STUDY GUIDE FOR SPORTS MED
General Vocabulary
• Anatomy: The study of the structure of the body and its parts.
• ATC (Athletic Trainer Certified): A healthcare professional specializing in preventing, diagnosing, and treating musculoskeletal injuries, typically in athletes.
• Biomechanics: The study of the mechanical laws that govern the movement of the human body.
• CEUs (Continuing Education Units): Units of credit for continued professional development in various fields, especially in healthcare.
• C.S.C.S (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist): A certification for professionals in strength training and conditioning, focusing on improving athletic performance.
• Clinical Competencies: Skills and knowledge required to perform clinical tasks effectively, typically in healthcare.
• College Degrees: Academic qualifications (such as Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral) that are required for various sports medicine professions.
• Exercise Physiology: The study of how the body responds to physical activity and exercise.
• Kinesiology: The scientific study of human movement.
• Massage Therapist: A professional who uses massage techniques to relieve muscle tension and improve circulation.
• Musculoskeletal: Referring to the muscles and skeleton, and their associated structures.
• Orthopedic Surgeon: A medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal system disorders.
• Palpate: To examine or explore by touch, often used to assess injury or inflammation in muscles and bones.
• Physicians:
◦ D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine): A physician who practices a holistic approach, focusing on the whole body and using osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).
◦ M.D. (Doctor of Medicine): A medical doctor who practices conventional medicine.
• Physician Assistant (PA): A healthcare professional who practices medicine under the supervision of a doctor.
• Nurse Practitioner (NP): A nurse with advanced education and training who can diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medication, and offer patient care.
• Physical Therapist/Therapy: A healthcare professional who works with patients to restore movement and relieve pain following injuries or surgeries.
• Prosthetist/Prosthetics: A professional who designs, fits, and maintains artificial limbs (prostheses).
• Psychologist: A professional who studies and treats mental health issues, behavior, and emotional problems.
• Types of Physicians:
◦ Orthopedic Surgeon: Specialist in musculoskeletal injuries.
◦ Family Physician: Provides general healthcare to individuals and families.
◦ Neurologist: Specialist in treating diseases of the nervous system.
• State Licensure: The process of obtaining legal authorization to practice in a healthcare profession in a specific state, ensuring that the practitioner meets state standards and regulations.
Anatomical Directional Terms
1 Anterior: Toward the front of the body.
2 Distal: Away from the center of the body or point of attachment.
3 Inferior: Below or lower in position.
4 Lateral: Away from the midline of the body.
5 Medial: Toward the midline of the body.
6 Posterior: Toward the back of the body.
7 Proximal: Closer to the center of the body or point of attachment.
8 Superior: Above or higher in position.
Objectives
1 List all the members of the sports medicine team and be able to describe what each does:
◦ Athletic Trainer (AT): Prevents, evaluates, and treats injuries, often working on-site at athletic events.
◦ Orthopedic Surgeon: Diagnoses and treats musculoskeletal injuries and disorders, and may perform surgeries.
◦ Physical Therapist (PT): Provides rehabilitation exercises to improve strength and mobility after an injury.
◦ Sports Psychologist: Helps athletes cope with the mental and emotional aspects of injury and performance.
◦ Exercise Physiologist: Studies how the body responds to exercise and helps create conditioning programs for athletes.
◦ Massage Therapist: Relieves muscle tension and helps with recovery after injury.
◦ Dietitian/Nutritionist: Advises on proper nutrition for athletes to improve performance and health.
2 Refer to the sports medicine professions sheet and recognize job duties and educational requirements:
◦ Each profession within sports medicine (e.g., ATC, PT, physician, etc.) has specific job duties such as injury treatment, rehabilitation, and preventative care.
◦ Educational requirements typically include a relevant degree (e.g., Bachelor's or Master's) and certification or licensure specific to the profession.
3 List all requirements for certification for an athletic trainer:
◦ Education: A Bachelor's degree in Athletic Training from an accredited program.
◦ Certification Exam: Pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam.
◦ CPR and First Aid Certification: Current certification in basic life support.
◦ Continuing Education: Complete required CEUs to maintain certification.
4 List and describe 3 personal qualities for healthcare providers:
◦ Empathy: Understanding and caring about the patient's situation (e.g., an athletic trainer showing compassion when an athlete is frustrated with recovery).
◦ Communication: Clear and effective interaction with patients and colleagues (e.g., a physical therapist explaining exercises to a patient).
◦ Attention to Detail: Observing subtle signs of injury or illness that may affect treatment (e.g., a physician noticing a small but significant change in a patient’s condition).
5 Difference between a certified athletic trainer and a personal trainer:
◦ Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC): Works with athletes to prevent, diagnose, and treat injuries. Often requires a degree, certification, and licensure.
◦ Personal Trainer: Focuses on helping individuals achieve fitness goals, such as weight loss or strength training. Certification is often required but does not involve medical treatment.
6 Discuss requirements for licensure and CEUs for healthcare workers:
◦ Licensure: Each state has specific requirements to practice in certain healthcare professions (e.g., athletic training, physical therapy), which may include passing exams and meeting education standards.
◦ CEUs: Continuing Education Units are required to ensure professionals stay current with new practices, technologies, and research.
Review & Repeat
• Make sure to review anatomical directional terms (anterior, distal, inferior, etc.) and understand how to apply them to describe body positions and movements.
• Practice associating the members of the sports medicine team with their roles, responsibilities, and educational paths.
• Consider the requirements for certification, licensure, and continuing education in healthcare professions to understand the ongoing responsibilities of these professionals.
This study guide should provide a solid foundation for your exam or review session. Make sure to go over each topic multiple times to reinforce your understanding!