Participation in sports can strengthen the body's cardiovascular system, improve stamina, and provide a sense of physical well-being. However, sports can also result in injury. Sports medicine concerns itself with preparing athletes to compete at an optimal level while avoiding injury, and with managing any injuries that do occur. Sports medicine practitioners can be both physicians and paramedical staff. In some cases, they are involved in developing helmets and other protective gear for athletes.

One of the earliest practitioners of sports medicine was the Greek physician Herodicus, who developed therapeutic diets and exercise regimes for athletes in the 5th century B.C. The first team physician was Galen, who in 157 trained and treated gladiators competing in public games. Despite these early examples, sports medicine did not come into its own until the 20th century. The first textbook on the subject was published in 1910, and the term...