Sport is murder? On the contrary – soccer, jogging or swimming keep you fit, burn fat, prevent heart attacks or high blood pressure and also keep your psyche healthy. We owe this knowledge primarily to sports scientists. You deal with the topic of sport in all its facets . Sports scientists, for example, develop certain training methods for competitive athletes and come up with strategies to get children and young people enthusiastic about sports. They also deal with the historical origins of various sports.
The study of sports science
In Germany you can study sports science at more than sixty universities. The German University for Sport in Cologne offers a particularly wide range . Most courses are very broad in terms of content. The students practice different types of sport and deal with medical , economic , psychological and sociological aspects of sport. In the teaching courses, students also attend lectures and courses on sports pedagogy. In addition, specialized courses have emerged in recent years. They focus on specific facets of the extensive topic of sport, for example on sport therapy or competitive sport .
Bachelor Sports Science
According to Existingcountries, the classic subject of sports science is divided into the two areas of sports practice and sports science . The students spend a lot of time on the training ground or in the swimming pool. They practice a wide variety of sports, from aerobics to athletics and butterfly swimming to Zumba. In theory , they then learn how the various sports came about. You will learn which movement sequences are most effective and how best to teach the various athletic techniques. At most universities, students can set their own specializations in the higher semesters .
Master’s (of Education) and Sports Science Teacher Training
Many sports students complete their studies with a master’s degree. This qualifies for better-paid management positions and is also a prerequisite for a career in research. The differentiated master’s programs offer students the opportunity to specialize in certain areas of sports science. The universities and technical colleges offer different focuses, for example international sport studies or competitive sport. As a rule, these courses are very research- oriented and hardly contain any practical sports exercises.
Those who plan to work as a sports teacher later either study for a teaching post or follow up with the Bachelor’s degree with a Master of Education .
Personal requirements
Anyone interested in studying sports science should first and foremost be physically fit . In order to get a place at the university , it is usually necessary to pass the sport aptitude test . The content of the aptitude test differs depending on the federal state and university. Usually, applicants have to prove their suitability for the course in around twenty different sporting disciplines within one day. For example, you need to sprint 100 meters in a certain amount of time or reach a certain distance while throwing a javelin. As a rule, only around half of the applicants pass the demanding test.
However, at some universities it is possible to study sports science without a prior aptitude test . Here, very good to good grades in the sports courses on the Abitur certificate and a so-called sports fitness certificate are sufficient.
With all their love of practice, prospective sports students should not underestimate the theory. For subjects such as sports medicine or anatomy , basic knowledge from the fields of biology and chemistry is useful, maths and English skills are also helpful for the course.
Professional fields for sports scientists
The majority of all sports students aim to work as a sports teacher. But there are many interesting professional fields that are open to graduates. Sports scientists work, for example, as sports therapists in rehab centers or hospitals. There they create training plans for the sick, carry out training measures or advise patients. Fitness studios and sports clubs also employ sports scientists as personal or team coaches . Graduates also have the opportunity to work in professional sport . Here they train competitive athletes and advise them on nutritional issues.
In addition, tasks in sports management are possible. Sports scientists manage sports clubs and associations, work in the marketing departments of fitness studios or plan sports events . Many graduates become self-employed in this field after a few years , for example with an agency for sports marketing. Master’s graduates are also free to do a doctorate and then go into research.
Advantages of a semester abroad for sports scientists
Many foreign sports such as American football or rugby are increasing in popularity in Germany. A study visit abroad offers students the opportunity to expand their practical knowledge of sports and to learn local sports . One or more semesters abroad also represent a unique opportunity to perfect your foreign language skills and to get to know people from all over the world. A stay abroad also signals intercultural skills as well as commitment and independence to later employers .
