Sport and exercise scientist
Use your scientific knowledge of the human body to help people improve their sporting performance and health.
Also known as: sports scientist
About the job
What it's like
Do you have a talent for science and a passion for sports? As a sport and exercise scientist, you'll use your scientific knowledge to help people achieve their full sporting potential.
Sport and exercise scientists look at the human body. You'll assess its shape, the ways it moves and how people think about physical activity. You'll team up with athletes and sports people to help them perform at their peak.
In this role, you may also work with members of the public. You'll help people improve their health through exercise, or use physical activity to recover from injury and illness.
Your tasks might include:
working with staff such as sports coaches or sports therapists to assess athletes and help improve their performance
liaising with doctors to help people improve their health through physical activity
taking part in research projects – you may conduct studies on training methods, injury prevention or equipment
designing evidence-based training sessions and monitoring how people react to their programmes
using GPS trackers, heart-rate monitors and motion analysis systems as you run fitness assessments
giving advice on the design of sports equipment
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) – find more information about careers in sports science
Like the sound of this career?
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Sport and exercise scientist'
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- analysing
- developing a plan
- filtering
- researching
- observation
- problem solving
- written communication
- verbal communication
- cooperating
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Biology
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Chemistry
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Human Biology
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PE (Physical education)
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Physics
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Skills for Work: Sport and Recreation
Entry into this career is very competitive. The vast majority of sport and exercise scientists in Scotland have a degree.
University
You’ll need a degree or postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject, such as:
Sport and Exercise Scientist
Sports Science
Exercise Physiology
Applied Sports Science
Human Biology or Physiology
Biomechanics
Sports Coaching (with science modules)
Anatomy and Physiology
Look for courses that include work placements or internship opportunities. This experience can give you an advantage when job-hunting after you're qualified!
Some people study a degree in a science-based subject then do a postgraduate qualification in Sports Science.
Use the My World of Work course search to find the degree that's right for you.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could help you find a job or progress to more advanced study. Useful subjects include:
Applied Sports Science
Sports Coaching with Development of Sport
Fitness, Health and Exercise
Applied Biological Sciences or Health Sciences
Coaching and Developing Sport (with science modules)
You could join The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) for professional development opportunities.
Experience working as a fitness instructor, lifeguard or sports coach will look amazing on your CV.
Extra qualifications like First Aid, gym instructing or safeguarding will help your job application stand out.
Many sport and exercise scientists are members of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme, run by Disclosure Scotland.
Volunteering in a relevant role can help you build the skills and experience you’ll need to become a sport and exercise scientist. Having relevant work experience is often a key requirement for many employers. Search for opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
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