Allameh Tabataba’i University Strategic Recommendations for  Administrative Bodies

Allameh Tabataba’i University Strategic Recommendations for Administrative Bodies

The Status of Exercise Physiology Graduates in National and Club Technical Staff: Opportunities and Threats

Author
Department of Sport Physiology, Allameh Tabataba'i University
Abstract
Exercise physiology, as one of the high-demand fields in sports sciences, produces a significant number of graduates annually; however, the absence of a coherent employment system has left a major portion of this human capital without a defined professional position in the job market. One of the attractive career opportunities for this group is joining the technical staff of national and club teams, particularly in the role of conditioning coach; nevertheless, their absorption into these positions remains limited. Investigations indicate that the primary barrier is the gap between graduates' theoretical knowledge and the practical skills expected by technical staffs, as curricula—even in recent versions—still fail to sufficiently emphasize practical training and skill enhancement. From the perspective of professional requirements, the ability to administer precise and practical tests, design training programs, monitor and control exercise intensity and recovery, communicate effectively with the head coach and other staff members, operate modern technologies such as GPS, and provide quantitative reports on athletes' performance are considered key competencies. Proposed strategies include establishing a specialized authority for recording career portfolios and issuing professional certifications, reforming curricula based on current needs, organizing joint skill-enhancement courses between universities and sports federations, prioritizing graduates in federational training courses, creating internship pathways within clubs, and establishing a combined theoretical-practical evaluation system to enhance employability.
Keywords