Sports sci, physio, OT, or something else... which route for v mature student?

I'm a very mature student (almost 50) looking for a career change and I want to do something related to movement/mobility/anatomy/physiology/biomechanics... I'm basically very interested in how we move, what the barriers to movement are, how to support people to move more and move well. I'm qualified as a yoga teacher (though i don't teach, did it more for my own practice) and I'm particularly interested in supporting women in their midlife. I do love watching sports - especially athletics -but am not actively involved directly with a sport myself. I am really interested in how people train though and learning more about that. I'm fairly active, I do dance, yoga, walking, some weights, but also have some injuries that mean I can't do anything high impact.

I've seen the distance learning sports science degree at MMU but I'm not sure if sports science is something I'll enjoy or if it will lead to a career. Something like physio or OT is more direct as a career pathway, but I am not sure I want to go through the whole NHS rotation thing..

Any advice? What could I get involved with work-wise to try and get some experience and find out if this is the right path for me?

Reply 1

$hadow

Original post by boakster

I'm a very mature student (almost 50) looking for a career change and I want to do something related to movement/mobility/anatomy/physiology/biomechanics... I'm basically very interested in how we move, what the barriers to movement are, how to support people to move more and move well. I'm qualified as a yoga teacher (though i don't teach, did it more for my own practice) and I'm particularly interested in supporting women in their midlife. I do love watching sports - especially athletics -but am not actively involved directly with a sport myself. I am really interested in how people train though and learning more about that. I'm fairly active, I do dance, yoga, walking, some weights, but also have some injuries that mean I can't do anything high impact.
I've seen the distance learning sports science degree at MMU but I'm not sure if sports science is something I'll enjoy or if it will lead to a career. Something like physio or OT is more direct as a career pathway, but I am not sure I want to go through the whole NHS rotation thing..
Any advice? What could I get involved with work-wise to try and get some experience and find out if this is the right path for me?

Sounds like women's health physiotherapy or MSK/sports physiotherapy would be a perfect fit, and I think physiotherapy has the best job demand and security out of the things you mentioned.

NHS rotations are not mandatory, but recommended for exposure and support purposes; you can always go straight into private practice (mixed MSK/women's health or women's sports teams, etc.)

I completed my physiotherapy degree (BSc) in 2017 and my band 5 NHS rotations as well... if you have questions about physiotherapy, feel free to shoot them my way.

(edited 9 months ago)

Reply 2

Cammy1982

Original post by boakster

I'm a very mature student (almost 50) looking for a career change and I want to do something related to movement/mobility/anatomy/physiology/biomechanics... I'm basically very interested in how we move, what the barriers to movement are, how to support people to move more and move well. I'm qualified as a yoga teacher (though i don't teach, did it more for my own practice) and I'm particularly interested in supporting women in their midlife. I do love watching sports - especially athletics -but am not actively involved directly with a sport myself. I am really interested in how people train though and learning more about that. I'm fairly active, I do dance, yoga, walking, some weights, but also have some injuries that mean I can't do anything high impact.
I've seen the distance learning sports science degree at MMU but I'm not sure if sports science is something I'll enjoy or if it will lead to a career. Something like physio or OT is more direct as a career pathway, but I am not sure I want to go through the whole NHS rotation thing..
Any advice? What could I get involved with work-wise to try and get some experience and find out if this is the right path for me?

Hi Im 42 and just starting my OT MSc in Jan, I worked as a Rehab assistant on a stroke ward for 18 months. This was really good experience of ward environment working alongside nursing staff and the Therapy team. I mainly worked with OT and PT and SaLT to support patients in recovery of stroke. I think there would be some room to add in your exsisting knowledge of yoga to rehab sessions which will overall be lead by the PT. PT is more movement based whereas OT is more wellbeing and cognitive focus but both deal with patients holistically. If you have any other questions, I will do ny best to answer. Dont let age stop you, we have still plenty of working life left and could really make a difference to others.