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Biomechanics
A biomechanist is primarily concerned with the forces
and speeds with which the body moves and interacts with its surroundings. Very
simply, biomechanics is the physics of human movement. Many biomechanists are
involved with designing and testing sports equipment from baseball bats to
running shoes. Others analyze athletic movements with high-speed video
and powerful computers to describe it and detect how it might be improved.
A master's degree is typically required. For more information, visit
the
American Society of Biomechanics,
or the International Society of
Biomechanics on the web.
Cardiac
Rehabilitation
An individual choosing to pursue Cardiac
Rehabilitation usually possesses a strong background and interest in
Exercise Physiology. Cardiac Rehabilitation involves the assessment and evaluation
of cardiovascular functioning and the necessary prescriptive work to prevent traumatic events
(heart attacks, etc.) associated with
the cardiovascular system. Additionally, this career choice involves
exercise programming which enhances the rehabilitation
of people who have experienced cardiovascular problems. For more information, visit the
CACR or the AACVPR
on the web.
Coaching
The field of coaching is one of the more popular career choices for
Exercise Science majors. Coaching an individual
or team sport at the junior high school, high school or collegiate level
can be very rewarding. Students interested in
coaching should possess a working knowledge of biomechanics, sports
psychology and exercise physiology -- in
addition to an expertise in one or more sports. In the public schools in
the state of Texas, coaches must be full time
employees of the district in which they are employed -- as a result most
coaches in the public schools also teach.
Websites for professional coaching associations for various sports and groups are
abundant on the web. The major coaching association for the state of Texas is the
Texas High School Coaches
Association. Nationally, the
National High School Athletic Coaches' Association is a good
source of information.
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Corporate
Wellness
Because a company's profit margin is so central,
any way that a company can save money can be important. One way involves
encouraging employees to start an exercise program, the result of which will
hopefully be improved employee health and decreased overall health insurance
costs in the long run. Experts in corporate wellness work directly with
the employees and supervise the wellness program, which may also
include stress management, health promotion, and nutrition guidance. A
bachelor's degree will suffice, although a professional certification in the
field is recommended.
Exercise Physiology
Exercise Physiologist is a broad
designation describing anyone with an interest in the responses of the human
body to exercise. As such, an EP's expertise can be applied to an
equally broad number of career fields involving exercise, most typically
fitness, cardiac rehabilitation (see above), and research. Fitness
positions require at least a bachelor's degree and usually an
established professional certification, such as one from the
American College of Sports Medicine or the
National Strength and Conditioning Association. Established
researchers have typically earned a Ph.D.
Health
Related Professions
This is a general term for
careers in a broad range of fields including medicine, dentistry, podiatry,
optometry, nursing, and others. Because of the strong scientific
emphasis of the coursework in the Bachelor of Science degree at
Schreiner University, it is ideal for
preparation for graduate or professional study in a number of health or
science based fields. Students wishing to enter medicine, for example,
need only take a few elective courses to be considered for admittance into
medical school.
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Occupational Health
An occupational health expert
tries to improve the safety and efficiency of the workplace environment by
screening applicants' physical fitness, analyzing the biomechanical demands
of physical jobs, and supervising the rehabilitation of injured workers.
Education beyond the bachelor's degree is usually highly desirable, as is
professional certification. Informative websites include the
Board of Certification in
Professional Ergonomics (BCPE), and the
National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Physical
Therapy
The job of a physical therapist
is to evaluate people with various existing or developed disabilities and to
relieve associated pain and discomfort, restore as much function as possible
and prevent further disability. A successful physical therapist must
have a mastery of the fields of motor control and motor learning as well as a
strong knowledge of flexibility and strength training. Physical
therapists are employed in a wide range of venues, including sports medicine
clinics, rehabilitation hospitals, independent clinics, and even in patients'
homes. A graduate degree from an accredited PT school as well as state
licensure is required to practice in all states. Many schools are now
in transition from offering master's degrees to awarding a Doctor of Physical
Therapy degree, which can be completed within three years after college.
For more information, peruse the web pages of the
American Physical Therapy Association (which also contains
PT school listings),
or the Texas Physical Therapy Association.
