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therapists, the trainer might play that role. Or the athletes might go to private PT clinics with staff that specializes in sports medicine. Before the Game

Away From the Game

Not all the work of athletic trainers, PTs, and other sports medicine professionals takes place after an injury. Nutritionists help athletes eat a proper diet to stay healthy and strong. Other members of the sports medicine team try to ensure that athletes do the proper training, such as lifting weights, exercising, and stretching, to keep them in top shape and hopefully prevent injuries in the first place. And in many sports, a trainer takes time before the game to tape the athletes or prepare braces

For some people interested in sports medicine, their contributions come in a lab, not in the locker room. Doctors and therapists who might not want to regularly treat patients can turn to research positions in sports medicine. That includes studying how the body moves during physical activity and how to improve performance; finding new methods for preventing and treating sports injuries; and studying the effect of physical activity on different parts of the body. Many researchers interested in sports medicine belong to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The ACSM is dedicated to advancing sports medicine and exercise science. Researchers may not step on the field, but they make important contributions.

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C areers O ff the F ield • Health Careers in Sports