Sports Science Career Advice
If you are wondering how to become a sport scientist, below are tips and advice on training for and beginning careers in this field, as well as science, sports and leisure job prospects in the UK.
The Job Description
Sport and exercise scientists help clients to improve their sporting performance
and general health by applying knowledge from scientific areas such as physiology,
biomechanics and psychology.
Sports science is concerned with supporting athletes and sports clubs. Exercise science involves improving health, preventing illness and helping recovery from illness through programmes of physical activity.
As a sport and exercise scientist your work could include:
working alongside other staff such as sports coaches and sports therapists
to assess individuals and teams and help to improve their performance
working with doctors to help people improve their health through physical
activity
working with hospitals and Primary Care Trusts in areas such as cardiac
rehabilitation and health promotion
taking part in research projects
contributing to the design and production of sports equipment.
Person Specification
The key personal attributes of good sports scientists include:
a general interest in sports
excellent analytical and organisational skills
an interest in the practical application of scientific ideas and principles
good communication skills
the ability to work as part of a team.
How to become a sport scientist
You would need a degree, usually in sports science. Alternatively, you could
do a degree in a related subject, such as physical education, physiology
or psychology, followed by a postgraduate course.
Visit the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) website for a list of courses and advice on choosing the right one.
When you have completed your degree it may improve your career prospects if you get some practical experience by taking a job at a fairly basic level, for example as a fitness instructor, leisure assistant, lifeguard or coach.
Training and Development
When you are qualified as a sports scientist you can join the British Association
of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), and present evidence of your work
to gain nationally-recognised accreditation. This could improve your job
prospects.
As a BASES member, you can take part in a structured workshop and conference programme to help you to stay up to date with new developments. Visit the BASES website for details.
You could do further study to develop specialist knowledge, for example in health promotion or cardiology.
The Pay (a rough guide)
Qualified sports scientists can earn between £20,000 and £40,000
a year.
Experienced sports scientists working in high levels of competitive sport
can earn up to £60,000 a year or more.
Job Prospects
Sports science has become more important as the link between physical activity
and health is increasingly recognised. Athletes in most sports also see
the application of sports science as an important part of their training.
However, there are still relatively few jobs and there can be a lot of competition.
You could find opportunities with universities, large sporting organisations and public and private enterprises. You may be able to become self-employed, perhaps on a consultancy basis.
You could move into a number of fields such as sports development or performance testing.
Useful leisure or sport resources:
British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES)
Leeds Metropolitan University
Carnegie Faculty of Sport and Education
Fairfax Hall
Headingley Campus
Beckett Park
Leeds
LS6 3QS
Tel: 0113 283 6162
http://www.bases.org.uk
This page is for sport scientist careers advice and training opportunities.
