Professor Stephen Bird

Exercise SciencesSchool of Medical SciencesRMIT University, Melbourne

What is a Sport and/or Exercise Scientist?

- A multidisciplinary professional who uses a scientific approach and knowledge in the field of sport and/or exercise

What do Sport and Exercise Scientists Do?

• Sport• Exercise for Health• Exercise for the Prevention and Treatment

of Diseases• Exercise Rehabilitation• Research into all of the above

What do Sport and Exercise Scientists Do?

• Sport:– Assessment

• Fitness• Skills• Performance

– Analyses and identification of requirements– Fitness, training conditioning– Motor Skills training– Psychology– Works alongside other professionals in the sports environment

• Coach• Physiotherapists• Doctors• Nutritionists• Many others

EXERCISE and SPORT SCIENCE

What does a Sport Scientist do?

- Tests & maximises athletic performance

- Evaluates an athlete’s biomechanical and physiological boundaries

- Provides general health and fitness screening

- Reduces injury risk- Provides exercise therapy for

rehabilitation purposes- Optimises Skills

Where are our graduates?

Danielle Stefano is a Sport Scientist at the Victorian Institute of Sport

She graduated in 2005

Where are our graduates?

Troy Flanagan is now Head of Sport Science for the USA Winter Olympic team.

He graduated in 1995

Where are our graduates?

Nick Mifsud is a Technical Representative at Brooks Running

He graduated in 2006

Graduate Profile Adam Basil completed a

Human Movement degree and fieldwork.

He is now employed by the Melbourne Victory Football Club.

As Head of Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation, Adam implements strength, speed and agility, and flexibility programs; as well as specialised rehabilitation for injured players.

Graduate Profile Damien completed a

VIS traineeship through his Human Movement degree fieldwork.

This led to his current

employment as Sports Science Coordinator with Bowls Australia.

What do Sport and Exercise Scientists Do?

Health and Wellness Gym/Recreation Centres/Wellness Older People Health Coaching and Personal

Trainers– personal, group, community, organizational

Government – project officer local, state, & federal

Government - policy development / advisory

Private sector – health spa’s/resorts

Corporate health – stress management, team building

What do Sport and Exercise Scientists Do?

• Special Populations– Overweight and Obesity– Diabetes

What do Sport and Exercise Scientists Do?

• Rehabilitation– Cardiovascular Disease– Pulmonary Disease– Musculoskeletal Injury- Sport – strength & conditioning- Exercise physiologist in

- Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation- Neurological Rehabilitation- Cardiorespiratory Rehabilitation- Hospital/GP environment

- Occupational – Work Cover & ComCare- Case management- OHS assessment, consulting- Ergonomics

What do Sport and Exercise Scientists Do?

• Research

What are the areas of study? Anatomy Physiology Lifespan Development Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, Exercise Prescription, Resistance Training, Motor Learning Exercise Rehabilitation Psychology Research Methods Sociology Business Marketing Finance

Fieldwork

UNDERGRADUATE TERTIARY STUDIES

VICTORIAN UNIVERSITIESAustralian Catholic UniversityBallarat UniversityDeakin UniversityRMITVictoria University

DEGREES:Human MovementExercise & Sport ScienceAlso Degrees in Physical Education

INTERSTATE UNIVERSITIESNSW CSU Sydney Wollongong

UTS NSW Southern Cross

QLD JCU QUT Queensland Bond CQU Griffith Sunshine Coast

SA University of South Australia

TAS University of Tasmania

WA Western Australia Notre Dame ECU

UNDERGRADUATE TERTIARY STUDIES

TYPICAL ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

- A grade of at least 25 in English and in two of:- Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Outdoor Education,

Psychology, Physical Education and Physics- The required ENTER cut off score will be dependent on

University requirements and other forms of admission requirements required by independent institutions

- Non-year 12 have alternative and specific application procedures and requirements- See each University for details

POSTGRADUATE STUDIES Graduate Diploma and

Honours- undertaken in a relevant field

by coursework- full time/part time comprising

1-2 years Masters

- can be course work or research based

Professional Doctorate/Doctor of Philosophy (PhD.)

- Course work based in a relevant field

- Research thesis

Other:PhysiotherapyOsteopathyNutritionPE

PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT

Professional Bodies:- Member of the Australian

Association for Exercise and Sports Sciences (AAESS)

- Member of Sports Medicine Australia (SMA)

WHO IS AAESS?

The Australian Association for Exercise and Sports Science“AAESS is a professional organisation which is committed to establishing, promoting and defending the career paths

of tertiary trained exercise and sports science practitioners, who are in turn committed to best practice and client well-

being”

Student memberships are available Once criteria has been meet, can apply to be registered as

an Exercise Physiologist or Sport Scientist

Employment Opportunities Rehabilitation (AAESS eligible) Sports Science Health/Fitness Centres Exercise Fitness Consultant/Advisor Sports Coaching & Administration Disability Teaching, Physiotherapy, Dietetics*

*additional study required

Thank you