Sports medicine is a dynamic and rewarding field dedicated to the health and well-being of athletes and active individuals. Professionals in this area come from diverse medical, scientific, and physiological backgrounds, collaborating to provide comprehensive support for performance enhancement, injury prevention, and recovery. For those considering a Sports Doctor Career, the options are varied and promising.
“Sports medicine is a microcosm of medicine,” explains Dr. Nicholas M. Bernthal, MD, Chair and Executive Medical Director of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at UCLA. This perspective highlights the breadth of the field, encompassing numerous medical specialties all focused on the unique needs of athletes.
The essence of a sports doctor career lies in addressing the holistic health and performance of athletes. It’s not defined by a single treatment method but by the specific patient population – athletes – that attracts practitioners from many disciplines.
“Everybody loves the idea of sports medicine because they love elite athletes,” Dr. Bernthal notes. Success in a sports doctor career requires a deep understanding of the human body in motion and the ability to objectively analyze seemingly subjective aspects of athletic performance and injury.
UCLA’s Center for Sports Medicine exemplifies this multidisciplinary approach, bringing together experts to deliver collaborative and comprehensive athlete care.
UCLA’s Center for Sports Medicine: A Hub for Sports Doctor Careers
UCLA’s Sports Medicine Center mirrors the broader field by housing a diverse team of specialists. These experts work synergistically, much like a high-performing sports team, ensuring every aspect of an athlete’s care is coordinated and informed by multiple perspectives. This collaborative model enhances patient outcomes, as athletes benefit from a care plan that integrates various areas of expertise.
Dr. Bernthal emphasizes this integrated approach: “Consider an athlete coming back from an injury. Instead of thinking of the surgeon as only doing surgery and the physical therapist as only doing rehabilitation, we look at how all parts of recovery are or can be connected. Doing that allows us to excel.”
Southern California’s diverse athletic community further enriches the sports medicine environment at UCLA. The region’s wide range of sports and athletes presents unique opportunities for learning and innovation.
“In Southern California, we’ve got people of all backgrounds playing all kinds of sports at all ages,” Dr. Bernthal states. “They represent sports and interests from all over the world.”
This diversity fosters discovery. Treating athletes from less common sports can yield physiological insights applicable to athletes across various disciplines. For example, observing cricket players provided new perspectives on throwing mechanics for baseball players.
UCLA’s Sports Partnerships: Enhancing Sports Medicine Expertise
UCLA’s commitment to sports extends beyond athlete care to community engagement and promoting inclusivity through the universal language of sports.
UCLA proudly partners with prominent sports organizations like the Dodgers, Lakers, and Sparks. Recently, they were named the official team physicians for USA Basketball, providing healthcare for the USA men’s and women’s basketball teams in major international competitions.
In the partnership announcement, Dr. Bernthal expressed UCLA Health’s enthusiasm: “We’re honored to extend our Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine expertise to support USA Basketball. Our experience with top professional and collegiate athletes in Los Angeles, including the Lakers, Dodgers, Sparks, and UCLA Athletics, makes us primed to help USA Basketball optimize their performance on the global stage. We look forward to both providing best in class clinical care and partnering to innovate in sports science to develop tomorrow’s treatments.”
These partnerships are mutually beneficial, advancing sports medicine by providing UCLA’s team with opportunities to work with elite athletes who are highly motivated to prevent injuries and optimize performance.
“This is their livelihood,” Dr. Bernthal explains. “Major industries are supported by their performance. They have an unrelenting desire to achieve perfection in their physical state.”
Elite athletes’ dedication to peak physical condition and injury prevention offers invaluable learning experiences for sports medicine professionals at UCLA, insights that can be applied to a broader patient base.
“We learn so much from them that we can apply in caring for the broader patient population we serve,” Dr. Bernthal concludes. “Our mission is to take care of the athlete in everyone.”
Diverse Sports Doctor Career Paths
Considering a sports doctor career, the field is remarkably broad, encompassing a wide array of medical and physiological specialties. This extensive scope translates into diverse career opportunities, each with unique training and educational pathways.
