I am applying to physical therapy graduate school we were asked to answer the in essay form the following question...
APTA's vision for physical therapy is "transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience". How will you embody this vision as a future physical therapist?
This is my first draft so it is very rough! any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!
As a former NCAA Division I athlete I am captivated by the concept of being able to make the human body move with the most precision possible. As a sports orthopedic physical therapist I plan on focusing my work towards the prevention and rehabilitation of acute and chronic injuries, enhancing athlete's performance, all in attempts to extend athletes' careers as long as possible.
Fascinated by the wide range of new technology in sports medical field, I want to work in a sports performance laboratory. Being able to investigate musculoskeletal movements, kinematics, kinetics and motor control strategies associated with both normal and pathological human movement will allow me to help athletes achieve their highest goals. By utilizing the advances in technology, such as gait analysis software, motion sensor analysis cameras combined with force sensor platforms, I will be able to make improvements to the effectiveness of injury prevention training, post-surgical rehabilitation, and ultimately enhance an individuals sports performance.
In order to make use of the sports performance laboratory in such a way, I will use it to thoroughly investigate high performance athletes performing sharp cuts and rapid changes in direction. All of which will allow me to analyze the effects of these strenuous high impact movements are inflicting on the human body. As a result of conducting these types of research studies, I will be able to use the results to help provide the most optimal injury prevention and rehabilitation training regime possible towards my patients.
While using the software for the previous reasons will be extremely crucial in aiding to limiting the risk of injury or return to play from an injury for an athlete, I will also be able to use it to optimize the athlete's performance. Through the use of technology I will analyze specific areas of an athlete's game. Training athletes to be quicker, faster, throw a pitcher harder by adjusting and training the mechanics of their body to work in the most ideal way possible. Working towards training a pitcher's body to increase pitching speed, basketball player change direct and explode with the greatest magnitude of force possible, through the help motion analysis I can push them to be at the top of their game.
In aiding to my career as a sports orthopedic physical therapist I will be obtaining my certification to become a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. It will provide vast cohesion with my knowledge of gait training and the ability to strength train athletes with customized sports specific workouts. I will be able to provide them with the top of the line sports orthopedic physical therapy possible.
- This is a strong introduction. It fully explains your familiarity with the science of human movement and is a logical career step for an athlete.Fascinated by the wide range of new technology in sports medical field...
- Mention some injuries that you personally sustained during training or competitions that helped you become familiar and fascinated with the sports performance laboratories. Relate your injuries and the rehabilitation you received towards your enlightenment that this career is for you. Explain some of the plans that you developed while being rehabilitated yourself.In order to make use of the sports performance laboratory in such a way..
- I believe that your essay would better benefit from a discussion of how you plan to further advance sports medicine in the future in your capacity as a physical therapist. This will show your lofty goals and ambitions that will be the driving force behind your academic accomplishments and achievements as a physical therapy student.In aiding to my career as a sports orthopedic physical therapist I will be obtaining my certification to become a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. It will provide vast cohesion with my knowledge of gait training and the ability to strength train athletes with customized sports specific workouts. I will be able to provide them with the top of the line sports orthopedic physical therapy possible.
- This is good plan for your future that will be noted by the admission officer for sure. However, you need to relate that future plan with your current goal. Explain how this step will be essential in helping you achieve your higher goal of becoming a specialist. That will make for a solid conclusion to your personal statement and bring your plans for your future and embodiment of the school vision full circle. 