Fitness Friday: Olympics and Injury Prevention Chat with Dr. Jason Zaremski, MD

Dr. Jason Zaremski, or “Dr. Z” as many athletes call him, isn’t your average sports physician. As a nonoperative musculoskeletal and sports medicine physician and the Chief of Sports Medicine in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Florida College of Medicine, he has spent his career helping athletes of all levels—from high school to Olympic champions. Whether he’s in the clinic, conducting research, or volunteering his time for Team USA, Dr. Z’s passion for injury prevention and performance shines through in everything he does. I’ve known him for decades, and I’m excited to kick off this series with a conversation that digs into his Olympic experiences and lessons athletes of all levels can learn from.

As a physician who works with some of the world’s top athletes, Dr. Z’s expertise is especially important for young athletes and those looking to push their limits safely.

Olympic Journey

Dr. Z’s Olympic career kicked off in Colorado Springs as a volunteer physician in 2016. Then he was selected to be one of the volunteer team physicians for the U.S. Women’s U17 soccer team in 2021. From there, his sports medicine expertise took him to the 2022 U-18 Baseball World Cup as chief medical officer. In 2024, he was named one of the Team USA Physicians for the Paris Olympics—a career-defining moment.

“I was listed as an alternate for the Paris Games, and when they called me, I was thrilled,” Dr. Z recalls. However, his journey wasn’t without its bumps—his flight was delayed 24 hours due to the global power outage. But once he arrived, the energy of the Olympics swept him away. “The athlete’s village was like nothing I’ve ever seen. It was buzzing with excitement and full of collaboration. There were no hierarchies in our medical team—whether you were administering flu tests or grabbing ice packs, everyone worked together to support the athletes.”

Dr. Z continued, “My kids wanted to know who I was treating but of course I can’t discuss that. However, I got to see a lot of sports action, and it was incredible.”  

Despite working non-stop for 20 days straight, Dr. Z fondly remembers the experience. “Seeing the world's best athletes up close and knowing I played a small part in keeping them healthy was remarkable. No complaints on my end!”

Injury Prevention: Lessons from the Field

Dr. Z’s expertise is especially important in today’s era of sports specialization. “One of the biggest problems I see is kids focusing on one sport at a young age,” he explains. “We grew up playing multiple sports, which allowed different muscle groups to develop. Now, for example, kids are throwing baseballs year-round, and that’s leading to overuse and preventable injuries.”

Dr. Z emphasizes the importance of building well-rounded training programs and having a strategy. “Workouts should start with an active warm-up, get the body ready for work, and save the static stretching for after your session. Cross-training and rest are crucial to keeping athletes healthy over the long haul.” He continued, “I always want to know what’s the strategy and what does the plan look like. How many days are you throwing, running, etc.”

The Science of Recovery

With the explosion of recovery tools on the market, athletes are often unsure of what works and what doesn’t. Dr. Z always looks to the data. “If the science doesn’t support it, I’m hesitant to recommend it,” he says. “That being said, there’s definitely value in the placebo effect. If someone believes a recovery tool like boots or massage guns work, there’s a psychological benefit.”

When asked about popular recovery trends like cupping, Dr. Z takes a measured approach. “Cupping became popular after people saw Michael Phelps covered with cup marks. This might help some athletes, but I stick with what the evidence-based research shows works.”

Advice for Athletes and Trainers

Dr. Z’s number one piece of advice for athletes is to listen to your body. “Whether you’re training for a marathon or picking up a new sport, give yourself time to build a foundation before diving into intense workouts. Many of the injuries I see are from people who overdo it without building up to the intensity gradually. Before starting a program like couch to 5K, start with walking, and build up to running.”

In addition to his impressive medical career, Dr. Z is an athlete himself—he was a collegiate baseball player, and though he didn’t make it to the pros, his passion for sports led him to a career where he can help others stay healthy and active.

When he’s not working with patients or traveling the world with Team USA or the U17 Women’s Soccer team, Dr. Z spends time with his wife and two daughters. Whether he’s watching their activities, or experimenting in the kitchen (he has a bit of a sweet tooth), nothing beats family time.