Sports Medicine

Sports Medicine Introduction Sports medicine is a branch of medicine that deals with identification, treatment, and prevention of injuries in sports (Edelson 53). In addition, it deals with physical fitness and wells of preventive services include education on safe training methods and procedures. On the other hand, rehabilitative services include ways to hasten recovery and avoid deterioration of injuries. The American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine (AOASM) classifies sports medicine into two classes that include surgical care and primary care (Schepsis and Busconi 78). Surgical care includes surgical operations that repair joints, ligaments, and tendons. Primary care includes all other medical procedures that do not involve surgery. Some aspects of primary care include nutritional guidance that helps athletes choose foods that promote physical activity and strength.Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Importance of sports medicine The sports industry is an important sector of the global economy. Countries that participate in national and international sports events generate revenue that develops their economies and improves lives of athletes (Schepsis and Busconi 61). Therefore, the health of athletes should be improved in order for countries and athletes to benefit fully (Engerbretsen and Steffen 961). Sports medicine is important because it monitors physical activities that involve many risks, which predispose athletes to injuries. Injuries cause great harm to the body and reduce performance and productivity of athletes. In addition, physical injuries may result in long-term physical complications such as organ amputation and paralysis (Engerbretsen and Steffen 961). For example, fractures cause joint pains, body aches, and arthritis. Therefore, it is important to avoid, and treat injuries. Regaining mobility and activity after injury requires skills of trained medical practiti oners who possess knowledge on how to induce recovery of bones and tissues (Engerbretsen and Steffen 961). Sports medicine is also important because it helps prevent future injuries thus enabling athletes improve their performance. Physical injuries cause great pain and suffering to athletes because they sometimes take long to heal. In addition, they occasionally lead to irreparable damages that end careers of athletes. Some athletes have been paralyzed due to severe brain injuries that resulted from physical injuries. In addition, others have had their hands or legs amputated to prevent further damage. Sports medicine helps prevent such incidences among athletes (Engerbretsen and Steffen 962). Common sports injuries Common sports injuries include concussion, muscle cramps, ankle sprain, ACL sprains, and shin splints (Schepsis and Busconi 39). Concussion results from extensive head trauma due to violent movement of the brain within the skull. Muscle cramps result from sudden contrac tion of muscles and consequent failure to relax. They do not cause serious complications because recovery is quick. ACL sprains results from poor coordination between feet and knees. They arise when knees twist while the feet are firmly positioned on the ground without any movement to complement the knees’ movements (Schepsis and Busconi 41). Ankle sprains result from excess stretching of ligaments due to strenuous physical activity. Shin splints results from overuse of muscles that connect the lower leg to the shinbone (Schepsis and Busconi 43). Conclusion Sports medicine is not a new concept in the world of athletics. Its history can be traced back to the 5th century. It involves identification, treatment, and prevention of injuries in sports. In addition, it deals with physical fitness and well-being of individuals involved in sports and physical exercises. It is a wide field of study and practice because it encompasses skills and knowledge of different professionals that include medical doctors, kinesiotherapists, athletic trainers, nurses, nutritionists, physiologists, and doctors of osteopathy. It takes care of all aspects associated with athletes’ safety and health. One of the most important aspects of sports medicine is the sport medicine team. It comprises therapists, coaches, physicians, and athletes. Each of these groups of members plays a different role in the team. Coaches develop training programs, physicians treat injuries, and therapists offer advice on appropriate training procedures. The primary focus of sports medicine is quick recovery of athletes from injuries. Common sports injuries include concussion, muscle cramps, ankle sprain, ACL sprains, and shin splints. Sports medicine is important because it prevents and cures injuries that may have long-term effects on athletes such as paralysis and organ amputation. In addition, its services are important because they help to improve the performance and safety f athletes. Edelson , Edward. Sports Medicine. London: Chelsea House, 2001. Print. Engerbretsen, Lars, and Steffen Kathrin. The Importance of Sports Medicine. British Journal of  Sports Medicine 43 (2009): 961-962. Print. Narvani, Amir, and Lynn Bruce. Key Topics in Sports Medicine. New York: Taylor Francis, 2006. Print. Schepsis, Anthony, and Busconi Brian. Sports Medicine. New York: Lippincott Williams Wilkins, 2006. Print. Snook, George. The History of Sports Medicine. The American Journal of Sports Medicine 12.4 (2011): 252-254. Print.