Making waves

Olympic water polo team physician shares insights on taking care of elite athletes

Team USA physician Naresh Rao, DO, discusses many fascinating aspects of caring for world-class athletes, including mental health considerations, spirituality and the motivating power of music.

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Naresh Rao, DO, is a game-changer in the world of sports medicine. With a career spanning multiple Olympic Games, including the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Dr. Rao brings a wealth of experience and passion to his role as a team physician for Team USA athletes.

Since joining Team USA, Dr. Rao has worked with both the men’s and women’s water polo teams. His work has taken him all over the world, including to countries like Brazil and Japan for previous games.

At OMED 2024, Dr. Rao shared an in-depth presentation on his experience working with Olympic athletes and offered pearls of wisdom on osteopathic care that can be applied to treatment plans for any patient looking to lead a happier, healthier life.

The power of teamwork, role models

During his presentation, Dr. Rao emphasized the collaborative nature of Olympic success, both in and out of the pool. As a team physician, Dr. Rao frequently worked with a variety of professionals, from coaches to nutritionists, all with the goal of ensuring that athletes can perform at their best. He highlighted how optimal performance requires not only addressing the physical health of athletes, but also their mental health, reflecting osteopathic medicine’s core belief of body, mind and spirit connectedness.

Dr. Rao acknowledged several individuals who have helped him throughout his professional journey, in particular his mentor Martha Lansing, MD, whom he credits with teaching him “how to love primary care” and that “being a true team physician starts with being a family physician.”

Drawing on his personal experiences, Dr. Rao emphasized the significance that role models can play in motivating athletes. He highlighted Team USA water polo player Tony Azevedo, a five-time Olympian, who finds support and encouragement from his father while also inspiring others. At OMED 2020, Azevedo spoke about achieving success against stacked odds.

Dr. Rao encouraged physicians to strive to be role models for their patients: “We can be role models if we set the example [by leading a healthy lifestyle],” he said.

Dr. Rao (left) poses with fellow medical team members Chris Bates and Balsa Nikolic while showing off some Olympic medals won by Team USA in Paris.

Music, spirituality and mental resilience

In addition to these traditional avenues of athletic success, Dr. Rao also explored the importance of nonphysical factors. He noted that music with a tempo between 120 and 140 beats per minute can naturally enhance athletic performance by aligning with the heart rate during exercise. Dr. Rao cited the most decorated Olympian of all time, former swimmer Michael Phelps, as an example of an athlete who has employed this powerful motivational method.

Spirituality, too, plays a significant role for some athletes, including gymnast Gabby Douglas, who draws strength from her faith. Dr. Rao described how spiritually focused athletes often use their personal belief system as a source of strength, and these beliefs are not always necessarily religious.

The joy of osteopathic sports medicine

Throughout his presentation, Dr. Rao’s passion and pride in his work were evident.

“I love being a primary care osteopathic sports medicine physician,” he shared, as he recounted the joy he has experienced while caring for athletes at the highest levels. Through stories, photos and videos from his time at the Olympic Games, Dr. Rao inspired attendees with his commitment to helping all of his patients live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Dr. Rao’s full presentation is available on the OMED24 On-Demand platform. Registrants can also access additional virtual educational content from 20 medical specialties through Dec. 31, 2024, and obtain up to 50 hours of CME credit.

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