Exercise Science / Sports Medicine
Description
Sports Medicine is the field of medicine concerned with
injuries sustained in athletic endeavors, including their
prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The purpose of injury
prevention and treatment is to maintain optimal health and
maximize peak performance. Traditionally, sports medicine
was the sole domain of the team doctor, who worked mostly
with college, professional, and Olympic athletes. Today,
however, the sports medicine team is comprised of many
disciplines including, for example, athletic training, biomechanics,
exercise physiology, and nutrition. Sports medicine
specialists also work with non-professional athletes and those participating in various recreational activities, for
example children involved in youth sports or older adults training for foot races.
Exercise Science is the study of movement and the associated
functional responses and adaptations. In this context,
an exercise scientist must understand the scientific basis
underlying exercise-induced physiological responses. The
field of exercise science involves a range of disciplines
similar to those in sports medicine; consequently, it is
common for exercise science professionals to work in
sports medicine facilities. The field of exercise science,
however, is typically much broader than sports medicine,
ranging from the study of how organ systems work at the
cellular level when confronted with disease, to improving
the biomechanical efficiency of an employee working on an
assembly line.
Strict categorizing of a specific discipline (for example,
exercise physiologist, dietitian, biomechanist) to either
sports medicine or exercise science is difficult. It simply
depends on the emphasis and application of the setting in
which one works. What is important to understand is that
many different disciplines comprise what is called sports
medicine and exercise science. And they work together as
a team in order to understand and ultimately improve the
health and performance of the whole individual. Without this
multidisciplinary approach to the whole person, the end
result tends to be less than optimal. A rigorous training
program, for example, may have little impact on the health
or performance of an individual if nutritional considerations
are neglected.
(Information provided by: the American College of Sports Medicine
Public Information Committee Members and approved by the
American College of Sports Medicine )
Possible Careers
- Athletic Trainer
- Biomechanist
- Dietitian/Sports Nutritionist
- Employee Fitness Director
- Exercise Physiologist
- Occupational Physiologist
- Personal Trainer
- Physical/Occupational Therapist
- Strength & Conditioning Coach
Skills Learned
Required Prerequisites
Algebra I or equivalent (grade C or better)
Helpful Background
Interest in math and science
Career Center Locations
Pioneer Career & Technology Center
Pioneer Career & Technology Center, Willard
For more information contact your guidance counselor or the following instructors at your local career center!
Teacher (both locations) - Mike Millward
Information For Current Students in the Exercise Science & Sports Medicine Program
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