The National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) is a professional sports medicine organization geared towards those who work as athletic trainers. Athletic trainers may be personal trainers – those who work with individuals or small groups to help them get in better shape and lose weight, usually for aesthetic or health reasons. They may also work specifically with athletes and sports teams, in which case the goal is to improve athletic performance. Sports trainers are also hired to work with professionals who need to be physically fit for their jobs – such as those in the military or law enforcement. Any type of athletic trainer may join the NATA, and the majority of trainers in the United States do eventually choose to earn certification from the NATA and join the organization.

Sports medicine is a field that encompasses many healthcare disciplines, including athletic training, physical therapy, medicine, research, and others. Students interested in a career in sports medicine have several avenues to pursue depending on their career goals.

There are several emerging fields in athletic training that are creating more jobs for certified athletic trainers. As technical knowledge of injury prevention increases, so does the number of job prospects for new athletic trainers. The average salary is $44,030, with the top ten per cent earning over $60,000 annually. (Bureau of Labor Statistics) Pay and job prospects vary by setting.

Online study is an option for those earning a degree in sports medicine. The option of online study is a practical choice for those who already hold an associates in sports medicine and are currently working in entry-level positions, and anyone needing a flexible schedule. There is a wide variety of accredited universities offering different specialized degrees in sports medicine. Sports Medicine Schools offers a list of online schools and a search database of online programs categorized by program. 

Associate's degrees in sports medicine are offered through certain community colleges. Students must generally commit two years to earning an associate's degree although, on a part-time basis, it can take three or more years. Every college varies somewhat in the classes it requires and any additional requirements it puts in place to earn an associate's degree.

A bachelor's degree in sports medicine requires four years of full-time study, though many students are able to finish earlier if they have credits from high school, while others require more than four years because students need to retake classes or take only a part-time course load. Students must apply to a university or college that offers a four-year degree in sports medicine and be accepted to the institution on the basis of their high school grades, faculty recommendations, resumes, and personal essays. Many students transfer into bachelor's degree programs after completing associate's degrees in related disciplines, like fitness or personal training. 

Orthopaedics -- or orthopaedic surgery -- is a medical specialty concerned with the treatment and care of bone, joint, ligament, muscle, tendon, nerve, and skin (musculoskeletal) disorders. According to salary.com, the median salary for an orthopeadic surgeon in 2009 was $406,847. Orthopaedics work closely with other physicians as consultants or as team members in multi-system trauma.

Covering the cost of school is difficult for most students and they generally have to tap a number of resources to get all of the funding they need. Students may have to take out federal loans and private loans to supplement contributions from parents, from their own personal savings and income, and from any scholarship awards they won. Sports medicine students who have a strong academic and professional background and are resourceful should be able to cover the necessary costs. 

Sports medicine is a diverse field for individuals who are passionate about athletics, physical performance, and physical fitness for people from all walks of life. As with any occupation, it is important to maintain a standard for all sports medicine practitioners, whether they be physicians or athletic trainers. Certification is a crucial process when becoming a qualified sports medicine practitioner-- it ensures the public that you are skilled at your job, and it prevents those who are not from assuming a false title. 

There are good schools for sports medicine located across the country, offering athletic degrees, certificates, associate's degrees in sports medicine, and bachelor's degrees in athletic training. Each school teaches the skills needed to become a certified athletic trainer. Students can choose from a variety of different levels of education and different types of programs, online or on-campus. Sports Medicine Schools has a comprehensive list of universities, the types of degrees and certificates each one offers and their specializations.

Dr. Adam Cohen describes his duties as an orthopedic surgeon. He describes the daily job functions of this type of care-giver, and his role in keeping athletes healthy and able to perform the activities they love. Dr. Cohen also describes the benefit athletes could receive from a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon.