What is Kinesiology?

Kinesiology is the study of human movement and within the field, individuals learn how these movement mechanisms affect the body and how exercise can improve the overall human health condition. Kinesiology students gain an understanding of the physiological, biomechanical and psychological elements related to human movement and how to apply that knowledge to improve health and wellness. The study of kinesiology and its subset, exercise science, is critical to providing healthcare practitioners with the knowledge to treat chronic conditions, injuries and more.

Defining Kinesiology: Understanding the Science of Human Movement & Physical Activity

Kinesiology is a branch of science that studies human movement and the mechanisms behind it. It delves into the anatomy, physiology and biomechanics of the human body, exploring how it moves, functions and responds to external stimuli. From athletes to everyday patients, kinesiology can be applied to enhance physical performance, prevent injuries and treat various health conditions. Through this field, public health initiatives are formed, everyday practical experiences are addressed and disease prevention is strengthened.

The Different Fields of Kinesiology

Kinesiology encompasses different professional disciplines, each with its own focus and application. These include:

Exercise Science/Physiology

This field studies the effects of physical activity on the body, from the cellular level to the systemic level. It examines how exercise impacts various body systems, such as the cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems. Additionally, exercise science professionals strive to help individuals reach optimal physical function.

Biomechanics

Biomechanics involves the study of how forces affect the human body and how it adapts to outside factors. It also examines the interaction between the body and the environment, such as how a runner’s gait is affected by the surface they run on or the angle of trajectory a pole vaulter needs to take to clear the bar.

Motor Learning

This field explores the brain’s role in controlling and coordinating movement. It looks into the neural pathways involved in movement, how they develop and how they can be disrupted in patients with movement disorders.

Sports Psychology

The discipline of sports psychology examines how mental and behavioral factors can impact sports performance. This section of kinesiology helps athletes and teams improve their mental training, goal-setting and behavioral responses, ultimately leading to enhanced on-field results.

Applications of Kinesiology

Kinesiology has several applications, ranging from sports medicine to physical therapy and occupational health. Some of the most notable include:

Athletic Training

Kinesiology plays a critical role in helping athletes optimize their performance and prevent injuries. By assessing an athlete’s biomechanics, trainers can identify areas of weakness and develop training programs that improve their overall performance.

Rehabilitation

Kinesiology is an essential component of physical therapy, helping patients recover from injuries and regain mobility. It involves designing exercises that target specific muscles and joints to improve their range of motion and strength.

Occupational Therapy

Kinesiology can also be applied in occupational therapy to help patients perform daily activities and tasks. By assessing their movement patterns and developing individualized treatment plans, therapists can help patients overcome physical challenges and improve their quality of life.

Why Is Kinesiology Important?

We’ve addressed what is kinesiology, but why is it important to the science and healthcare community? Kinesiology provides several real-world applications in everyday life. From sports performance to rehabilitation, kinesiology plays a crucial role in enhancing physical function and improving overall health and well-being. Here are some of the reasons why kinesiology is essential:

Teaching Effective Motor Skills

One of the primary objectives of kinesiology is to prepare physical educators, coaches and physical fitness professionals to educate on effective motor skills performance. By understanding the biomechanics of the human body, they can design exercises and activities that enhance physical performance and prevent injuries. Kinesiology also helps these professionals evaluate the effectiveness of exercises on how they affect the human body.

Understanding the Principle of Neuroplasticity

Another important aspect of kinesiology is the principle of neuroplasticity. This concept explains how movement and the brain are related and how exercise can improve overall brain function and the execution of fine motor skills. Students of kinesiology learn how increases in exercise can enhance the neural pathways involved in movement, leading to better motor control, coordination and mental well-being.

Improving the Performance of Daily Activities

Kinesiology is not only limited to improving the sports performance of healthy individuals. It also focuses on improving the performance of normal daily activities within the general populations that have suffered an impairment of function. For example, kinesiology can be used in occupational therapy for older adults who may have difficulties making their bed or preparing a meal. This form of applied kinesiology and adapted physical activity is critical to helping individuals regain their sense of independence.

Enhancing Rehabilitation and Recovery

Kinesiology plays a crucial role in rehabilitation and recovery from injuries or surgeries. By understanding the biomechanics of the human body, kinesiology professionals can design exercises that target specific muscles and joints to improve their range of motion and strength. Through these muscle actions and mechanical principles, patients can recover faster and regain their proper mobility and function.

Promoting Overall Health and Well-being

Finally, kinesiology promotes overall health and well-being by emphasizing the importance of physical activity in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. By understanding the benefits of exercise and movement, individuals can improve their physical and mental health and prevent chronic diseases. With the recommended physical activity for daily living, individuals can better their natural disease prevention and lessen the effects of negative physiological responses.

Kinesiology and Improving the Human Health Condition

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2021-2023:

• The prevalence of obesity was 40.3% among U.S. adults
• The prevalence was highest among adults aged 40–59
• The prevalence of extreme obesity is 9.4% among adults

Being overweight or obese increases your risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, joint problems and gallstones, among other conditions. In addition to diabetes and high blood pressure, obesity has a negative effect on cognition and motor behaviors.

