Duties

Sports physicians treat musculoskeletal injuries that occur as a result of participation in sports, such as knee and shoulder injuries, ankle sprains, head injuries, tendonitis and fractures. Additionally, primary care sports physicians may treat chronic health conditions that can affect athletic performance, such as asthma and diabetes. Sports physician counsel athletes, helping them maximize performance, prevent injuries and lead a healthy lifestyle. They may suggest supplements, diet plans or exercise regimens to address performance issues. They may also help athletes with psychological or substance abuse issues related to sports. Sports physicians collaborate with physical therapists, athletic trainers and other healthcare professionals to plan courses of treatment and rehabilitation for their patients.

Salary: $202,392

Education:

Undergraduate students interested in becoming sports physicians should take courses in chemistry, organic chemistry, physics and biology. An undergraduate degree is generally required for medical school. It is also important for undergraduate students to participate in extracurricular activities and demonstrate leadership abilities in order to be competitive applicants for medical school. After completing their undergraduate education, aspiring sports physicians must complete four years of medical school. They must then pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) before they may practice medicine.