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for players still recovering from
an injury.
Sports medicine also goes
beyond an athlete’s physical
well-being. Sometimes athletes,
especially younger ones, see
the team trainer as someone
they can come to with personal
problems or ask about health issues not
related to their sport. Says UConn’s Howard,
“You’re that trusted medical resource.” And
for athletes strugglingwith a loss of confidence
or other mental issues, sports
psychologists
are available to help. Dr. Sean Richardson, a
leading sports psychologist, summed up the
job for the Web site Careers in Psychology:
“You’re trying to help them deal with things
in their life that may be holding them back
from achieving higher performance.”
No matter what their specific job is, sports
medicine experts share two traits: They love
sports, and they care about the athletes they treat.
13
I
ntroduction
Athletes of all kinds—
professional or amateur—
can benefit from working
with a professional
physical therapist to make
sure workouts are done
risk free.