ABEM Sports Medicine study guide
ABEM Sports Medicine · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The ABEM Sports Medicine Subspecialty Certification Exam is a subspecialty examination offered by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM), the board that certifies emergency physicians in the United States. ABEM describes its certifications as assuring "that emergency physicians have the knowledge and skills to deliver the highest quality care," and frames board certification as "the gold standard for emergency physicians." The sports medicine subspecialty credential is intended for emergency medicine physicians who want to demonstrate added expertise in the evaluation and management of musculoskeletal injury, medical conditions affecting athletes, exercise physiology and performance, and preparticipation assessment, rehabilitation, and return to play. The ABEM Sports Medicine study guide has 5 sections and about 1,269 words.
01Emergency Medicine and Sports Medicine Clinical Practice
Sports emergencies reward a systematic primary survey over pattern recognition. The candidate must know the field management of sudden cardiac arrest (immediate CPR, early AED, removing pads/gear that impede defibrillation), exertional heat stroke (core temp often 40°C with CNS dysfunction - cool first, transport second), and catastrophic cervical spine injury (in-line stabilization, no routine collar traction).
277 words, about 1 min02Musculoskeletal Injury Evaluation and Management
A structured exam drives musculoskeletal questions: inspection, palpation, range of motion, strength, neurovascular status, and special tests interpreted in context rather than in isolation. Know the Ottawa Ankle and Knee Rules as validated decision tools to avoid unnecessary imaging - ankle rules require pain in the malleolar zone plus bone tenderness at the posterior edge of either malleolus or inability to bear weight four steps.
276 words, about 1 min03Medical Conditions in the Athlete
This domain tests whether you can distinguish benign from dangerous presentations and know activity restrictions. Key concepts: exertional asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (warm-up and pre-exercise short-acting beta-agonist), anaphylaxis, diabetes management during exercise (glucose monitoring, carbohydrate availability, recognizing hypoglycemia), sickle cell trait precautions, and cardiac screening for sudden cardiac death risk (syncope during exertion, family history of premature sudden death, Marfanoid features).
238 words, about 1 min04Exercise Physiology and Performance
Performance questions test energy systems and their limiting factors. The phosphagen (ATP-CP) system fuels seconds-long bursts; glycolysis dominates short high-intensity efforts and produces lactate; oxidative phosphorylation supports sustained work.
242 words, about 1 min05Preparticipation Evaluation, Rehabilitation, and Return to Play
The PPE is a screening tool, not a clearance exam in isolation: history (personal and family cardiac history, prior injury, medications, allergies, menstrual history) outweighs the physical exam in yield. Know the AHA 14-point elements conceptually and the red flags prompting cardiology referral: exertional syncope, chest pain with exercise, unexplained dyspnea, family history of premature sudden death, and a heart murmur.
236 words, about 1 min