Sports Therapist

Sports therapists support and motivate patients to regain confidence in their own strengths and physical abilities and to become more independent in everyday life and at work. From fitness training and back training to walking to tai chi, sports therapists carry out numerous treatment programs that are tailored to the patient's needs and are intended to prepare the patient for an active lifestyle. In addition, they use sports medicine test procedures, advise on nutritional issues and promote health-oriented behavior. They carry out administrative tasks, document therapy courses and results and justify changes in the sports or nutrition plan. In scientific research, they develop new sports therapy concepts and publish research results. Independent scientific activities usually open up. only after completing a master’s degree and a doctorate.

Sports therapists find employment

• in rehabilitation and health clinics
• in hospitals
• in specialist practices for sports medicine as well as rehabilitation and therapy centers
• in health centers
• at sports associations
• in spa hotels

The salary level for Sports Therapist in Germany is: from 3928 up to 6444 EUR per month

Why is?

Sports therapists use sports training programs to treat and support patients with physical, psychological and psychosocial impairments.

The focus is on the patient

Patients who are at risk or affected by incapacity for work, incapacity for work or need for care can learn to become more independent in everyday life and work with the help of sports therapy. Strength, endurance, flexibility and coordination training are the means that sports therapists primarily have at their disposal. With great empathy, they motivate the patients to trust their bodies and thus themselves more.

Individually tailored treatment programs

First of all, sports therapists create treatment programs that are individually tailored to the patient. The possible therapeutic measures that they then carry out include cardiovascular and coordination training on the treadmill or bicycle ergometer. Depending on the patient group, the therapists offer back school, exercise bath in thermal water, therapeutic back swimming, walking or tai chi. In wheelchair training groups, they use, for example, driver training, table tennis, archery or basketball. The aim of group training is to promote the entire personality of the patient. In addition, sports therapists conduct sports medicine test procedures. For example, they work with devices that detect malfunctions in muscles and joints before the disorders become noticeable. If there is an arterial occlusive disease, they measure the walking distances on the treadmill that patients can cover. The course documentation of the treadmill ergometer is also helpful when completing vascular training.

Health promotion for everyone

Sports therapists also provide advice on nutritional issues and general health promotion. This is about improving or maintaining health and performance. Sports therapists use devices to strengthen the muscles, but also methods such as autogenic training, brush massage, Kneipp and sauna treatments or hikes. A master’s degree is often required for management positions.

If sports therapists are active in research and teaching, they develop, for example, sports therapy concepts in the field of health promotion, conduct courses and take exams. As a rule, for independent scientific activities a master's degree and a doctorate are required.