How To Specialize In Sports Nutrition
As nutrition-conscious lifestyles have grown in popularity, sports organizations have embraced these concepts. College-level and professional sports organizations alike continue to push their players to adopt these lifestyles. Better nutrition and specialized diets produce various benefits for athletes, including better athletic performance. Of course, sports nutrition as a professional keeps gaining more and more recognition. Formal education and training are required to become a sports nutritionist.
In sports nutrition, the best professional sports nutritionists are trained specifically to tend to high-performance athletes. They have the necessary certifications, licenses, and nutritional education to practice their trade, and they’re often registered with appropriate nutritionist organizations. An individual cannot succeed in this field without a formal education and an in-depth understanding of sports nutrition concepts.
Typical job responsibilities for sports nutritionists often include the following:
- Developing food service initiatives that include nutrition-rich foods
- Providing nutrition counseling for athletes and other individuals
- Leading the education aspect nutrition for groups and wellness programs
- Facilitating professional development with a focus on nutrition
Education and Training for Sports Nutritionists
Typically, employers require potential sports nutritionists to hold a four-year undergraduate degree in an appropriate field of study. This can include nutrition, sports nutrition, exercise science, food science, kinesiology, and even dietetics. Clients and employers often value professionals that go above and beyond by acquiring graduate or postgraduate education or training. Likewise, earning opportunities increase for such professionals. Regulations and laws pertaining to sports nutritionists vary from state to state.
Certification and Licensing For Sports Nutritionists
Sports nutrition is not covered by federal regulations, which means that individual states handle certification and licensing standards. Currently, many states require that individual Boards of Nutrition provide sports nutritionists with applicable licenses or certifications. Nutritionists cannot practice their profession without these certifications and licenses. If a legal requirement doesn’t exist for these certifications, then most sports nutritionists still opt to acquire credentials from a recognized organization. The Commission of Dietetic Registration (CDR) provides credentials, which are widely recognized as marking professional competency.
Employment Statistics and Outlook for Sports Nutritionists
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 67,000 nutritionists and dietitians were employed in various capacities in 2014. That number should rise to over 80,000 workers by 2022 for a 23% increase in employment totals. With that in mind, top industries of employment for these professionals include:
- Surgical and Medical Hospitals
- Outpatient Care Centers
- Local Government Facilities
- Nursing Care Facilities
- Specialized Food Services
Since the job market continues to expand, sports nutritionists continue to find employment in settings that combine physical activity and nutrition concepts. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics indicates that common workplaces include the following:
- Colleges and Universities (Public and Private)
- Athletic Clubs and Sports Organizations
- Rehabilitation Centers
- Food Corporations
Salaries For Sports Nutritionists
The United States government indicated back in 2013 that nutritionists and dietitians specializing in sports nutrition receive an average annual wage of nearly $60,000. Their average hourly wage was $27.07 in that same year. Sports nutritionists’ salaries are based upon their formal education, past experience, particular industry, any specialized training, and location. With regards to location, nutritionists receive the highest salaries in the following states:
- California
- Connecticut
- Hawaii
- Maryland
- Nevada
A few examples of high-paying industries for these professionals include the following:
- Home Healthcare Services
- Grantmaking and Giving Services
- Federal Positions
- Office Administrative Services
- Insurance Carriers