Sports and Recreational Medicine

This document has been endorsed by the American Academy of Family Physicians and was developed in cooperation with the Association of Departments of Family Medicine, the Association of Family Practice Residency Directors and the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine.

The U.S. Public Health Service has identified increased physical activity as a major priority in Healthy People 2010, our national health objectives for the year 2010. Regular physical activity has been recognized as an important component of a healthy lifestyle. Family physicians often function as the "team physician" in the communities in which they practice. This function often involves the provision of physical examinations appropriate to the age of the athlete as well as assessment of and care for the injured athlete. Moreover, as an increasing number of Americans attempt to meet the objectives of Healthy People 2010, family physicians can serve as health advisors and motivators in the arena of increased physical activity in persons of all ages. Because of these objectives, attention to principles of exercise physiology and the relationship of exercise to optimal functioning of many organ systems is important in the training of family practice residents.

The teaching of recreation to the family unit should also be included in the sports medicine system of family practice residency training. The rationale for extending education and recreation to the family unit is the promotion of personal and family well-being. Structured family recreational activities promote pleasant exercise, family togetherness, attention to nutrition and increased awareness of general health issues.

Family practice residencies should encourage their residents to engage in regular exercise and, in particular, to engage in exercise with members of their families. Residents who develop structured educational and scheduled recreational activities with their own families will be more likely to teach recreational principles to the family units of their patients.

The resident should develop attitudes that recognize the following:

The implementation of this curriculum should be longitudinal throughout the resident's experience. The resident's library should have reference material available that amplifies the topics in the curricular guidelines. The curricular guidelines should be integrated into the schedule of conferences and other teaching modalities, such as hands-on workshops and videotapes. The resident should gain hands-on experience as a team physician and be involved in on-site medical management of recreational and sporting events. An evaluation of the effectiveness of the program is essential. Physicians who have demonstrated enthusiasm in caring for the athlete should be available to act as role models to the residents. A multidisciplinary approach, coordinated by the family physician, is an optimal way of structuring teaching experiences in this area. Individual attention and small group discussions will help promote appropriate attitudes. Each family practice resident should be able to demonstrate the ability to work with various persons involved in the total treatment of the athlete. This ability will include an understanding of relationships with athletes, parents, coaches, trainers, officials, medical consultants and various medical and para-medical personnel in the community. The residents must have active responsibility in the decision-making of patient care in this arena. Precise details of the implementation will depend on locally available facilities, faculty, pre-existing programs, goals of the residency and the attitudes and level of interest of the existing residents.

Published 7/84
Revised 5/87
Revised 7/95
Revised for review on 01-25-01