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Sport and Exercise Scientist

Do you want to become a Sport and Exercise Scientist? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

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Sport and exercise scientists help people to improve their sporting performance or their general health. They apply expert knowledge gained in scientific fields such as physiology, biomechanics, psychology and performance analysis.

• A sport scientist may work alongside coaches to help athletes or sports clubs.
• An exercise scientist works closely with doctors to help clients improve their health through physical activity.
• They may also work in research or manufacturing roles.

Depending on the role, some irregular hours are likely. Sport and exercise scientists do some of their work in a laboratory; they may also work at health clubs, sports venues or training grounds.

Salaries for qualified sport and exercise scientists start at around £18,000, and can rise to as high as £60,000 a year for those at the top of the field.

The role requires:

• thorough scientific knowledge
• research and analytical skills
• good communication and teamwork
• confidence with numbers and computer work
• a strong interest in both the scientific and sporting aspects of the work.

Employers include university departments, sports clubs and, at a higher level, the sport governing bodies. Some scientists are self-employed. You will need a degree in sport science, perhaps supported by further specialised study.

Sport and exercise scientists can work for accreditation by a national body, the British Association of Sport and Exercise Scientists (BASES).

Experience, contacts and an established reputation are important for career development.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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