The career options within sports medicine can be broadly categorized into roles requiring a traditional Medical Doctor (MD) track and those accessible through advanced degrees and certifications in related fields. Both paths offer fulfilling opportunities to contribute to athlete health and performance.
Sports Medicine Roles on the Medical School / MD Track
These sports doctor career paths necessitate a medical degree, followed by residency in a primary specialty and specialized fellowship training in sports medicine. These roles are typically physician-led, focusing on medical diagnosis, treatment, and management of athletic injuries and conditions.
Sports Medicine Roles on the Advanced Degrees and Certifications Track
These sports doctor career options require advanced degrees and/or specialized post-graduate training and certifications in allied health fields. These roles are crucial for providing comprehensive athlete care, focusing on rehabilitation, performance enhancement, and preventative strategies.
Exploring Specific Sports Doctor Careers
To provide a clearer picture of sports doctor career options, let’s delve into specific roles within sports medicine, outlining their responsibilities, employment opportunities, and earning potential.
Team Physician: The Sideline Doctor
A team physician is a medical doctor affiliated with a sports team or organization, providing comprehensive medical care akin to a primary care physician for the team. They handle routine, preventative, and urgent medical needs, ensuring athletes are healthy and ready to compete.
Team Physician Interview
Quick Facts: Team Physician
- Core Job Responsibilities:
- Managing athlete recovery and rehabilitation.
- Addressing sports-related health issues using medical interventions.
- Providing medical expertise for injury prevention and health optimization.
- Offering on-site medical support during games and travel.
- Employment Settings:
- Professional and Olympic teams.
- School and university athletic programs.
- Athletic organizations and conferences.
- Salary Expectations:
- Average physician salary in the US: ~$248,640 annually (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
- Team physician salary varies based on experience, team level (professional vs. college), and additional clinical practice.
Orthopedic Surgeon: The Musculoskeletal Expert
Orthopedic surgeons, also known as orthopedists, are physicians specializing in the musculoskeletal system, with expertise in surgical treatments. A sports doctor career as an orthopedic surgeon focuses on athletes’ unique musculoskeletal needs, addressing injuries and optimizing performance through surgical and non-surgical interventions.
Orthopedic Surgeon Interview
Quick Facts: Sports Orthopedic Surgeons
- Core Job Responsibilities:
- Treating musculoskeletal injuries and pain in athletes.
- Communicating with patients and stakeholders about recovery and treatment plans.
- Optimizing athletic performance and musculoskeletal health.
- Employment Settings:
- Professional and Olympic sports teams.
- Academic medical centers and research institutions.
- Sports medicine clinics and rehabilitation centers.
- Healthcare facilities and medical device companies.
- Salary Expectations:
- Estimated annual range: $200,000 to $600,000.
- Salary varies based on location, experience, specialization, and practice setting.
Sports Neurologist: Brain and Nerve Health in Athletes
Sports neurologists specialize in neurological injuries related to sports, such as concussions, spinal cord injuries, and nerve damage. A sports doctor career in neurology focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing these conditions, as well as developing preventative strategies for athletes’ neurological health.
Sports Neurologist Interview
Quick Facts: Sports Neurologists
- Core Job Responsibilities:
- Managing neurological injuries and rehabilitation.
- Developing safety protocols for athletes with neurological conditions.
- Promoting brain health and injury prevention education.
- Employment Settings:
- Professional and Olympic sports organizations.
- Concussion centers and sports medicine clinics.
- Academic medical centers and VA hospitals.
- Healthcare facilities and research institutions.
- Salary Expectations:
- Estimated annual range: $150,000 to $400,000.
- Salary depends on experience, location, specialization, and employment setting.
Sports Cardiologist: Heart Health for Active Individuals
Sports cardiologists are cardiologists with specialized expertise in the cardiovascular health of athletes. A sports doctor career in cardiology focuses on diagnosing and managing heart conditions in athletes, ensuring their cardiovascular health supports their active lifestyles and athletic pursuits.
Sports Cardiologist Interview
Quick Facts: Sports Cardiologists
- Core Job Responsibilities:
- Helping athletes with heart conditions safely participate in sports.
