It is my intent that this book will provide helpful information to athletes, coaches, trainers, health professionals, students, and all others with a personal interest in the subject of sports medicine. When people hear the term sports medicine, the most common association is that of injury related to sports, and what care is given to an injured athlete.
But the field of sports medicine is much broader in terms of information that athletes at all levels and all ages should have to enhance their enjoyment, safety, and performance in athletics.
The book will cover many additional topics: exercise physiology, fitness testing, exercise and health, nutrition, drug use in athletics, women’s issues in sports medicine, and environmental exposure to heat, sun, and altitude.
The book will introduce you to the most common sports injuries to help the reader understand how medical professionals diagnose and treat such injuries, but it is not intended in any way to substitute for good medical care. Quite simply, if you get hurt in sports and have significant pain or limitation of your exercise or daily activities, you should seek help from your doctor.
The book may be used as a stand-alone reader or in conjunction with courses taught in high schools and colleges.
