Chapter 1

2. Chapter 1 Sports Medicine: The Multidisciplinary Approach to Athletic Health Care

3. Objectives • Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to: • Discuss what sports medicine entails today • Describe the different professions associated with athletic health care • Discuss the role of coaches • Discuss the role parents play in injury prevention and treatment

4. Sports Medicine • Multidisciplinary approach to health care • The study and application of scientific and medical knowledge to aspects of exercise and athletics • Specialists elicit help from many different disciplines • Developed into a recognized field in the early twentieth century

5. Sports Medicine (cont’d.) • History of sports medicine • American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) • Founded in 1954 • Athletes require broadly trained physician when first dealing with injury • “Sports medicine specialists”

6. Sports Medicine (cont’d.) • Sports medicine today • Focuses on physical performance and body condition • If a person aims to stay in shape, strenuous exercise and athletic participation is necessary • Comprised of all ages and both sexes

7. Sports Medicine (cont’d.) • Sports medicine today (cont’d.) • Modern competitive sports have gone above and beyond past athletic activities • Business value • Strength of athletes • Level of importance placed on success

8. Professions Associated with Sports Medicine • Certified athletic trainers use a team approach for treatment: • Health professionals involved include: • School nurse • Family physician • Chiropractor • Specialists

9. Professions (cont’d.) • Team physicians • Refer athletes back to family physicians for primary care • Monitor progress • Family physicians • Have complete medical history • Supervise long-term care

10. Professions (cont’d.) • Physician assistant (PA) • Provide diagnostic and therapeutic patient care • Patient histories, physical examinations, order laboratory and diagnostic studies, and develop treatment plans • Physical therapists (PT) • Specialized areas • Work in a variety of settings

11. Professions (cont’d.) • Physical therapy assistant (PTA) • Works PT to provide patient care • Assists in developing and modifying treatment plans and documenting progress • Chiropractor • Conservative management of neuromusculoskeletal disorders and functional clinical conditions • Spinal manipulation

12. Professions (cont’d.) • Certified athletic trainer • Discussed in Chapter 2 • Massage therapist • Work with physicians, nurses, and physical therapists • Promote health and healing and help manage stress

13. Professions (cont’d.) • Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist/Personal Trainer • Specialized fitness instructors • Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) • National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) • American Council on Exercise (ACE) • National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)

14. Professions (cont’d.) • Sports nutritionist • Design special diets that allow the athlete to achieve their best results in athletic events • Sports psychologist • Well versed in athletics, motivation, and performance • Use goal setting and imagery

15. Professions (cont’d.) • The role of coaches in the athlete’s circle of care • Teaches and directs activities • Teaches how to compete without injury • Refers athletes to the certified athletic trainer or family physician as soon as an injury occurs

16. Professions (cont’d.) • The role of parents in the athlete’s circle of care • Good communication is helpful if an injury occurs • Should teach athletes to distinguish between discomfort and the pain of injury • Proper nutrition and conditioning should be discussed

17. Conclusion • Sports and exercise have been a part of culture since long before the first Olympic Games in ancient Greece • Today’s athletes range in age • Athletes require specialized care that addresses a variety of different concerns • Best rendered by a variety of specialists