Career focus: Physiotherapy

With the growing number of sportspersons, the need for specialists in sports medicine has also risen.

The Indian public loves sports and they adore sports heroes. They all love to see their stars, especially cricketers, diving around on the lush outfield without worrying much about their clothes or injuries.

With the growing number of sportspersons and a great demand for professionalism, the need for specialists in sports medicine has also risen.

Sports physiotherapy is a specialised job, ideal for a doctor or a physiotherapist as he/she is better equipped to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the player. Once you enter this field, you can specialise in psychology, dietetics, physiotherapy, biochemistry and kinetics. The list is long. People like Andrew Leipus and John Gloucester changed the way a generation of Indian cricketers viewed the game.

From a time when one couldn’t find a bandage in the Indian dressing room to a point where top cricketers don’t have to be coaxed into the gymnasium, these guys have made an impact on the game. Yes! The new breed of physiotherapists sports therapists are here to stay.

What you need
Prioritise your field of sport. That’s important, as each sport requires a different kind of training. As far as basics are concerned, to become a physio, start with school level participation and continue with either a Bachelor of Physical Education degree followed by a sports coaching diploma or participate as a professional and then move on to coaching in later years. Become teachers of physical education and sports after a three-year BP Ed after 10+2 or a one-year BPE after graduation. Continue with MP Ed or MPE and even pursue a Ph D to teach in sports colleges.

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