Last week it was announced that the Australian Medical Council (AMC) listed Sport and Exercise Medicine as a new medical specialty.

Dr Andrew Garnham, Sport and Exercise Medicine Physician and President of the Australasian College of Sports Physicians (ACSP), is delighted by the announcement.

26 years after its inception, the ACSP now offers medical practitioners a world class training and assessment program that is internationally regarded as the gold standard of practice in this area of medicine.

The benefits of incorporating physical activity as a therapeutic tool in conjunction with more traditional medical approaches are becoming increasingly well known as effective tools for use in the prevention and treatment of common and often serious medical conditions, such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and many cancers. Exercise does not replace traditional measures such as surgery, medication and rest in many of these conditions, but it can improve recovery and greatly improve long term outcomes.

The ongoing research and clinical practice of this relatively small group of highly committed and dedicated practitioners will ensure that developments in Sport and Exercise Medicine continue to advantage all members of the population, not just the sporting elite.

Click here to read the AMC media release.