Exercise and Sport Science

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  imissbeans on 19/11/2015 - 19:49

  +2

  Since you have a background in OH&S have you considered the occupational rehabilitation industry? Many exercise physiologists and physiotherapists work in this industry and if you did continue your studies, i think your two degrees would be desirable in this industry. Exercise physiology and physiotherapy students complete similar starting units in the first year, everything can be learnt even if you don't have a science background from high school, I speak from experience. Personally i would prefer Physiotherapy, perhaps you can enrol as a post graduate student?

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    [Deactivated] on 19/11/2015 - 19:56

    Thanks for your informative comment. I did a degree in Security Science and a post grad diploma in OH&S to complement the degree (probably should have made that clearer), so I believe I would require to do an undergraduate degree.

    Likewise I would prefer physiotherapy but I equally like exercise physiology. Only con I see in physio is the additional year of study required and the difficulty from what others have told me..

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      imissbeans on 19/11/2015 - 20:04

      To me, at the end of the day, one year towards a career that you are more passionate about is nothing. The last year of physiotherapy tends to be practicum placements where you get clinical experience. Though this year is challenging, its very beneficial as its the year that you get to experience what its like to be a physiotherapist (student) as you tend to have your own patient load. Once you obtain the qualification, and with continued learning and registration, you will be a physiotherapist for the rest of your life. Good luck!

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        [Deactivated] on 19/11/2015 - 20:51

        Very valid point.. Thanks for your advice :-)

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  ms_caz on 19/11/2015 - 20:09

  The field of exercise and fitness is oversupplied with the base level qualifications (Certificate courses). Work as a fitness/personal trainer tends to be sessional and is based on your business acumen as much as anything (ie, your ability to recruit new clients, market yourself etc). This field of work belongs to the industry category Arts and Recreation which really only employs a very small percentage of Australia's population, and although it is growing, is subject to the vagaries of discretionary income - that is, if times get tough, people are less likely to spend their money on personal trainers etc.

  An Exercise and Sports Science degree is somewhat more complex, obviously. It requires a science background. I'm not sure where you are located but the Degree at VUT (in Melbourne) includes Anatomy and physiology, Biomechanics, Diet and nutrition, Ethics, Exercise physiology, Exercise science, Health education, History, Human movement, Kinesiology, Motor learning and performance, Physiology, Psychology (sport and exercise), Psychosocial studies, Research methods, Sociology, Sports therapy.

  If you don't have a background in Science I am sure there will be a bridging course - but be aware it is not just a little bit of science - it is all science. This field of work belongs to the Health and Community Services sector - the fastest growing and largest industry sector in Australia - so you can probably bank on an increasing number of jobs in the future, although there is strong competition for jobs for graduates in this area currently. An entry level qualification to this field is something like the Diploma of Massage/Myotherapy which you might be interested in investigating further - and it will obviously be a shorter course if you are not keen on too much further study.

  Physiotherapy is one of the most popular courses to access for school leavers with one of the highest ATARs, which really means there are so many more applicants for places than for places available. It involves a very high level of study and a fairly set course in terms of units that you complete, whereas I think that Sports Science has more opportunity for you to choose elective units. It also involves extensive clinical placement throughout the course, and a formal registration process to practice as a physio at the end of it. I think that more jobs are actually advertised for physios (as a job title) than Exercise or Sports Scientists BUT as i said this industry sector is growing so rapidly it is hard to fill the demand, and many of the more routine tasks are now being performed by para-professionals in the field, who may have a background in the area through a certificate level qualification in Allied Health or Health Assistance.

  TL/DR: there are lots of options

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    [Deactivated] on 19/11/2015 - 20:54

    Wow, I cant thank you enough for the detailed help..

    I am over in WA/Perth..

    The Science aspect is intimidating but will query with the faculty at uni to see about a bridging unit etc..

    Will have to give Physio or Exercise/Sports Science some thought to make an informed decision..