Sports engineering is an often overlooked but rapidly growing field in the sports industry. It is a cross-disciplinary area of study which combines the use of engineering principles and processes to improve the performance of athletes, both in terms of their physical capabilities and the equipment they use. Sports engineers develop and apply innovative technologies, materials, and processes in order to improve the performance and quality of sports products, such as sports clothing and equipment, as well as the performance of athletes. This field of study has contributed to the advancement of sports science and technology, allowing athletes to achieve higher levels of performance. In this blog post, we will explore in depth what sports engineering is, the various disciplines it encompasses, the various technologies and processes involved, and the potential career paths that exist within this exciting field.
What does a sports engineer do?
Sports engineers have many duties, which can include:
Designing and testing sporting equipment
Sports engineers can create, test, and use new types of sporting goods. This can include anything from athletic balls to machinery, high-performance clothing, and exercise equipment. Engineers use cutting-edge mechanical knowledge and other principles to create athletic equipment that is both functional and effective. For a football field, a sports engineer might create a new type of turf that repels water and doesn’t rip under intense pressure. To keep athletes competing safely and effectively, sports engineers find solutions to some of the most difficult problems in sports.
Studying human movement and performance
In order to design the best equipment, facilities, supplements, or other sports equipment or enhancers, engineers can also research human performance and movement. This position is typically filled by a sports engineer with medical training, who analyzes athletes’ movements from an anatomical standpoint and determines how movements impact particular bodily structures, such as bones, joints, internal organs, or muscle groups. By learning more about how certain sports may affect an athlete’s long-term health and how to minimize these effects to keep them healthy and active, engineers can create supplements that are more effective.
Designing sports complexes and arenas
The design of sports facilities and arenas can also be assisted by sports engineers with engineering backgrounds. Design arenas with the needs of the athletes on the fields in mind, making sports complexes more cost-effective and geared toward the sport itself. For instance, a sports engineer might create a basketball court with superior flooring and soundproof walls to lessen the impact of athletes’ feet on the court and to muffle outside noise. Additionally, sports arenas and complexes house hundreds or thousands of spectators, necessitating certain safety precautions.
Educating the public or giving presentations
To inform the public about sports performance, sports complexes, and any other novel sports techniques they develop, sports engineers also give educational presentations. For instance, sports engineers may give a presentation on how the machine functions and why it is best for baseball players if they create a new workout device just for baseball players. They can also inform the public about physical activity and exercise, the effectiveness of sports supplements, and how an athlete’s environment may affect their performance. Public outreach can help increase public confidence and trust.
Increasing athlete safety and reducing injury
Sports engineers study human movement, exercise, anatomy, and the facilities and equipment that athletes use to improve themselves and perform better in order to reduce the number of accidental injuries that occur in professional and amateur sports. Increasing athlete safety can improve performance and keep the entire team in top form for the season. Athletes who have been injured can use physical therapy equipment designed by engineers to help them regain their mobility. Given that both disciplines deal with an athlete’s performance and recovery, sports engineering and sports medicine frequently intersect.
What is a sports engineer?
A sports engineer is a professional who works in the sports industry and applies engineering and scientific principles to solve challenging problems in sports. Creating tools or facilities, researching athletic performance, or giving speeches in public are examples of this. Sports engineers arent always engineers to start. They can also be chemists, biologists, doctors, and professionals from a variety of other scientific fields who can help you use your knowledge to advance the sports industry.
How to become a sports engineer
To acquire the credentials and abilities required to succeed in the field, becoming a sports engineer may involve taking some specific steps. Follow these steps to become a sports engineer:
1. Get an undergraduate degree
Typically, sports engineers hold an undergraduate degree in engineering, mathematics, or science. Some options might include:
A bachelor’s degree helps future sports engineers build a foundational understanding of engineering, mathematics, and scientific principles that they can use in their work. You can discover how the human body functions, how physics influences how well it performs, how mechanical structures function, and how mathematics influences science, physics, and engineering. Consider an undergraduate degree as a minimum qualification. Some engineers have a masters degree or higher.
2. Consider a sports technology certification
A certification in sports technology can assist aspiring engineers in understanding how sports technology works and how their expertise can be applied to improving and designing sports technology. You can learn everything there is to know about sporting goods, facilities, sports nutrition, and other technological developments in the sector. Some employers might favor applicants who have a certification or degree in sports technology because it can demonstrate that they are knowledgeable about the sports industry and eager to use their scientific training there.
3. Apply for sports engineering positions
Once you have earned a degree or certification, you can start applying for jobs in sports engineering. When you first enter the field, you might work as a sports apprentice or locate employment in a specialty area, like facilities maintenance, to gain experience. You can make a resume that emphasizes your specific engineering or scientific training as well as any prior sporting experience. Apply for openings in related fields and start a career as a sports engineer.
4. Improve your skills and knowledge throughout your career
Sports engineering is a field that is constantly developing, with new technology, approaches, and developments every year. To stay current and competitive in your field, it’s crucial to make a commitment to continuous learning. To hone your abilities and knowledge in the field, think about enrolling in any courses on cutting-edge sports technologies, making a higher-level application, or working as an apprentice for a professional. If you began with an undergraduate degree, you can also pursue a higher degree, such as a masters or Ph D.
An introduction to sports engineering
FAQ
What do sports engineers do?
The use of engineering principles to address issues in sports is known as sports engineering. Examples of applications include creating sports facilities, designing sporting goods, assessing athlete performance, creating safety and performance standards, and creating coaching and training materials.
Where does a sports engineer work?
An advanced degree is one of the requirements for beginning a career in sports engineering. Bachelor’s degrees in sports engineering are not offered by engineering schools, but you can learn more about these fields by studying mechanical engineering, industrial design, bioengineering, or materials science.
Do sports teams need engineers?
The use of engineering principles to address issues in sports is known as sports engineering. Examples of applications include creating sports facilities, designing sporting goods, assessing athlete performance, creating safety and performance standards, and creating coaching and training materials.
