Chapter 1 Notes: Introduction to Kinesiology

Defining the Field

  • Kinesiology is the study of intentional, goal-directed physical activity and its impact on health, society, and quality of life — integrating body, mind, and spirit.
  • This definition emphasizes that physical activity is purposive and has broader implications for health, social outcomes, and personal well-being.

Knowledge & Foundations

  • The discipline draws on three primary sources of knowledge:
    • Personal experience
    • Scholarly study
    • Professional practice
  • Subfields that shape kinesiology's core include:
    • Biomechanics
    • Exercise physiology
    • Motor learning
    • Sport psychology
  • The combination of these perspectives builds the foundation of kinesiology and guides curricula and research.
  • Three sources of knowledge are foundational to how kinesiology knowledge is generated and applied: $3$ sources of knowledge.

Relevance & Opportunities

  • Kinesiology has strong ties to:
    • Health professions
    • Recreation
    • Education
  • It is represented by SHAPE America (Society of Health and Physical Educators) in the United States.
  • Kinesiology prepares students for diverse careers and responds to society’s growing recognition of the value of physical activity.

Chapter Outline & Key Points

Interest in the Discipline of Kinesiology

  • Kinesiology is a discipline focused on human physical activity.
  • Student interest is rising due to expanding career opportunities and the growing recognition of physical activity's importance.

Physical Activity: The Focus of Kinesiology

  • Three sources of knowledge: $3$ sources of knowledge (experience, scholarly study, professional practice).
  • Subdisciplines include biomechanics, motor learning, exercise physiology, etc.
  • Key idea: Knowledge included in curricula and research forms the foundation of kinesiology.

What is Physical Activity?

  • Defined as intentional, voluntary movement toward an identifiable goal.
  • Physical activity is not the same as random movement.
  • Key: Movement must be purposeful to be considered physical activity.

What is Kinesiology?

  • The American Kinesiology Association defines kinesiology as the study of physical activity and its impact on health, society, and quality of life.
  • It is unique in its scientific and systematic focus on physical activity.
  • Forms of physical activity studied in kinesiology include: dance, exercise (training, health-related, cosmetic), fundamental movements, sport, therapy.
  • Key: Kinesiology embraces diverse forms of human movement.

Kinesiology and Your Career

  • Undergraduate programs prepare students for varied careers.
  • Graduate work is often required for advanced career paths.

Why Kinesiology?

  • Historical note: The term “physical education” was an earlier term, now often limited to teacher preparation.
  • There can be confusion with terms like applied kinesiology, clinical kinesiology, or behavioral kinesiology.

Allied Fields

  • Kinesiology links to health professions, recreation, and dance.
  • Professional association: SHAPE America.

Holistic Nature of Kinesiology

  • Humans are holistic beings—mind, body, and spirit are interconnected.
  • Key: Kinesiology must account for cognition, emotion, and soul in addition to the body.

Review Questions

  1. What is the difference between movement and physical activity? Give an example of an instance in which human movement does not meet the technical definition of physical activity.
  2. What is meant when kinesiology is described as a holistic discipline?
  3. What forms or categories of physical activity are studied in kinesiology? Which receive the most attention, and how do they relate to each other?
  4. What are the three sources of knowledge of kinesiology?
  5. Can you think of examples of where kinesiology knowledge has improved performance or reduced rates of injury in vigorous physical activities?

Answers to Review Questions

  1. Movement is essential for physical activity to take place, but movement itself is not physical activity. For example, blinking your eyes and breathing are not consciously controlled; nervously drumming your fingers on a table is not aimed at a specific goal. Therefore, these do not meet the technical definition of physical activity.
  2. Kinesiology as a study of physical activity is holistic because it affects not just the body but the mind, emotions, and values of performers. Holistic kinesiology also includes the study of the history and philosophy of exercise and sport.
  3. General categories of physical activity include dance, exercise, fundamental movements, sport, and therapy. Subcategories of exercise are training, health-related, and cosmetic. Exercise, sport, and fundamental movements get the most attention: sport requires competency in multiple fundamental movements, as well as training to improve performance.
  4. The three sources of knowledge:
  • Physical activity experience = direct personal experience watching or performing physical activity
  • Scholarly study = research, reading, studying, discussing theories or practical applications with colleagues
  • Professional practice = work or volunteer activities where one applies physical activity concepts
  1. Example: Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, featured in the Kinesiology Colleagues sidebar, who has conducted work on sport-related concussions (watch a $17$-minute YouTube TEDx Talk).