Performance sports scientist

Career path and progression

You could work with universities, schools and colleges, large sporting organisations, local authorities and the NHS. It's also possible to become self-employed or work in a related career area, like sports development or performance testing and research.

You could also apply for accreditation through The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences in a number of areas, including:

• sports psychology
• clinical physiology
• exercise and rehabilitation
• high performance sport

This offers professional recognition of your experience and expertise. A further option is to seek Chartered Scientist status.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• knowledge of biology
• knowledge of psychology
• the ability to work well with others
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• maths skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• excellent written communication skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Biology - Performance sports scientists need a deep understanding of how the human body works, including muscles, the cardiovascular system, and how the body responds to exercise. They use this knowledge of physiology to design training plans, monitor athletes' physical responses, and help prevent injuries.
• Physical Education - Performance sports scientists work directly with athletes and sports teams to improve performance through training and conditioning. Understanding sport, fitness principles, and how the body moves during different activities is central to their everyday work.
• Psychology - Performance sports scientists study how mental factors like motivation, confidence, and stress affect athletic performance. They may use psychological techniques to help athletes prepare for competition, recover from setbacks, and maintain focus under pressure.
• Mathematics - Performance sports scientists analyse large amounts of training and competition data using statistics to identify patterns and areas for improvement. They calculate metrics like power output, heart rate zones, and recovery rates to make evidence-based recommendations for athletes.
• Physics - Performance sports scientists apply biomechanics – the physics of human movement – to analyse how athletes run, jump, throw, or swim. Understanding forces, motion, and energy transfer helps them optimise technique and advise on the design of sports equipment.

Also relevant

• Chemistry - Performance sports scientists benefit from understanding biochemistry, including how the body produces energy, processes nutrients, and responds to different types of exercise at a cellular level. This knowledge supports their work on nutrition strategies and recovery protocols.
• Design and Technology - Performance sports scientists sometimes advise on the design and manufacture of sports equipment, from running shoes to cycling helmets. Understanding materials, ergonomics, and the design process helps them contribute to equipment that enhances performance and reduces injury risk.
• Computer Science - Performance sports scientists increasingly use data analysis software, motion-capture systems, and wearable technology that generate complex datasets. Understanding how these digital tools process and model data helps them extract meaningful insights from athlete performance information.
• Food Preparation and Nutrition - Performance sports scientists often work alongside nutritionists or advise athletes on diet and hydration strategies. Understanding how different nutrients fuel the body and support recovery is an important part of optimising overall athletic performance.