Sports medicine uses medical and scientific knowledge to treat sports-inflicted, recreational activity or exercise injuries.  Sophomores, juniors, and seniors for the first time take this class taught by Brittany Adame ’06.

Adame, a sophomore biology teacher and cross country and girls’ track and field assistant coach, describes the process.

“It is a lot of work to start a new class,” said Adame.  “I have been in contact with many people who have either taught sports medicine or currently work in that field.  I also am part of a nationwide teacher group and am able to look at and share lesson plans with teachers across the country who also teach a similar subject.”

As the students learn how to prevent and care for athletic injuries, administer first aid and CPR, study sports psychology, therapy, and much more, they have access to school resources such as the athletic training room and the field to further enhance their learning experience.

In fact, Adame explains the sports medicine course “will be more of a hands-on class.”

“Students will have to show and demonstrate specific tasks such as taping and splinting,” Adame said.  “Many formal assessments will be hands on, as well as many projects will be focused on a group collaboration since in this specific field, collaboration is very common.”

Adame knows exactly how essential collaboration works, since she majored in health science and physical education at Northern Arizona University (NAU).  She shares her passion with SM through health, physical education, and science classes, as well as through coaching, where she frequently uses her sports medicine knowledge.

“I can and have taped my cross country runners’ ankles at meets if needed,” Adame said.

Adame felt she could not miss this opportunity when approached to teach this new class.

“I feel the students as well as myself are excited about this class,” Adame said.  “Each day is a brand-new lesson for all of us and so far I feel the lessons have gone smoothly.  As I continue to develop the class I am focusing on using many aspects to teach the students this information as well as using the resources we have as a school, and I am most excited about teaching students about first aid care in an athletic setting, as well as nutrition.”