Performance sports scientist
Sports scientists use knowledge of how the body works to help people improve their health or sporting ability.
Also known as: Sports and exercise scientist, Sports performance analyst, Sports physiologist
- Starter salary£25,000 a year
- Experienced£50,000 a year
- Typical hours37 to 39 a week
What you'll do
As a performance sports scientist, your duties will depend on the type of organisation you work for. You could:
- analyse training and competition data to identify areas for improvement
- design development plans to improve individual and team performance
- help people improve their health through exercise and fitness
- investigate how health and fitness can be used to prevent or treat medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease or cancer
- take part in research projects
- advise on the design and manufacture of sports equipment
Working environment
You could work in an NHS or private hospital, on a sports field, at a research facility, at a client's business or at a fitness centre.
Your working environment may be outdoors some of the time.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of biology
- knowledge of psychology
- the ability to work well with others
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- maths skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- excellent written communication skills
- the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a performance sports scientist
You can get into this job through a university course.
University
You could take a degree course in sport and exercise science . Courses that include the 3 main subjects of biomechanics, physiology and psychology, will help to keep your job and study options open later on.
Alternatively, you could study for a degree in a science related subject followed by a postgraduate qualification in sports science.
Related subjects include:
- physical education
- natural sciences
- physiology
- psychology
It's quite common for sports scientists to have or be working towards a postgraduate qualification.
Courses that include work placements or internship opportunities could give you an advantage when job hunting after completing your studies. This is something to ask universities about when you're looking at their courses.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
- a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
Career path and progression
You could work with universities, schools and colleges, large sporting organisations, local authorities and the NHS. It's also possible to become self-employed or work in a related career area, like sports development or performance testing and research.
You could also apply for accreditation through The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences in a number of areas, including:
- sports psychology
- clinical physiology
- exercise and rehabilitation
- high performance sport
This offers professional recognition of your experience and expertise. A further option is to seek Chartered Scientist status.
Career tips
Experience as fitness instructor, lifeguard, coach or volunteering , for example with a sports club, may improve your career prospects.
It will help you stand out in a competitive jobs market if you have extra qualifications like:
- first aid
- gym instructing
- safeguarding
Professional and industry bodies
You could join The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) for professional development opportunities.
Guides for this industry
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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0