Working Life

Sports therapists give advice on preventing injury. They also examine and treat injuries and rehabilitate people back to fitness both for sport and everyday life, including work.

Sports therapists are specialists in the musculoskeletal system, being able to diagnose and treat a range of conditions, including strains, sprains, tennis elbow and frosen shoulder.

Sports therapy isn't just about working with injured sports professionals. Therapists can help people of any age or ability. Patients might not be involved in sport - the therapy can help anyone who's involved in physical activity. For example, non-sports people might see a sports therapist for relief from muscular pain caused by injury, poor posture or repetitive strain.

When they first meet a patient, therapists examine and observe them to assess the problem. This could involve watching how the patient walks (their gait), testing joints for range of movement, and feeling for tightness in muscle fibres. Therapists use their knowledge of sports and exercise science, including biomechanics, physiology and pathology. Having observed the patient, they put together a programme to treat their specific problem, taking into account which sport the person is involved in. This could involve training them in exercises to increase strength, flexibility or stamina, or teaching ways to reduce the risk of injury. In some cases, they will refer the patient to a medical specialist.

Rehabilitation could involve:

• using massage to correct muscular imbalance
• exercises to strengthen muscles and joints
• helping the patient to stretch
• electrotherapy
• manual therapy
• therapeutic ultrasound.

Therapists don't just deal with physical things to do with the body; they also help people deal with the emotional effects of sports injuries. Therapists help people to prepare for sports training and competition. They give advice on how to train to improve performance and avoid injury.

For example, massage before events helps to avoid tight muscles and hamstrings. In running, tight hamstrings reduce stride length, meaning that the runner has to put in more effort. In swimming, tight muscles restrict flexibility and lead to less efficient strokes.

Before a sports event, this can involve giving advice on things like:

• mental preparation
• massage
• strapping and taping to prevent injury and provide support
• stretching, warming up and cooling down.

Sports therapists are trained to give first aid during events. They examine injuries and give their opinion on whether the sportsperson can continue. Afterwards, they examine injuries and deal with problems such as cuts, bruises and blisters.

For more serious injuries, they decide whether to refer the sportsperson for emergency treatment or to a healthcare specialist at a later date. Sports therapists might combine therapy with other sports-related work, for example, as a personal trainer or fitness instructor. Some therapists are qualified to give advice on diet and nutrition for sport.

Further Information

• Sports therapist- from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Any form of sports therapy training currently enables an individual to practise therapy. Some positions require a formal qualification and experience. Courses are available for non-graduates, undergraduates and graduates at a number of institutions and colleges. Some focus in performance is on the physical, others on the edge based on mentality.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: groupwork and facilitation, sports recreation and exercise.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: fitness instructor, gym-based exercise, gym and fitness instructor, personal trainer, sports coaching, outdoor activity instructor, sport coaching and exercise, elite soccer, performance and coaching, psychology, physiology and health science, sports and leisure management, pre university physiotherapy, sports physio, sports and physical therapy, holistic and physical therapies, recreation and exercise, physio assistant.

Search for PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: sports coaching and business management, health and performance science, inclusive sport and physical activity, coaching science and sports pedagogy, nutrition and health science, nutrition and health science, physiology and health science, health science and physiology, physiotherapy, sports studies physiology and massage, health physiology.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: sports coaching, applied sports coaching, coaching science in sport, personal and management coaching.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

CORU, the Health and Social Care Professional Council which is the State organisation that manages the official register of healthcare professionals.

Irish Society for Physiotherapists

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €61k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Payscale / Glassdoor/ Indeed/ HSE

Last Updated: July, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Physiotherapists; Occupational therapists; Speech and language therapists; Therapy professionals n.e.c (not elsewhere classified).   

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was below average for therapy professionals, with levels in 2022 remaining below that of 2020. Although LFS data does not allow for a detailed breakdown of employment in this group, Census data for 2016 and 2022 shows detailed employment as follows.

Despite the lack of overall employment growth in recent years, issues with recruitment resulted in a number of therapist roles (occupational, physiotherapists and speech and language) being added to the Critical Skills Employment Permit List in June 2022. A total of 53 new permits were issued in 2022, primarily for physiotherapists with a small number for occupational and speech & language therapists.

The delivery of the Sláintecare report, particularly in terms of community care and mental health services, will require additional staffing in these occupations and, while a combined total of 100 additional training places are planned for occupational, physio, and speech/language therapists in Ireland and Northern Ireland’s education system, given the duration of training programmes, recruitment difficulties for these posts are unlikely to ease in the short-to-medium term. However, as employment levels are not increasing and the data does not allow for detailed analysis, it is not possible to determine if shortages exist for this occupation at present.

• Sport Ireland

  • Sport Ireland National Sports Campus, Snugborough Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
  • (01) 8608800
  • [email protected]
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