"Sports do not build character. They reveal it." -John Wooden

For the love of sports. Basketball, volleyball, hockey, football, baseball, athletics, and many more, sports are loved by billions of people around the world. Whether you like to play or watch, sports keep us entertained.

Whether as an athlete, manager, trainer, or teacher, year after year, students in the UK are considering the possibility of working in the department of sports. But, how can a career working in sports begin? As early as the beginning years of primary school. How's that? For instance, great marks in science and physical education will set you apart from the rest and make you qualified to take the Sports Science GCSE in high school.

In today's article, we'll review why Sports Science is a popular topic in the GCSE stages and which careers are available for experts in this sector.

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Let's go

What is Sports Science?

learning science topics
Sports science is an increasingly popular GCSE and degree subject that covers both sports and the sciences. (Source: Unsplash)

You're probably familiar with the definitions of sports and science, but, what about both of them combined? Well, for curious individuals who are looking for the right answer, it's worth stating that in the simplest of terms, sports science can be defined as the discipline that determines how the healthy human body works during exercise.

Through sports science, experts spend time trying to learn how sports and physical activity promote health and performance from cellular to whole body perspectives.

Sports science is a necessary field that has plenty of jobs in both the public and private sectors. But, why is it so popular? Look at the following paragraphs to learn more!

sports and nutrition
Sports scientists work in the public sector to help children in schools make wise choices. (Source: Unsplash)

Based on recent statistics, the percentage of students who have full-time work in the six months after they graduate was 46.1%. While the so-called ‘traditional’ subjects led the way, it's rather impressive for a supplementary topic such as Sports Science to be so popular.

Even though it's not really a possibility to take Sports Science courses at prestigious and more snobby universities such as Oxford or Cambridge, there is a total of 76 institutions across the UK that offer a course related to Sports Science. Some of the most renowned sporting institutions, naturally, sit at the top, including Loughborough University and Bath University. Also, right at the top is the University of Birmingham, producing some of the finest sports science degree graduates with thousands of graduates per year.

But, why is sports science such a popular degree or subject of discipline? Let's consider the following reasons:

  • Sports Science is a Widespread Topic: not just for the meathead athletes, sports science kids are also very clever. While studying Sports Science at a university level, topics such as management, finance and nutrition are learned. Away from the world of more traditional subjects such as science, these sorts of areas are in particular demand at the moment. It seems that every week in the papers you’ll find an article of some damning report on obesity in this country and as a sports science expert, you'll be able to provide invaluable information on the topic. Whether or not you believe everything you ever read in the press, being able to look at important nutritional information and give solid advice to people from different walks of life is going to be appealing to a prospective employer in the right field.
  • Everyone Wants to Be Healthy: the late, great Benjamin Franklin once said, "there are only two certainties in life: death, and paying taxes.”  How does that relate to sports science? Well, death and illness are inevitable parts of life and everyone wants to prevent getting closer to the morbid concept of death. Therefore, many individuals look towards experts in the medical field for advice on how to stay healthy and since sports science is also related to physical wellness, you'll have a continual client base. Individuals respect and greatly rever individuals who have a thorough comprehension of how the body works and after successfully consulting with a few clients, you acquire repeat clientele that is happy to tell others about your expertise in sports science.
  • Sports Science is Needed in the Public Sector: not just increasingly popular in the private sector, sports science jobs are necessary for the public sphere in schools. Education officials are trying their best to push the health of their students to uniformity and this is to create a balance between the athletic and the not-so-athletic kids. Persons working in sports science help lawmakers recognise that nutrition is fundamental. In the public sector, persons with knowledge of sports science will work with nutritionists, establish healthy exercise plans, and encourage everyone to adopt a balanced lifestyle.

Therefore, if you're interested in sports and science, you should consider a career in sports science since they are so many fantastic reasons to do so; as we mentioned above.

What Careers are Available in Sports Science?

teaching jobs in sports science
Teaching or training jobs are increasingly popular for those who've studied sports science. (Source: Unsplash)

Are you excited about your new career in sports science? Well, since we want to see you working as soon as possible, let's consider three professional domains where knowledge of sports science could greatly benefit you.

Therapy or Physiotherapy

Sports therapy is quite the market in the UK. Why's that? Well, there are many athletes participating in various types of sports. Because sports are not always easy and gracious, there will be injuries and a need to get professionals back up to speed. Persons with extensive knowledge in sports science want to prevent athletes from serious injuries that can derail dreams and aspirations.

The Higher Education Career Services Unit (HECSU) looked at some of the most popular destinations for graduates and they found that one route that many Sports Science graduates took was into physiotherapy. Whether it's studied at a BSc or MSc degree level, you’ll find that physiotherapy could well open up a door into sports therapy. Of course, therapy isn’t limited to the pros. There are thousands of individuals who are referred by doctors or hospitals for help and your knowledge of the human body will set you up nicely to take care of them and establish yourself a hefty clientele of return clients.

Teaching

Whichever degree or course you decide to study, it's important to state that there are plenty of employment positions in teaching. Therefore, the same is true for sports science. For instance, simply put, over a third of those who do more study after graduating go off and do a PGCE.  It is the simplest way to get started with your degree and is definitely a very rewarding job. With the emphasis being put on sports and exercise, you’ll find that being a teacher in sports, and a guide in good lifestyles could make you a massive role model to many kids. Certainly from my experience, PE teachers, coaches of sports teams and leaders of the sporting community are some of the highest-regarded individuals.

Athletes and sports experts are consistently viewed as leaders in their domain and things aren't going to change any time soon. 

Tutoring

Last but definitely not least is tutoring. Similar to teaching, tutoring offers students more of an opportunity to make money through private courses with students who wish to know how the body works. You’ll be amazed how much biology and physical science you’ll know about once you've finished your sports science degree and this is greatly sought after by students who are going through their A-Levels and GCSEs.

Tutoring is very rewarding and provides you with the possibility of teaching students of all ages and backgrounds. Who knows? You might find yourself teaching biology to the next sporting legend!

In conclusion, sports science lands you on the right path with so many possibilities and potential employment positions. If you have any more information to add, we highly recommend leaving a comment at the end of this blog!

 

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Brentyn

Avid movie-goer, reader, skier and language learner. Passionate about life, food and travelling.