Berufssportler/Berufssportlerin

Media related to this profession includes the Job Profile for High-Performance Sports Personnel, Football Training, High-Performance Sports (LSP), Online Study Guide for Sports Science, Sport-studieren.de - The Guide to Your Studies, and SpuRt - Journal for Sport and Law.

Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in sports are a significant trend. Digital transformation is changing sports, especially football, providing fans with personalized real-time information about a game. AI and Machine Learning will predict goal chances and identify suitable players for specific teams in the future. Digital technologies also help strengthen fan engagement: Those who have positive digital experiences attend more games in the stadium, use more live streams, and invest more in fan merchandise. Professionals in the sports sector will increasingly engage with the application possibilities and potentials of digital technologies.

Berufssportler (professional athletes) usually work in sports and gym halls or on sports fields, in training and fitness rooms. They may also work as commentators at sports events.

Core competencies generally required in this profession are high-performance sports and training. Other competencies that may be significant for practicing this profession include fitness training, conditioning training, and organizing and supervising sports events. Other relevant skills and knowledge include the 'Sports Types' competence group.

Berufssportler (professional athletes) use sports equipment such as racing bikes, balls, tennis, or golf equipment depending on their discipline; in equestrian sports, they work with horses. They wear training clothes or the prescribed sports attire during competitions. Depending on the sport, they train outdoors or indoors, for example, in sports or ice sports halls. During outdoor training or competitions, they are exposed to the weather. Professional athletes train (almost) daily for several hours but also observe necessary rest periods to regenerate after strenuous competitions or training sessions. Competitions take place at varying locations domestically and abroad, often on weekends or holidays. They usually work with coaches but may also create their own training plans. Team athletes work closely with their team, where individual performances affect the overall result.

Berufssportler (professional athletes) can become self-employed in some sports, for example, in individual sports like boxing or figure skating.

No definitive statements can be made regarding earning opportunities in this professional activity. Please check BERUFENET for current salary information.

They work in the sports, fitness, and wellness sectors, specifically in areas providing sports services such as sports federations, sports teams, and racing stables.

A specific educational path is not prescribed. Employers often expect a certain performance level in the respective sport.

Professional athletes find employment in sports clubs and federations or in racing stables.

Job title: Professional Athlete. Job title in English: Professional athlete (m/f). Job title in French: Sportif professionel/Sportive professionelle.

Professional athletes earn their living through sports activities.

Job and applicant exchanges: allgemeiner deutscher hochschulsportverband - adh, fussball-jobs.de, Joborama, leisurejobs, Sport Job, www.fitnessjobs.de.

Associations and organizations: Deutsche Vereinigung für Sportwissenschaft e.V. (DVS), ver.di - Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft.

Working conditions: Work outdoors (depending on the discipline) or in sports facilities. Exposure to various weather conditions such as cold, heat, wetness, humidity, drafts during outdoor training or competitions. Risk of accidents due to sports injuries or consequences of overtraining. Irregular working hours, as competitions often take place in the evenings, on weekends, or holidays. Working in front of customers and guests during competitions or championships. Group or teamwork in the case of team sports. Working while walking and standing.

Work items and equipment: Depending on the sport, equipment such as rackets, balls, javelins, sports and gymnastics equipment, fitness equipment. Documents such as appointment calendars, training plans, advertising and sponsorship contracts.

Tasks and activities: Professional athletes work purposefully towards participating in competitions in their respective discipline. They usually train daily. They plan and complete their training sessions mostly with the support of trainers. In competition or a game, they try to implement what they have worked on in training. They analyze their performance, identify areas for optimization, and adjust their training accordingly.

Continuing education (professional adaptation): Helps to keep professional knowledge current and adapt to new developments (e.g., in the fields of sports or sports management).

Depending on professional background, further career opportunities open up through an Ausbildung (vocational training) (e.g., as a sports assistant), an Aufstiegsweiterbildung (advanced vocational training) (e.g., as a sports specialist), or a grundständiges Studium (bachelor's degree) (e.g., in sports science). Under certain conditions, it is possible to study even without a general higher education entrance qualification. For more information: Access to higher education in the individual Bundesländer (federal states).

Complete training, prepare for and participate in competitions. Develop training sessions with coaches or independently. Depending on the sport, train endurance, strength, skill, and flexibility. Complete mental training. Develop competition strategies or game tactics. Participate in competitions. After competitions, analyze one's own performance, identify areas for improvement, and adjust training. Perform tasks in public relations and sponsorship. Fulfill advertising contracts, e.g., complete photo shoots, advertising recordings, and promotional appearances. Conduct public relations, e.g., give interviews, comment on sporting events, maintain a personal social media account.