Public
Health
Since a very active branch of
exercise science is the study and pursuit of fitness, many exercise
scientists develop an abiding interest in public health. A recent
report from the Institutes on Medicine defined the field of public health as
"the fulfillments of society's interest in assuring conditions in which
people can be healthy". A public health specialist has a primary
interest in epidemiology (study of diseases), but their interests might also
include social, statistical, environmental or nutritional aspects of health.
The Centers for Disease Control might be
considered the foremost public organization in the field of public health,
and the American Public Health Association
is another important outlet for information.
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Campus
Recreation
The field of Campus
Recreation is increasing in its
importance on college campuses. Just as campuses are different, so
are the recreation programs that provide the students with various
activities. Campus Recreation programs often include many aspects of the
exercise science field such as group fitness classes, fitness center planning and supervision, personal training, as well
as the traditional intramural and outdoor adventure programs. For more information, see the
NIRSA website.
Recreation/Leisure
Community recreation programs are becoming more common in
larger cities as well as smaller towns. Facilities providing recreational
space, meeting areas, and fitness programs are being incorporated into
many communities, encouraging residents to include recreation in their
lifestyles. Though management skills often are important in the
Recreation/Leisure field, having a solid background in exercise science
assists professionals in providing solid programs for a participant base that
ranges in age from children to mature aged individuals.
Sports Administration and Management
A graduate degree
in sports administration could land you a job with anyone from NASCAR to the
NCAA. This profession includes such disciplines as intercollegiate or
high school athletics administration, sports marketing, risk management in
sports and facility management, among others. Schreiner now offers a
course in sports management with a possible degree plan in the works. Graduate study is usually
required and may lead to an M.B.A or other specialized degree, depending on
the field of study. The NASSM
and the NCAA websites are a good starting
point for more information, and the Sports Administration website for
Louisville University has a nice
description
of job opportunities.
Sports Medicine
Athletic trainers are in high
demand to diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate sports-related injuries.
Trainers are the first to respond to on-field injuries, but must work with
coaches, physical therapists and team doctors in order to safely return
injured athletes to action as quickly as possible. Specific education
begins early: a bachelor's degree from an accredited program must be
completed, and National Athletic Trainers'
Association (NATA) certification must be obtained. Athletic
trainers will spend numerous hours on the field and in the training room with
high school, collegiate, and even professional athletes and are counted on to
provide coaches with the best possible options in competition.
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Sports Nutrition
The field of
sports nutrition has evolved from rudimentary understanding of the effects of
food consumption on human performance (early Greek athletes ate large
quantities of red meat and little else) to a highly rigorous application of
the scientific method to the exploration of optimal nutrition in almost every
athletic endeavor. A sports nutritionist must have a thorough
understanding of physiology, biochemistry, and metabolism, and for this
reason, sports nutrition is often considered a cross-disciplinary
field. As more attention is paid to 'sports supplements' as a method to
optimize athletic performance, the job of the sports nutritionist to
distinguish fact from fiction and interpret such information to the public is
ever more crucial. A master's degree is typically required for
employment. Sports nutritionists often begin as dietitians, and the
largest organization in this field is the American
Dietetic Association. Also check out the website of the Gatorade
Sports Science Institute which produces solid research in the field.
Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Because of the established
connection between off season conditioning and in season performance,
strength and conditioning coaches are employed to oversee the training of
athletes in all sports. A well-educated specialist will devise and
implement exercises specific to the sport in question in order to best
increase the required skills. The coach will also be required to
oversee scheduling and facility management. The best job candidates
will be certified by the
National Strength and Conditioning
Association and will usually have a master's degree in Exercise
Physiology, Kinesiology or a related field.
Teaching
Many students choose to obtain a degree in Exercise
Science so that they can teach Physical Education in public or
private schools. Considering the recent increases in obesity levels in
this country, individuals committed to teaching the benefits of regular
exercise and proper nutrition will be appreciated. Additionally, the
teacher of Physical Education can offer instruction in developing sports
skills which can be used across one's life span. The best teaching candidates
will have a degree in Exercise Science, complemented by summer work or
part-time work in camps, fitness centers and youth sports leagues. The NASPE
website has good information about this profession.
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