Sports medicine is a division of health care that involves the treatment and restoration of sports-related injuries, in addition to the optimization of human performance in exercise and sport.
As an example of both ends of the sports medicine spectrum, orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists help restore functionality after injuries related to physical activity, while certified strength specialists and dieticians help optimize athletic abilities.
If you have a passion for exercise/sports and the desire to pursue a clinical health career, the field of sports medicine may be right for you.
The following is a list (in alphabetical order) of six popular careers related to sports medicine including job description, duties, salary* and requirements information for each.
Athletic Trainer
Athletic Trainers are allied healthcare specialists who are highly skilled in preventing, diagnosing, evaluating, treating, and rehabilitating various sports-related injuries.
They are commonly employed by high school, collegiate and professional sports teams - and to a lesser degree by physician practices, hospitals and fitness centers.
Primary Role
- First healthcare provider on the scene of an injury
- Diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic sports injuries
- Provide injury prevention education
Education Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a National Athletic Trainer’s Association (NATA) accredited college or university athletic training program
- Board of Certification (BOC) certification
- Master’s degree in athletic training (not required, but highly recommended to advance career opportunities)
Avg. Annual Wage*
- $44,720
Learn more about the Athletic Trainer occupation.
Dietitian
The following information pertains to Dietitians in general. Click here to learn about Sports Dietitians.
Dietitians develop food and nutrition plans, manage meal preparation, and supervise the delivery of meals. They protect against and treat illnesses by nurturing healthy eating patterns and advising dietary adjustments. Dietitians are largely employed by hospitals, health clinics and agencies, sports teams, athletes and exclusive fitness centers, spas and resorts.
Primary Role
- Assess nutritional needs of patients or athletes and develop/implement dietary programs
- Manage nutritional intake of patients with renal diseases, diabetes, other metabolic disorders, or those critically ill
- Manage nutritional intake for patients in hospitals and clinics and for students in schools
Education Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in dietetics from an American Dietetic Association (ADA) approved college or university dietetics program
- Registered Dietitian licensure (required by most states)
Avg. Annual Wage*
- $56,300
Exercise Physiologist
Exercise Physiologists increase their client’s/patient’s quality of life, overall health, and fitness levels by developing and implementing individualized wellness programs and exercise modalities based on his or her particular requirements.
Primary Role
- Directors of university and corporate fitness/wellness programs
- Researchers in sports medicine and exercise programs
- Exercise specialists in cardiac rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation and obesity programs at hospitals, clinics and physician private practices.
- Fitness instructors and trainers in fitness centers, resorts and corporations
Education Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in exercise science or related major
- ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist certification (not required, but highly recommended to advance career opportunities)
- Master’s degree in exercise physiology (not required, but highly recommended for certain positions - more hospitals, clinics and fitness centers are now requiring/heavily favoring graduate degrees for their EP’s)
Avg. Annual Wage*
- $48,790
Learn more about the Exercise Physiologist occupation.
Orthopedic Surgeon (Sports Medicine Specialty)
Sports medicine orthopedic surgeons are physicians that specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients - many of which are athletes or physically active individuals - with injuries to bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons.
Primary Role
- Provide diagnosis and medical/surgical treatment of sports-related bone and joint injuries such as fractures, dislocations, sprains, strains and ligament tears.
Education Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree
- 4 years of medical school
- 4 years orthopedic surgery residency
- 1-2 years fellowship in sports medicine
- American Board of Orthopedic Surgery accreditation
Avg. Annual Wage**
- $760,000
Physical Therapist
The following information pertains to Physical Therapists in general. Click here to learn about Sports Physical Therapists.
Physical therapists are healthcare experts who provide physical rehabilitation to people of all ages who have medical complications, health-related conditions, illnesses, or injuries that restrict their capacity to carry out activities of daily living and in the case of athletes their ability to perform. They are commonly employed by hospitals, clinics and physician private practices.
Primary Role
- Rehabilitation of injuries or conditions related to work, physical activity and genetics, including back and neck injuries, joint injuries, sprains and strains, fractures, arthritis, burns, stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and various neuropathies that affect movement.
Education Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree through a Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited program (Master’s programs have been phased out and the DPT has become the standard to become a PT)
- Passing score on the National Physical Therapy Examination or state-specific exam to receive license to practice
Avg. Annual Wage*
- $82,180
Strength & Conditioning Specialist
Strength & conditioning specialists are physical fitness professionals who implement scientific expertise to improve athlete power, strength and endurance with the main objective of boosting sporting performance. They typically work as strength and conditioning coaches for both collegiate and professional sports teams, as well as fitness centers.
Primary Role
- Develop and implement strength training programs
- Instruct proper execution of weight training movements to prevent injury
- Perform sport-specific tests, in addition to power, strength and endurance tests
- Provide basic guidance on athlete nutrition, including nutrient timing
Education Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in exercise science or related major
- National Strength and Conditioning Association CSCS certification
Avg. Annual Wage***
- $40,000
Learn more about the Strength & Conditioning Specialist occupation.
* 2013 average salary data from www.bls.gov/ooh/
** 2012 average salary data from 2012 MGMA Physician Compensation Survey
*** 2013 average salary data from www.salary.com
