Sports medicine

Sports medicine or sport medicine is an interdisciplinary subspecialty of medicine which deals with the treatment and preventive care of athletes, both amateur and professional. The team includes specialty physicians and surgeons, athletic trainers, physical therapists, coaches, other personnel, and, of course, the athlete.

History

The origins of sports medicine lie in a well ancient Greece and ancient Rome where physical education was a necessary aspect of youth – training and athletic contests first became a part of everyday life during these times.

Related Topics:
Ancient Greece - Ancient Rome - Physical education

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However, it was not until in 1928 at the Olympics in St. Moritz, when a committee came together to plan the First International Congress of Sports Medicine, that the term itself was coined.

Related Topics:
1928 - Olympics - St. Moritz - International Congress of Sports Medicine

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In the 5th century, however, the care of athletes was primarily the responsibility of specialists.

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They were trainer-coaches and were considered to be experts on diet, physical therapy, and hygiene as well as on sport-specific techniques.

Related Topics:
Diet - Physical therapy - Hygiene

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The first use of therapeutic exercise is credited to Herodicus, who is thought to have been one of Hippocrates' teachers.

Related Topics:
Herodicus - Hippocrates

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Until the 2nd century AD, when the first "team doctor", Galen, was appointed to the gladiators, the physician only became involved if there was an injury.

Related Topics:
Galen - Gladiator - Physician - Injury

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Whether or not there was good communication or rapport between the trainer-coaches and the team physician back then is a matter of speculation.

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What is clear however, is that from its beginnings, Sport Medicine has been multidisciplinary with the obligation not only to treat injuries but also to instruct and prepare athletes.

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This link with physical education has remained in place throughout its evolution.

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