Sports medicine is a branch of medicine that deals with physical fitness and the treatment and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise. Sports medicine is not just for professional athletes. A sports medicine team is often led by a physician however there are many other non-physician medical professionals who are critical to delivering care in sports medicine. Professional titles and education needed can range from physical therapists to certified athletic trainers and nutritionists. 

An Athletic Trainer is proficient at analyzing injuries, providing emergency medical care, prescribing strength training and cardiorespiratory endurance programs, and monitoring an athlete’s progress. Athletic trainers play an integral role in preventing injury in an athlete, rehabilitating an athlete after an injury, and keeping the athlete healthy throughout the season. Athletic trainers are qualified to work in high schools, outpatient clinics, hospitals, and sports teams. There is a high demand for athletic trainers in the working world, so finding a job is not difficult for these professionals.