The need for physical education is a growing problem across the world. From a public health standpoint, the population benefits from a healthier society. Achieving a healthy human condition requires both public and private agencies to encourage fitness leadership and ownership. Current and future medical professionals rely on the field of kinesiology to help discover new research findings, develop improved treatment approaches and provide different perspectives on human health services.

Kinesiology and the Aging Population

The US population is aging and by 2030 more than 20% of U.S. residents will be over the age of 65. In 2010, that number was 13%. An aging population means more age-related health issues.

Aging populations suffer from motor function declines such as balance and gait deficits, coordination issues and slowing movement. These declines can be attributed to dysfunctions in the nervous systems as well as the neuromuscular system.

For students of kinesiology, the growing population of adults over 65 presents increased opportunities within the field. A kinesiology degree will prepare you to work with aging populations to positively impact their motor function through therapeutic exercise, health education and more.

What To Do With a Kinesiology Degree

A degree in kinesiology is a great start to an in-depth knowledge of human function with a wide variety of career paths. Simply put, kinesiology is the study of human movement so this degree area is a perfect start to a wide career outlook. Graduates have countless job possibilities with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology that can be explored. Or they can opt to continue their education in specialized areas within the multifaceted field.

With a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, many graduates continue their education in the following career areas:

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a popular career choice for graduates. As a physical therapist, you will work with patients who have suffered an injury or illness that has affected their ability to move. You will use your knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics to design exercise and rehabilitation programs that help your patients regain their mobility and muscle strength. Physical therapists can work in a variety of clinical environments, such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private clinics and even in sports settings.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is another career path that is closely related to kinesiology. As an occupational therapist, you will work with patients who have suffered an injury or illness that has impacted their ability to perform daily activities like brushing their teeth. You will use your knowledge of human movement to design exercise and rehabilitation programs that help your patients regain their preferred quality of life. Occupational therapists can work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools and private clinics.

Corporate Wellness Program Administration

Corporate wellness program administration is a career path that is becoming increasingly popular. As a corporate wellness program administrator, you will work with companies to design and implement wellness programs that promote physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices among employees. You will use your knowledge of kinesiology to design exercise programs and to educate employees on the benefits of physical activity.

Prosthetics

Prosthetists are professionals who design and fit artificial limbs and other assistive devices for patients who have suffered an amputation or who were born without a limb. As a prosthetist, you will use your knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics to design prosthetic devices that are tailored to the needs of each patient. Prosthetists can work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers and private clinics.

Kinesiology Careers

Kinesiology degrees not only prepare students to address the obesity epidemic and the issues of our aging population but also equip them to handle a wide set of needs within the public health space. Some of those areas include:

Health Promotion

As a health promoter, you will work with individuals or communities to encourage healthy behaviors and promote physical activity. You can work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, clinics, community centers or government agencies.

Clinical/Rehabilitation

Clinical and rehabilitation careers focus on helping individuals recover from injuries or illnesses that affect their movement. This can include careers such as a physical therapist, occupational therapist or chiropractor.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the study of designing and arranging equipment and workspaces to maximize productivity and minimize the risk of injury. As an ergonomics specialist, you will apply your knowledge of human movement to design work environments that are safe and efficient.

Health & Safety (Management/Research/Administration)

Health and safety professionals work to prevent injuries and illnesses in the workplace. As a health and safety specialist, you will use your knowledge of human movement to design and implement safety protocols and ergonomic solutions.

Disability Management/Case Coordination

As a disability case coordinator, you will work with individuals who have suffered a disability to help them navigate the healthcare system and access the resources they need to regain their independence.

Health Education

Health educators work to promote healthy behaviors and lifestyle choices among individuals and communities. As a health educator, you will use your knowledge of human movement to design and implement educational programs that promote physical activity and healthy living within populations.

Personal Trainer

Personal trainers work with individuals to help them achieve their fitness goals. They design individualized exercise programs and provide guidance on nutrition and lifestyle choices. As a personal trainer, you will use your knowledge of kinesiology to assess your clients’ movement patterns and design exercise programs that meet their specific needs. With a degree in kinesiology, you will be well-equipped to help clients improve their overall health and fitness while minimizing the risk of injury. Personal trainers can work in a variety of settings such as gyms, health clubs or as independent contractors.

Athletic Training

Athletic trainers work with athletes to prevent and treat injuries. They use their knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics to design injury prevention programs and to provide rehabilitation for injured athletes.

Athletic Coaches and Scouts

Athletic coaches and scouts work with athletes to develop their skills and help them reach their full potential. They use their knowledge of human movement to design training programs and to identify athletes with the potential to succeed.

Physical Education Teacher

As a physical education teacher, you will teach students about the benefits of physical activity and promote healthy lifestyle choices. You will use your knowledge of human movement to design educational programs that meet the needs of students with a wide range of abilities.

Online Kinesiology Degrees at Concordia University

At Concordia University Chicago, we offer a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology and a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science with multiple concentrations, such as Human Movement Science. Our programs are 100% online with no campus visit required. Our tuition is affordable and guaranteed to not increase.

Interested in kinesiology? Read our article, “Q & A with Kinesiology Professor: Sean Pruitt.”

If you’re interested in learning more about our programs contact us.

Want to read more about our online bachelor’s in kinesiology? Visit our kinesiology degree program page.