Multi-functionality and occupations of sport and physical activity professionals in Spain

ABSTRACT

Research question: Increased attention to the multiple benefits attributed to sport and physical activity (SPA) in recent years has boosted the sport industry and related employment opportunities. SPA professionals are central in delivering the core services in this sector. This paper analyzes the key functions of Spanish SPA professionals in order to reveal the range of opportunities and to strengthen their position in a tapering labour market in Spain.

Research methods: Face-to-face interviews based on a standardized questionnaire were conducted with 2500 SPA professionals, who were active in 1797 sports facilities across the country. Functions and multi-functionality (MF) were analyzed based on city size, age, sex and type of organization.

Results and findings: The results show an extensive, diversified and multifunctional panorama of SPA functions in cities of all sizes. SPA functions shift with age, and women are underrepresented in the majority of these occupations. MF is significantly higher among men, older SPA professionals and in the for-profit sector (compared to public and non-profit sector).

Implications: The results assist professional and entrepreneurial training institutions to align their programs with the needs of the labour market, thereby enhancing the employability of their graduates, the level of professionalism as well as the working conditions in the SPA sector. Human resource processes can also be enhanced, improving the quality and efficiency of SPA services delivered in SPA organizations.

KEYWORDS:

• Career path
• human resources
• labor market
• mobility
• profession

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. The profession of “physical and sport readaptator/re-educator” should not be confused with physical and sport rehabilitator or physiotherapist. The latter is allowed to diagnose while the former cannot. Note that several names may refer to the same job or occupation. For example in Canada, a “physical and sport readaptator” is a professional kinesiologist, who “assesses and manages human movement and performance in order to maintain, rehabilitate or enhance movement and performance” (see: www.coko.ca). Here too, kinesiologist is a different occupation than physiotherapist; a kinesiologist can assist a physiotherapist. In the USA, “athletic trainer” is the common name used to refer the profession of “physical and sport readaptator”.

Additional information

Funding

The research is a part of the Fundamental Research Project I+D+i DEP2009–12828 which has been funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain.