What’s the difference between exercise and sport science and exercise physiology?

Both exercise and sport science and exercise physiology are fields that have been designed to enhance people’s health and wellbeing. While many people talk about exercise science and exercise physiology interchangeably, there are some very distinct differences between them.

What does an exercise and sport scientist do?

Exercise and sport science is a comprehensive field that uses the science of exercise and includes areas like skill acquisition, behaviour change, strength training, human performance, and public health.

Exercise and sport scientists design and implement physical activity and exercise training plans for a wide range of people. You’ll find them working with athletes to improve sports performance through technique analysis, recovery practices, data interpretation and nutrition and injury prevention plans. You’ll also find them in the community and workplaces helping healthy people with disease prevention as well as rehabilitation from injuries.

How to become an exercise and sport scientist

We offer a Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) where you’ll apply theory to practice to explore a range of topics that provide you with a broad understanding of this discipline. In this three-year, full-time degree you’ll examine metabolism and physiology, human motor learning and control, behaviour change as well as principles of exercise assessment and programming.

Within this degree, there’s also the option of completing an additional major or minor from the wide pool available at The University of Sydney, such as High Performance in Sport.

Added to this, the Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) integrates workplace practice, practical learning and case studies to provide our students with the advanced skills and experience essential for professional practice. Upon graduation, you can be accredited as an exercise scientist through Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA).

Find out more about a career in exercise and sport science:

What does an accredited exercise physiologist do?

Exercise physiology is a specialised branch which builds on the broader scope of exercise science and zeroes in on using exercise as medicine.

Exercise physiologists treat people to manage and prevent long-term medical conditions and disabilities, or affected by injury. They assess physical capacity and design, implement, and deliver exercise and lifestyle programs. As an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, you may work individually or as part of an interdisciplinary team, such as with doctors, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and dieticians to provide holistic care for health consumers.

How to become an accredited exercise physiologist

Our Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise Physiology) offers an in-depth exploration of exercise physiology, covering all the topics of the Exercise Science degree, plus topics such as musculoskeletal rehabilitation, neuroscience, and exercise pharmacology. You’ll gain hands-on experience by engaging in clinical settings and working with a diverse range of clients.

This is a four-year, full-time degree where you’ll learn in a practical setting that will prepare you with the advanced skills required for professional practice.

Once you’ve completed your degree, you can be accredited as an exercise physiologist through ESSA where you’ll be able to provide services under Medicare, the Department of Veterans Affairs, WorkCover, NDIS, and private health insurance funds.

Our graduates can be found working in hospitals, private practice, aged care, the disability sector and occupational rehabilitation.

An alternative pathway to becoming an accredited exercise physiologist is where you first undertake the Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) or a bachelor’s degree in a health-related discipline (with an approved Graduate Entry Assessment by Exercise & Sports Science Australia) then complete the Master of Exercise Physiology. The Master of Exercise Physiology can be completed full-time over one and a half years, or part time.