The study of functioning of your body and mind is the basic concept of sports science. After graduating or getting a bachelor’s degree in sports science, application for specialized knowledge for various job applications can be made. This does not mean that you must be a topper in physical education; the concept of science and the keen interest in sports is what is mostly required in this field.
A broad range of fields that include physiology, psychology, and biomechanics, and their relationship to sports performance, health and well being are covered in Sports Science.
Sports Science Courses
There are basically 2 types of sports courses that exist in India
- Undergraduate (UG) courses
- Postgraduate (PG) courses
Bachelor’s degree courses –
- Bachelor of Physical Education (B.P.Ed.)
- BPE
- B.Sc. in Sports Science and Nutrition
- B.Sc. in Physical Education and Sports Science
- B.Sc. in Sports Science
- BBA in Sports Management
- Bachelor of Sports Management
- BA in Sports Management
Master’s degree courses –
- Master of Physical Education (M.P.Ed.)
- M.Sc. in Sports Science
- M.Sc. in Physical Education and Sports Science
- MBA in Sports Management
- Master of Sports Management
- M.Sc. in Sports Science and Nutrition
- MBA in Sports Business
PG diploma courses –
- PG Diploma in Sports Medicine
- PG Diploma in Sports Science and Nutrition
- PG Diploma in Sports Coaching
- PG Diploma in Sports Journalism
- PGDM in Sports Business
- PGDM in Sports Management
Top Universities offering Degrees in Sports Science
- Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education and Sports Science
- Dhyan Chand Sports College
- Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Thiruvananthapuram
- NSNIS
- Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management
- NCA, Bangalore
- Gujarat University
Sports science degree entry requirements
Most of the university wants science candidates to join the courses especially having a deep knowledge of physical education and biology. Some may also want the student must have awareness about the subject psychology.
While studying sports science if anyone thinks that he/ she would like to combine it with any other subject, several universities give them the option to study another subject such as English, geography, education studies or mathematics.
Sports science degree modules (Curriculum)
- Bio mechanics: The study of movements of various parts of the body which consists of principles of mathematics and physics.
- Physiology: Learning how the different systems in the body function, such as the cardiovascular system during the point of the exercise.
- Psychology: The study of how performance affects the thinking process.
- Teaching and Coaching
- Sports management
- The sociology of sports
- Physical health and activity
- Diet and Nutrition
- Motor control
- An introduction to anatomy
Teaching Methodology
Unlike physical education in school, sports science is taught in a different manner. It is basically based on the theories sessions, so there are fewer chances to involve in games. The primary methods of study are:
- Lectures: Taking reasonable notes and listening with rapt attention.
- Seminars: Often group discussions and involving in interactive sessions.
- Lab sessions: After gaining theoretical knowledge, students need to apply the skills practically. Hence students are given the opportunities to work in the laboratory under proper supervision.
- Practical sessions: This might include taking on a performer, leader or observer role, usually in a sports hall, gym, swimming pool or on a sports field or court.
Sports Science Careers
As a sports science graduate, various kinds of prospects are there to explore. Some of them may include:
- Academic research
- Personal training
- Physiotherapy
- Professional coaching
- Sports management
- Sports nutrition
- Sports psychology
- Strength and conditioning.
Being a sports science graduate, some non-scientific sports fields can also be pursued. Teaching PE, sports journalism, marketing or advertising, or youth work (e.g working as a sports development officer in a local community). In the case of journalism, a post-graduate degree may be more beneficial. Read more about careers in sports journalism.
Becoming more employable – sport science internships, volunteer placements, and postgraduate study
Working in any organization as a sports scientist will require a post graduate degree as well as extensive knowledge and experience. For applied jobs, such as coaching, practical experience is required to a great extent. This can be availed while studying in the universities by getting involved in various internships and volunteering a lot of events.
Skills that will help you make a career in sports science
As well as gaining an understanding of the science behind sport and exercise and how to relate it, a sport science graduate will gain a number of useful skills, predominantly research and analytical skills. You will enrich yourself in critically evaluating information, designing research studies, collecting data and dissecting the results. Some other skills which will help you to develop a vast knowledge include:
- Problem solving
- Decision making
- Leadership
- Working together with variety of people
- Organization and time management
- Verbal and Written communication
Why study sports science?
- Sports science being relatively a new academic discipline has received a lot of funding in recent years and has become very popular. There has been a hike to the new technologies and medicines that are breaking ground in our day-to-day lives.
- There has been a huge demand in the job market for sports scientists. With the new technologies involved and the need for the athletes to get an extra edge becoming more heightened, the skills of the scientists will be in value.
- The graduates in sports science will have a wealth of career options and paths which involve coaches, psychologists, agents, personal trainers or work in sports governance.
- If you are a sports freak, then functioning in it every day, no matter what sport it is would be a dream career. Sports science puts you right at the heart of it, with plenty of placement opportunities.
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