978-1-4222-3268-2

and amateur athletes, said that high school students considering the field should take as many science classes as possible—and do well in them. “PT school is challenging and competitive,” Steigbigel said, so a commitment to hardwork is important. Some physical therapy programs now require high school students to shadow a professional like Steigbigel, so they get a sense of the work and the skills the job requires. College Choices All of the different sports medicine jobs share an emphasis on sciences that explore how the body (and sometimes the mind) works. That means taking courses in physiology , which is the study of muscles, organs, and cells, and how they work. Another important subject is anatomy, which focuses on the structure of the body. These classes and others help sports medicine experts know what is wrong when athletes are injured. Some of the other subjects examine how the body should move properly ( kinesiology ) and how to provide care for specific injuries. For each of the four main fields covered in this book, here’s a closer look at the academic programs and other requirements you’ll need to fulfill before starting your job.

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