A lot of people are familiar with the professions associated with exercise science, but most people aren’t familiar with the field. Exercise science includes everything from physical therapy, chiropractic, Pilates, Gyrotonics, kinesiology and sports medicine. People within the exercise science field study the body and how it works in motion.
They can use their findings in order to define the best ways to build muscle and gain flexibility in order to prevent injury. Their findings also help us to find the best ways to treat injuries and rehabilitate the body in every way possible. If you’re interested in any of these professions, here is what you can do with an exercise science degree.
Physical Therapy
One of the most rewarding practices that you can have in the exercise science field is physical therapy. Physical therapists are the amazing people who help us recover from our injuries of all kinds, from torn tendons to spinal damage. These are the people who improve the quality of life for those who are born disabled, and they keep athletes on the right track so that they can lead longer careers. The most difficult part is that you can’t force your patients to do their homework, so some people will make more progress than others.
Chiropractor
People who injure themselves often have inflammation in their joints, and a lot of times that damage will cause the bones to put undue pressure on one another. A chiropractor has to know the body inside and out and be able to assess upon feeling one’s muscles and bones exactly what kind of adjustment the patient needs. They then need to know exactly how to execute these adjustments without further inuring the patient.
Sports Medicine
A lot of people who work as chiropractors also tend to practice sports medicine. That is because the two pair very well for athletes who regularly injure themselves or continue playing in spite of chronic injuries. A sports doctor will know exactly how to treat both temporary and chronic injuries and instruct an athlete in regard to what they should and shouldn’t do if they want to extend their careers as long as possible.
Personal Trainer
When it comes to getting fit and staying fit, every person will need to take a slightly different approach. The various approaches one might take will depend on their body type, their goals, and what they expect their body to do. A gymnast will need to maintain a different kind of exercise regimen than a cyclist if they want to be competitive. A personal trainer needs to understand the science of exercise in order to prescribe the right regimen to each and every client.
Pilates Instructor
While you may not need a degree in exercise science from a prestigious school like New England College in order to become a Pilates instructor, it definitely won’t hurt your career. In fact, it will give you a much better foundation of knowledge in order to refine your practice. Pilates instructors use a wide array of exercises that were developed by Josef Pilates in order to help their clients with their fitness goals. Some of these exercises are performed with specialty equipment, and some exercises do not make use of any equipment.