- Monitoring athletes for cardiovascular symptoms and risks.
- Educating athletes and staff on heart health and safety.
- Employment Settings:
- Professional and Olympic sports teams.
- Academic medical centers and research institutions.
- Sports medicine clinics and rehabilitation centers.
- Healthcare facilities and medical device companies.
- Salary Expectations:
- Estimated annual range: $100,000 to $470,000.
- Salary varies based on experience, location, specialization, and practice setting.
Sports Nutritionist / Registered Dietitian: Fueling Performance
Sports nutritionists and registered dietitians are vital for optimizing athlete performance through customized dietary plans. A sports doctor career, in this context referring to a specialist in athlete dietary needs, involves assessing individual athlete needs, creating nutritional strategies, and providing expertise to enhance training and recovery.
Sports Nutritionist Interview
Quick Facts: Sports Nutritionist / Registered Dietitians
- Core Job Responsibilities:
- Evaluating athlete dietary needs and preferences.
- Creating personalized nutrition plans for performance and health.
- Providing nutritional guidance for training and recovery.
- Employment Settings:
- Professional and Olympic sports teams.
- School and university athletic programs.
- Sports rehabilitation centers and clinics.
- Healthcare facilities and gyms.
- Salary Expectations:
- Estimated annual range: $50,000 – $80,000.
- Salary varies based on experience, education, certifications, and employment setting.
Certified Athletic Trainer: On-Field Injury Management
Certified athletic trainers are healthcare professionals who work directly with athletes to prevent, assess, and treat injuries. A sports doctor career as an athletic trainer involves hands-on care, injury management, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement strategies in collaboration with physicians and other specialists.
Athletic Trainer Interview
Quick Facts: Certified Athletic Trainer
- Core Job Responsibilities:
- Assessing, treating, and preventing athletic injuries.
- Developing training and treatment plans.
- Providing emergency and urgent care.
- Employment Settings:
- Professional and Olympic sports teams.
- School and university athletics.
- Sports medicine clinics and rehabilitation centers.
- Gyms, corporate, and military environments.
- Salary Expectations:
- Estimated annual range: $40,000 – $80,000 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
- Salary depends on experience, location, education, and employment setting.
Physical Therapist: Restoring Movement and Function
Physical therapists in sports medicine specialize in helping athletes recover from injuries and prevent future ones through exercise-based rehabilitation programs. A sports doctor career as a physical therapist focuses on restoring movement, function, and strength, enabling athletes to return to peak performance.
Physical Therapist Interview
Quick Facts: Sports Physical Therapists
- Core Job Responsibilities:
- Developing and implementing rehabilitation plans.
- Improving athlete mobility, strength, and range of motion.
- Educating athletes on long-term injury prevention.
- Employment Settings:
- Professional and Olympic sports teams.
- School and university athletic programs.
- Sports rehabilitation centers and clinics.
- Healthcare facilities and gyms.
- Salary Expectations:
- Estimated annual range: $70,000 to $130,000 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
- Salary varies based on experience, location, specialization, and practice setting.
Sports Psychologist: Mental Edge and Well-being
Sports psychologists focus on the mental and emotional aspects of athletic performance and well-being. A sports doctor career in psychology involves helping athletes optimize their mindset, manage stress, enhance motivation, and improve mental resilience for peak performance and overall mental health.
Sports Psychologist Interview
Quick Facts: Sports Psychologists
- Core Job Responsibilities:
- Managing mental health needs of athletes and teams.
- Providing psychological insights for performance optimization.
- Offering individual counseling and support.
- Employment Settings:
- Professional and Olympic sports teams.
- School and university athletic programs.
- Concussion centers and sports medicine clinics.
- Healthcare facilities and research institutions.
- Salary Expectations:
- Estimated annual range: $80,000 to $150,000 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
- Salary depends on experience, location, specialization, and employment setting.
Choosing a sports doctor career offers a fulfilling path to work with athletes, contribute to their health and performance, and be part of a dynamic and evolving field. Whether you pursue a medical degree or advanced certifications in allied health, opportunities abound to make a significant impact in the world of sports medicine.
