17 Sports Therapist Interview Questions and Answers

Sports therapists are healthcare professionals who work with athletes to prevent and treat injuries, improve performance, and recover from training and competitions. As a sports therapist, you’ll need to have a deep understanding of how the human body works and be able to effectively communicate with athletes, coaches, and other members of a sports team.

You’ll also need to be able to answer sports therapist interview questions in a way that demonstrates your knowledge and passion for the field. In this guide, we’ll give you some tips on how to prepare for your interview as well as some sample sports therapist interview questions and answers.

Are you certified as a sports therapist?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have the necessary qualifications for the job. If you are not certified, they might want to know what steps you plan on taking to become certified. You can answer honestly about your certification status and explain how you plan on becoming a sports therapist in the future.

Example: “I am not yet certified as a sports therapist. I do plan on getting my certification within the next year, however. I’ve been working toward this goal by taking online courses through the National Athletic Therapist Association. Once I complete these courses, I will be eligible to take the exam.”

What are the most common injuries you treat as a sports therapist?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience and knowledge of the field. They may also want to know how you handle these common injuries, so they might ask about a specific example or two.

Example: “The most common injuries I treat as a sports therapist are sprains and strains. These injuries occur when muscles or tendons tear or stretch too far. Sprains usually happen when someone twists an ankle or knee, while strains often result from overuse or improper use. In my last role, I treated several athletes with both types of injury. For each case, I used cold therapy, compression and stretching exercises to reduce swelling and promote healing.”

How would you treat an athlete who has a pulled hamstring?

This question can help interviewers understand your treatment methods and how you apply them to athletes. You can answer this question by describing the steps you would take when treating a pulled hamstring, including what equipment you might use during the process.

Example: “I would first perform an assessment of the athlete’s injury to determine the severity of their condition. I would then explain my diagnosis to the athlete so they know what to expect from the treatment process. Next, I would begin stretching exercises for the injured area to loosen up the muscle tissue. After that, I would move on to massage therapy to reduce swelling in the area. Finally, I would teach the athlete proper rehabilitation techniques to continue strengthening their leg muscles.”

What is the most rewarding aspect of being a sports therapist?

This question can help interviewers understand what motivates you and how you feel about your work. They may also want to know if you enjoy the same aspects of this job that they do, which could make it easier for you to fit in with their team. When answering this question, think about what parts of your current job are most enjoyable. Try to focus on specific examples or anecdotes from your experience.

Example: “The most rewarding part of my job is when I see a patient who has been struggling with an injury finally get back out onto the field. It’s so exciting to watch them overcome their pain and return to their sport. Seeing patients achieve their goals is always very motivating.”

Provide an example of how you might help an athlete who is struggling with mental health issues.

Mental health is an important part of overall wellness, and sports therapists often work with athletes who are struggling to cope with anxiety or depression. Interviewers want to know that you have the skills necessary to help their clients overcome mental health issues and return to peak performance.

Example: “I once worked with a basketball player who was experiencing severe anxiety before games. He would get so nervous that he couldn’t sleep the night before games, which made him perform poorly on the court. I helped him develop strategies for coping with his anxiety, including deep breathing exercises and positive self-talk. After several weeks of practice, he was able to reduce his anxiety enough to play well during games.”

If an athlete is not improving as quickly as you would like, how would you handle the situation?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenges and make decisions. It is important to show that you are willing to take responsibility for your actions, even if they do not have the desired outcome.

Example: “I would first try to find out what factors may be contributing to their lack of improvement. I would then discuss my concerns with the athlete and their family so we could all work together to come up with a solution. If it was something I could fix on my own, I would adjust my treatment plan accordingly. If there were other factors involved, such as an injury or illness, I would refer them to another specialist.”

What would you do if an athlete was not following your advice on how to treat an injury?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenges and make decisions. Your answer should show that you are willing to have difficult conversations with athletes about their treatment plans. You can also include a specific example of when you had this conversation in the past.

Example: “I would first try to speak with them one-on-one to see if I could get more information on why they were not following my advice. If they still did not want to follow my advice, I would then talk to their coach or athletic trainer to see what we could do to ensure the athlete was getting proper care. In my experience, most athletes respect the expertise of sports therapists and will listen to our advice.”

How well do you communicate with athletes who have limited English proficiency?

Sports therapists often work with athletes who speak limited English. Employers ask this question to make sure you can communicate effectively with these patients and help them understand your instructions. In your answer, explain that you have experience working with non-English speakers in the past. Explain that you use visual aids like posters or diagrams to help these patients understand what you’re saying.

Example: “I’ve worked with many non-English speaking athletes in my previous role as a sports therapist. I find it helpful to use visuals when communicating with these patients. For example, if I’m explaining how they should stretch their muscles, I’ll show them pictures of stretches on a whiteboard or flip chart. This helps me get my message across even if they don’t speak much English.”

