Overview of Sports Medicine Degrees

With the increase in intensity and involvement in sports and exercise, sports medicine physicians are more in demand than ever before. Sports medicine physicians are doctors whose specialty is dealing with physical activity or sports and the diagnosis and treatment of injuries sustained during exercise and sports activities at all skill levels. 

Sports medicine physicians have to go through a rigorous academic journey before being able to practice in the field. Many sports medicine physicians will get their Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a related field before moving on to medical school, this will give them a solid foundation of the anatomy, injuries, and treatments they may encounter in their future careers.

By the time they have become a practicing sports medicine physician, they will have had countless hours of hands-on practice in labs and applying those skills to real-life situations in clinical experiences. 

A sports medicine physician will have to communicate with not only the athletes but potentially parents and coaches depending on the level of activity. They will have to be able to effectively communicate their diagnosis and plan to those involved, and be able to execute their plan to return the individual to their sport or activity. 

Although it is a tough road, becoming a sports medicine physician can be a very rewarding and dynamic profession.

What is a Sports Medicine Physician?

A sports medicine physician uses their skills and knowledge of the human body to treat the musculoskeletal injuries individuals involved in sports or fitness activities may sustain. 

Although they do not perform surgery, they are adept at diagnosing conditions such as sprains, fractures, concussions, and more. Sports medicine physicians may be the first line of defense in an individual’s injury process. They are able to distinguish if the injury is something that can be rehabilitated through physical therapy or if it is severe enough to require further testing, imaging, or even surgery. 

A sports medicine physician uses established protocols and examination techniques to help determine the cause of injury and the best treatment option to safely and efficiently return the individual to sport or activity. They can help the athlete learn different exercises or techniques to avoid injury in the future as well as help guide them in nutrition to make sure they are getting the essential nutrients they need to perform at their top level while avoiding injury.

Injury Diagnosis

When an individual is injured, the first question they probably have is “What is wrong?”. This is where a sports medicine physician comes in. They will perform a thorough evaluation of the affected body part(s) starting with asking questions about how it happened, what the pain feels like, what causes the pain, and if they have any history of injury to the area. Once they are able to determine the mechanism of injury and when the pain occurs, they will perform a series of manual muscle and special tests that can help identify what specific part of the body is involved. From here, they will decide if further imaging is needed.

Injury Treatment

Once the injury has been diagnosed, the sports medicine physician will start comprising a treatment plan. This can range from daily exercises to strengthen weakened muscles or ligaments, medications, casting, therapeutic modalities such as ultrasound or electrical stimulation, or surgical intervention. Individuals may continue to go to their sports medicine physician consistently depending on their treatment plan, in these cases, the sports medicine physician may gradually increase the intensity of their rehabilitation exercises or other techniques that they may have been using on their patient. During the treatment process, it is imperative that the sports medicine physician maintains open lines of communication with the patient, parents, coaches, and any other medical personnel involved about the individual’s progress and limitations.

What are the Benefits of a Sports Medicine Degree?

A sports medicine degree allows graduates to take their love of exercise and healthy living and apply it to those who need assistance getting back to their activity or sport. That being said, it can be an extremely rewarding profession that will always be in demand. Sports medicine physicians also have a variety of settings they can choose to work in such as youth sports, professional sports, the military, or hospitals.

What Will I Learn in a Sports Medicine Program?

A sports medicine program will focus mostly on the anatomy of the human body, injury diagnoses, injury care and prevention, rehabilitation, nutrition, pharmacology, and other related courses. Students in a sports medicine program will have to take multiple levels of these courses as well as participate in clinical experiences, internships, residencies, and fellowships. At the conclusion of their sports medicine program, graduates will be able to assess and treat an injured individual to ensure they are healthy enough to return to their activity.

How Do You Become A Sports Medicine Physician?

Bachelor’s Degree

For those whose goal is to become a sports medicine physician, they must be prepared for the academic journey they are about to embark on. The first step on the journey to becoming a sports medicine physician is to obtain a bachelor’s degree. Many students opt for a degree in a related field such as biology, kinesiology, athletic training, or pre-med. This degree should encompass basic classes to gain an understanding of topics such as anatomy, biochemistry, genetics, psychology, and kinesiology. 

Medical College Admissions Test

Next, students will have to sit for and pass the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Some students start preparing for the MCAT as soon as they begin their bachelor’s degree and will schedule to take their test sometime before their junior year. This 7 ½ hour, standardized test consists of multiple choice questions to evaluate the student’s understanding of science, communication, reasoning, and writing skills. The MCAT is composed of 4 separate sections:

• Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems: Students will have 95 minutes to answer 59 multiple-choice questions to gauge their understanding of organic/inorganic chemistry, biology, and biochemistry.
• Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems: Students will have 95 minutes to answer 59 multiple-choice questions to gauge their understanding of physics, biology, chemistry, and biochemistry.
• Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior: Students will have 95 minutes to answer 59 multiple-choice questions to gauge their understanding of biology, sociology, and introductory psychology.
• Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills: Students will have 90 minutes to answer 52 multiple-choice questions to gauge their understanding of social sciences, humanities, and reading comprehension.

Each program will have its own minimum score for acceptance, but the average score on the MCAT is 125 out of 132 for each of the four sections or 500 out of 528 for all four sections combined. While students are able to retake the MCAT to increase their scores, one should be aware that schools may take the average of all test scores for their application.

Medical School

Once an individual has passed the MCAT, it is time to attend medical school. Students can choose to obtain a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) or a Doctor of Medicine (MD). While both degrees are similar in how they treat patients, a DO program centers around preventative care and the musculoskeletal system. Those enrolled in a DO program should be prepared to take courses that focus on anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, and medical ethics.

Residency Program

After obtaining a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) or a Doctor of Medicine (MD), future sports medicine physicians will have to complete their residency. A residency is a training program for physicians newly graduated with a DO or MD. It will provide the specialized skills and hands-on experience needed to become a successful sports medicine doctor. Residency programs for those interested in becoming a sports medicine physician last three years.

Fellowship

Although the residency program will provide the needed experience and skills to become a physician, a fellowship is where you will enhance your knowledge in the specialty of sports medicine. A fellowship can last one to two years and can take place in a variety of settings such as being the team doctor for collegiate sports or working in a sports medicine clinic.

Licenses and Certifications

The final step to becoming a sports medicine physician is to ensure the individual has obtained the needed licenses and certifications. Those who opted for a Doctor of Medicine (MD) will have to take and pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), while those who obtained a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) will have to take and pass the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam (COMLEX-USA). Once one has passed the exam needed for their degree, they will have to take the Certification of Added Qualification (CAQ) since sports medicine is a subspecialty. Along with renewing the CAQ every 10 years, sports medicine physicians must also complete continuing education credits every 3 years to stay up to date on evolving procedures and practices.

What is the Career Outlook for Sports Medicine?

With the continuing increase in popularity of sports, fitness, and healthy living, the need for sports medicine professionals is climbing. Not only are collegiate and professional sports teams employing sports medicine professionals, but local schools, recreational sports, and others are too. Due to the growing need for sports medicine professionals in these emerging settings, the outlook for a career in sports medicine is excellent. With an expected annual increase of 2.15% until the year 2029, those looking to become a sports medicine physician can feel confident in the job security of their career choice.
https://www.recruiter.com/careers/sports-medicine-physicians/outlook/#:~:text=Vacancies%20for%20this%20career%20have,over%20the%20next%20few%20years.

Sports Medicine Degrees by State