Inside Sports Medicine
Physicians Shaping the Future of Treatment
Written by Megan Bevins
While participating in sports or living a generally active lifestyle comes with many health benefits, it also carries an increased risk of bodily injury, sometimes resulting in athletes being forced to stop doing the things they love. Medical professionals specializing in sports medicine work to guide these individuals through recovery, encourage preventative measures to decrease the likelihood of injury or strain and spearhead new techniques that promote more efficient solutions, getting their patients safely back to pursuing their passions as quickly as possible.
A. J. Monseau, M. D., grew up around sports and witnessed directly the mental and physical demands athletics can have. He now serves as professor of emergency medicine at the West Virginia University( WVU) School of Medicine and chief of both the Division of Sports Medicine and Department of Emergency Medicine at WVU
Medicine J. W. Ruby Memorial Hospital. He is also the head team physician and medical director for the WVU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. In these roles, Monseau guides patients through every step of the recovery process.
Monseau says prevention is the foundation of his practice, and a large part of his work involves instructing patients on how to avoid repeat injuries. This involves staggering athletic training to allow certain muscles to rest at different times and, for younger patients, encouraging periods of rest and recovery to ensure healthy development. He emphasizes that within WVU Athletics, strength and conditioning coaches, athletic trainers and dietitians work together to promote injury prevention.
“ Ultimately, many injuries result from pushing too hard without adequate rest,” Monseau says.“ Taking a progressive, deliberate approach to training helps minimize these risks and supports sustained performance.”
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE