinary field involving physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and other health care professionals trained in diagnosis, treatment, research, education, and prevention of athletic injuries. This team of professionals works together to enable an athlete to safely return to his or her sport as soon as possible after an injury or medical problem. These professionals also participate in research activities that further the understanding of different types of injuries and the human body's reaction to these injuries. Important facets of sports medicine are the pre-participation physical and the education of athletes, coaches, and parents in conditioning techniques in an attempt to prevent injuries and help athletes of all levels reach their full potential.

Joseph Congeni

(see also: Physical Activity; Prevention; Primary Prevention )

sports medicine

views updated May 21 2018

sports medicine n. a specialty concerned with the treatment of sports injuries and measures designed to prevent or minimize them.