Envision yourself in a stadium where people are waving flags, having a beer, and waiting anxiously to see their favorite teams in action. The camera focuses on the audience, and then suddenly, on the display screen, you start seeing your player’s jerseys with their names and numbers. If you are in a football stadium, you will witness a rush of emotions and thrill for ninety minutes. From listening to the referee whistling to watching the last penalty goals, those ninety minutes give you a lifetime memory.
The players that are out there on the football grounds must have spent months and years of rigorous training to excel on that particular day. They all step into the ground with only one ambition in mind, and that is to “Win.” They push themselves beyond limits to bag the trophy and the win. The game is at its peak, and then your heart suddenly stops beating, seeing the leading player walking out of the ground limping due to an injury.
The person behind the well-being of these players is their athletic trainer or physical therapist. They combine their degrees and skills to help players excel in their game by staying fit and healthy. They help them train their muscles, control their diet, and help them recover from their injuries. Not everyone can be the athletes or sports trainer as it requires a particular degree and education. Here is how these trainers can reap the benefits of their degrees.
- Personal Trainer
Thanks to the leading statistics of chronic health issues due to obesity, people today are more body and weight conscious. For the past few years, the trend of fitness programs and gyms have evolved tremendously. Many people join a gym or watch video tutorials to get into better shape. Some people hire personal trainers. Nowadays there is an increase in demand for these professional trainers. Newbies who want to join this field can opt for an online exercise science bachelor’s degree to pursue a trainer career.
As a personal trainer, you interact with your clients to help them achieve their fitness goals. These trainers perform fitness assessments, design exercise programs, and develop a fitness program for their clients. Personal trainers have the autonomy and flexibility in their job. The more they gain experience, the more they have growth opportunities aligned in front of them.
- Exercise Physiologists
When we finish our vocational education, our first step is to look for a job with a stable income and career growth. If a career pathway has room for enough growth, it means that your degree will never go in vain. Even if you are a high school student entering university and thinking of being an exercise physiologist, you are on the right track. By the year 2028, this career pathway will expand further by 10%. As an exercise physiologist, your job will be to develop fitness plans by keeping in mind a person’s anatomy and muscular strength. The plans you devise will help your patients to recover from chronic injuries.
Many people lose their mobility due to prolonged hospitalization or because of an accident. You can help their muscles gain regular strength by assisting them to exercise while understanding their physiology. Moving your body so that it does not bring any damage requires the help of a professional. We might know how to exercise, but we do not know how to do it right. These physiologists help us in getting our postures right during exercises.
- PE Teachers
We all must have waited a whole week to enjoy that PE time in our schools and colleges where we could play our favorite games. PE teachers might not get the maximum salary with their degrees. Still, they enjoy summer and winter breaks, which are uncommon in other fields. PE teachers train students to strengthen their bodies, engage them in healthy physical exercises, and get them to practice sports. As a PE teacher, you can hang out in your favorite gym gear all day and coach fun sports like kickball, dodge ball, and many other exciting games.
PE teachers enjoy working in educational settings and with different age groups. They are well aware of young kids’ strength and endurance and those in their early or late teens. According to the age group they are dealing with, these teachers design plans and takes all the necessary measures to prevent injuries.
- Athletic Trainer
These individuals are heroes without capes, for they are the reason behind our favorite athletes’ physical fitness. From managing their exercises to helping them recover from injuries, these trainers are always there. They work closely with athletes and in other educational settings like colleges or university sports. These trainers train and guide emerging athletes to get a hold of their skills and understand their bodies. Bolt is one of the fastest racers globally, and he wouldn’t have been one had it not been for his trainers. His trainers helped him to build stamina from such fast running. They help a sportsman’s body to adapt to intense training and help them stay healthy through exercise and diet. In case of any injury, they help them train their muscles to regain their strength. The employment ratio in this field has grown many folds since 2016.
- Strength and Conditioning Coach
These coaches are known for creating programs that boost sports and athletic performances, teach fitness skills, and prevent injuries. They motivate individuals, small groups of athletes, and entire teams towards physical excellence. While developing their strength and conditioning programs, they follow the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). If you wish to join this pathway, you need to lead by example. If you have enough endurance, you can train your mentees with perfection. These coaches often collaborate with athletic trainers for the rehabilitation of injured athletes. The beginner median salary for this field starts at forty thousand dollars. With ten years of experience, the median annual wage ranges up to 53,900 dollars.
Conclusion
The term exercise refers to the study of human body responses towards physical exercises. It entails many other disciplines like biomechanics, sports psychology, exercise program design, and behavioral strategies. A degree in exercise sciences helps prepare professionals to gain knowledge and training to help people live a healthier and fit lifestyle. These people can join various career pathways related to sports. Still, they can serve as physical therapists and exercise therapists in the healthcare industry. This field offers better job satisfaction, stable income, and flexible working hours. No matter what career pathway you choose with your degree, you will explore unique benefits and job perks that can serve you many benefits.