Internship experiences in exercise and sports science: A comprehensive analysis of learning outcomes and professional development

This study investigated the educational outcomes and professional development of undergraduate exercise and sports science students through curricular internships. Analysis of data from 1,247 internships conducted between 2015-2020 at a large Italian university across diverse settings (fitness facilities, rehabilitation clinics, educational institutions, and sport organisations) revealed significant improvements in students' practical competencies, theoretical knowledge application, and professional identity development. Quantitative analysis demonstrated statistically significant increases in competency scores across all placement settings (p<0.001), with exercise post rehabilitation contexts showing the highest improvement in clinical reasoning (Cohen's d=0.89). Qualitative analysis identified four key themes influencing internship effectiveness: mentorship quality, alignment between academic preparation and practical demands, reflective practice opportunities, and professional networking. The tripartite relationship between students, university tutors, and industry supervisors emerged as central to internship effectiveness, particularly when characterised by regular structured communication and shared learning objectives. These findings suggest that structured internships with integrated reflection and assessment constitute a crucial transition phase in professional development, bridging theoretical knowledge and applied practice. Recommendations include standardised competency frameworks, mentor training programmes, and technology-enhanced collaborative assessment to maximise the educational value of exercise science internships.