The worst case that could happen to an athlete is to suffer from an injury that could end their athletic career. No matter what team you belong to, once you see a player, an opponent or a teammate down on the field, squirming due to excruciating injury pain, you would instantly feel deep concern and care for them. It is why a medical check up in Singapore is crucial for athletes.

But unfortunately, you can’t guarantee injury-free sports. Even athletes who play sports you think are safe and contactless can still have injuries. For example, Canadian figure skater Jessica Dube slashed her face with her partner’s skating blade while performing a horizontal spin at the 2007 Four Continents skating event. She suffered from facial lacerations and needed surgery.

But when you get injured, where do you go? To a hospital or sports injury clinic in Singapore?

This article will discuss what you need to know about a Singapore sports medicine centre.

All You Need To Know About Sports Medicine In Singapore

Sports and health are joined at the hips. But it is not only due to sports-related injuries you need a Singapore sports medicine centre. Sometimes, the sports governing bodies require the athlete to undergo a medical check up in a sports centre in Singapore before joining the league.

It is to ensure the athletes are well, healthy and clean. Clean means the athlete has not used nor taken any banned athletic performance-enhancing drug.

What is sports medicine?

Sports medicine is a branch of medicine that focuses on the improvement of athletes’ physical health and enhancement of athletic performance. It also deals with the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of sports-related injuries.

What are the specialities in sports medicine?

Sports medicine has vast medicine specialities and disciplines, which you can also find in your hospitals or clinics.

Here are the most common specialities in sports medicine:

●    Orthopaedic

Orthopaedics is a medical speciality that deals with the musculoskeletal system. Orthopaedic doctors treat issues and injuries affecting the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and nerves.

An orthopaedist treats sports-related injuries, such as bone fracture and dislocation, sprains and strains, sports ligament injuries, overuse injuries, and tendonitis.

●    Podiatry

Podiatry is a branch of medicine that specifically deals with issues in the lower extremities, including knees, legs, ankles, and feet. Podiatrists use surgical and conservative methods to treat these issues.

Podiatrists treat sports-related podiatric injuries, such as runner’s knee, ankle sprains, shin splints, Achilles’ tendonitis, foot fractures, forefoot injuries, and skin injuries, like callus corns, blisters, and sores.

Many athletes get a health screening package for a podiatric check-up.

●    Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy deals with the physical human function and movement. Usually, a sports physiotherapist comes into the picture after injury treatment.

Physiotherapists help athletes bring back their old physical capabilities after treating severe injuries during rehabilitation. Using physical approaches, such as exercises, stretches, and massages, athletes gradually improve their range of motion, strength, flexibility, and other motor skills after a series of therapies.

Physiotherapy is not for injuries alone. Along with the coaching staff, physiotherapists help create optimised exercise and training programmes to help athletes improve their athletic performance.

You can get physiotherapy sessions from a sports injury clinic in Singapore.

●    Sports Nutrition

Sports nutrition is a discipline that deals with the application of nutrition for the training and preparation of the athlete.

Sports nutritionists design a diet plan and programmes for athletes to enhance their performance and maintain their health.

It is important to note that each athlete has unique needs and nutritionists design diet plans based on these needs. For example, they can create a protein-rich diet for athletes who need to build muscles. They also design diets for athletes playing in weight-classification sports, such as boxing and wrestling.

They can also include nutritional supplements in their diet programmes. However, illegal performance-enhancing drugs are restricted. Look for a sports nutritionist in your Singapore sports medicine centre.

●    Sports Psychology

Sports psychology deals with the psychological factors that affect the athlete’s performance, behaviour, and overall mental wellness.

Sports psychologists teach athletes to set their goals, self pep talk, and other motivational techniques. These things are essential in preparation and training.

Developing mental focus also helps athletes to perform the best during the game despite crowd distraction, opponent’s taunting, and the game’s pressure.

Sports psychologists also impart mental toughness to athletes battling anxiety and depression. It usually occurs during losing streaks or long hiatus after severe injuries.

A Singapore sports medicine centre or hospital?

Hospitals provide medical services, including orthopaedic, podiatry, psychology, and nutrition. Some hospitals even have a speciality in sports medicine. Athletes are free to go to hospitals for sports-related injury treatment and medical check up in Singapore.

However, some hospitals that lack sports medicine specialities may not be as competent as a Singapore sports medicine centreconcerning services and fortes.

Many schools, colleges, and teams prefer a sports injury clinic or centre in Singapore for this reason.

When should you see a sports medicine doctor or specialist?

People visit a Singapore sports medicine centre for several reasons.

●    Physical ability evaluation

Physical assessment is essential for every athlete before the season’s opening. The evaluation helps determine the athlete’s strength, speed, endurance, height, leap height, and arm span, among others. These things are crucial in athletic performance.

●    Clearance from illnesses

Pre-existing diseases, like cardiovascular conditions and respiratory illnesses, can interfere with athletic performance. A health screening package can also determine if the athlete is fit to play.

●    Training optimisation

Certified athletic trainers, physiotherapists, and nutritionists work hand in hand to create an optimised training programme for the athletes that involve diet, physical wellness, and exercise.

●    Injury treatment and rehabilitation

Sports-related injuries can be surgically and conservatively treated in asports injury clinic in Singapore. It also provides rehabilitation and physiotherapy programmes after injury treatment.

Final words

You cannot guarantee not obtaining a single injury while in sports. But they are highly preventable and curable with the help of sports medicine. The key is to find the right Singapore sports medicine centreand sport medicine professionals.

Are you looking for a sports injury clinic in Singapore? Thomson Wellth Clinic has a sports medicine specialisation perfect for athletes. Consult with Thomson Wellth Clinic today.