U.S. swimmers who are competing for gold medals in the London Olympic Games have a key ally on their side as they endure the rigors of training: a person who holds a physical therapy job.
The Star-Telegram reports treating strained shoulders and muscle twinges is part of the job description of Terry Robinson of Grapevine, Texas. He oversees 11 divers, aids in the preservation of their performance levels and helps push them toward returning stateside with gold medals.
"In the sport of diving, you don't see trauma like in football or basketball," Robinson told the news source, noting the biggest danger is for a diver to strike the diving board or the platform. "We see over-use injuries like shoulder injuries, a lot of rotator cuff and spine issues from impact with the water and from twisting and piking."
Working as a physical therapist since 1996, Robinson is set to assist the U.S. effort in the international competition for the second time. He helped the U.S. in 1996, during the Olympic Games in Atlanta.
All U.S. states must license physical therapists, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.