The boom in sports activity is a global phenomenon. Millions of people from all countries, ages and social classes have become aware of the need to practice a sport to improve their health and be better with themselves. Although sport in itself is beneficial to our health, this practice can lead to some problems. It is here where this new branch of medicine, sports medicine, arises. This name is the one used in Latin America, because in Spain and Europe it is better known as sports medicine.
This branch of medicine focuses on the study of the impact of sport on the body, whether from an internal point of view, such as physical, mental or hormonal.
What is your focus and dedication?
This medical specialist has three main tasks: to guide, to prevent and to cure. Thus, sports medicine makes recommendations on nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits. In the field of administration, more and more athletes are being hired to develop public health strategies that promote sports practice in the population as a whole.
Prevention is one of the keys to this type of medicine because it is always preferable to cure
Athletes do preventive work in order to reduce the risks of injuries or health problems in the future. In this sense, some elite athletes receive massages as a preventive strategy to avoid possible injuries. A correct diet is also another preventive measure, as a good diet helps muscle regeneration.
Healing is the last section that this medicine offers. For various reasons an athlete can be injured and that is where the athlete intervenes. Among the measures that are adopted, we can highlight the following: treatments for minor injuries (muscle tears, strains or sprains), medium-term treatments that require rehabilitation exercises and more complex long-term treatments, where psychological therapy may be necessary that complement physical rehabilitation.
In any case, the measures adopted are aimed at returning the athlete to optimal performance.
Sports science has a multidisciplinary dimension
The medical specialist who focuses on the health of athletes has to be in contact with other professionals, such as physiotherapists, sports psychologists or nutritionists. Sports medicine is oriented at different levels: elite athletes, school sports, sports in the elderly or in people with some type of disability.
Photos: Fotolia - romaset / auremar
