Sports Physical Therapy Section, APTA History
The Sports Physical Therapy Section (SPTS) is a component member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), which provides a common forum for members of the Association with an interest in sports physical therapy. The Section was founded in 1973. At the time of application for section status, this group was composed of seventy-five individuals who shared a common interest in sports. The SPTS has grown tremendously in the past three decades to over 6000 members, and is one of the largest sections among the parent organization's nineteen specialty sections. By providing a common forum for physical therapists with an interest in sports physical therapy, the SPTS serves to broaden the field of physical therapy and disseminate knowledge related to the practice of sports physical therapy. Emphasis in this specialty area of physical therapy includes, but is not limited to: prevention and wellness in the realm of athletics; performance enhancement; recognition, assessment, and management of sports related injuries and conditions; treatment and rehabilitation of sports related injuries and conditions; consultation with and referral to members of the sports medicine treatment team; education of patients, clients, athletes, parents, coaches, other health professionals and the public; and contribution to the current evidence in the field of sports physical therapy by performing scientific research.
The SPTS disseminates information to its members on current physical therapy research, trends, and practices to improve the care given to patients and clients. The Section provides several outlets for such educational and research information dissemination including its website, The Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy (in conjunction with the Orthopedic Section), and The North American Journal of Sports Physical Therapy.
The SPTS offers quality educational programming at The Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Section and The SPTS Team Concept Conference, annually. Home study courses (new topics annually) and publications on varied relevant topics are available to serve the educational needs of the members. The SPTS contributes to the APTA Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, as well as its' own research and mentorship fund, The Legacy Fund.
The SPTS has a strong working relationship with the APTA and has established relationships with many regional, national, and international organizations associated with providing treatment for the athletes.
The Sports Physical Therapy Section provides a mechanism for the physical therapist to become involved in practice, education, mentoring, collaboration, service, and research related to the specialty of sports physical therapy.