Do you have any experience working with children?

Sports therapists often work with children, so employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with kids. If you don’t have any experience working with children, explain what kind of experience you do have working with patients who are young or inexperienced.

Example: “I’ve worked with a lot of adults in my career as a sports therapist, but I also volunteered at the local children’s hospital for two years. There, I helped kids learn how to walk again after they had broken their legs. It was rewarding to see them get better and return to playing sports.”

When working with a team, do you prefer to have specific roles or do you prefer to be more general?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prefer to work with a team and whether your role would fit well within their organization. It can also show them what kind of experience you have working in a team setting. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any specific roles you’ve had on teams or if you’ve worked mostly independently as a sports therapist.

Example: “I find that I am most comfortable when I have clearly defined roles. In my previous position, I was the only therapist for the entire team, so I preferred to take on all roles myself. However, I do enjoy collaborating with other therapists and helping them develop their skills.”

We want to improve our injury prevention programs. Describe the steps you would take to assess our current program and make recommendations for improvement.

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with a team. Your answer should include steps you would take to assess the current injury prevention program, make recommendations for improvement and implement those changes.

Example: “I would first meet with the athletic director or head coach to learn more about their goals for the injury prevention program. I would then speak with the sports medicine physician who oversees the current injury prevention program to understand what they’re already doing. Next, I would observe the current injury prevention program in action to see how it’s implemented. Finally, I would review the data from the current injury prevention program to identify areas that could be improved.”

Describe your process for evaluating an athlete’s nutrition and making recommendations for improvement.

Sports therapists often work with athletes to improve their performance through nutrition. Interviewers may ask this question to understand how you approach a task like this and whether your process is effective. In your answer, describe the steps you take when working with an athlete on their nutrition. Explain that you will also explain why each step is important for improving nutrition.

Example: “I start by asking the athlete what they eat in a typical day. I then ask them about any dietary restrictions or preferences they have. From there, I look at their current diet and make recommendations based on my knowledge of sports nutrition. For example, if they are not getting enough protein, I might recommend adding more lean meats to their diet. If they are eating too much sugar, I might suggest replacing some of their snacks with healthier options.”

What makes you stand out from other sports therapists?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your skills and experience as a sports therapist. They want to know what makes you unique from other candidates, so it’s important to highlight any special talents or experiences that make you stand out. You can answer this question by describing a skill or talent that you have that is relevant to the position.

Example: “I think one of my biggest strengths as a sports therapist is my communication skills. I am always able to clearly explain treatment plans to athletes and their parents, which helps build trust with everyone involved. Another strength of mine is my ability to remain calm under pressure. When an athlete gets injured during a game, I’m usually the first person they see. I’ve developed techniques for remaining calm in these situations, which allows me to focus on treating the injury.”

Which sports have you worked with most extensively?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn about your experience and expertise. They want to know if you have worked with the sport they are hiring for, but also whether you can adapt to new sports. In your answer, explain which sports you have worked with most extensively and why you chose them. If you haven’t worked with a particular sport before, explain what makes you interested in it.

Example: “I’ve worked mostly with football players, although I do have some experience working with baseball players as well. I chose these sports because of my love for both, and I find that many athletes who play one also play the other. I enjoy working with football players specifically because I feel like I understand their needs better than those of other athletes.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of physical therapy?

This question can help interviewers understand your priorities and how you might approach a patient’s treatment. Your answer should show that you value the importance of physical therapy, but it can also give insight into what you find most interesting about this career path.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of physical therapy is helping patients recover from injury or illness. I love seeing people get back to their normal lives after being sidelined by an injury because it makes me feel like I’ve made a difference in someone’s life. It’s rewarding to see my patients return to their favorite activities and be able to enjoy them again.”

How often should an athlete see a sports therapist?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn about your experience with treating athletes and how often you recommend they see a therapist. When answering, consider the needs of the athlete and what their goals are. You can also mention any policies or procedures that guide when an athlete should visit a sports therapist.

Example: “I usually recommend seeing a sports therapist once every two weeks during the season and once per month in the offseason. This allows me to monitor the athlete’s progress and make sure they’re healing properly. I also like to meet with them before big games so we can discuss strategies for staying healthy throughout the season.”

There is a conflict between two team members. How would you handle it?

Sports therapists often work with athletes of all ages and experience levels. They may also work with coaches, parents and other team members. Interviewers want to know that you can handle conflict in a professional manner while maintaining the trust of everyone involved. In your answer, explain how you would identify the problem, talk to each person involved and find a solution that works for everyone.

Example: “I have worked with many teams over the years, so I’ve seen my fair share of conflicts between teammates. When I see two players arguing on the field or during practice, I will ask them to meet me off-field where we can speak privately. I’ll listen to both sides of the story and try to understand why they feel the way they do. Then, I’ll help them come up with a compromise that makes everyone happy.”