Kinesiology Careers and Concepts

Kinesiology Related Careers Overview

Introduction to Kinesiology Careers

• Focus on exploring various kinesiology-related careers throughout the semester.

• Acknowledge that students come into the field with varying levels of knowledge regarding career options.

• Emphasizes the interrelatedness of different career paths in kinesiology, likening them to a web.

Key Career Paths in Kinesiology

• Athletic Trainers: May work alongside physical therapists, sports performance specialists, coaches, athletes, and nutritionists.

• Biomechanics:

  • Definition: The study of structure, function, motion, and mechanical aspects of biological systems in the human body.

  • Focus: Understanding how movement occurs, including joint angles, forces, and movement patterns.

  • Applications:

  • Minimizing risk of injury by analyzing optimal joint angles and movement mechanics.

  • Development of machinery and exercise equipment based on biomechanical principles.

• Motor Learning and Control:

  • Definition: Acquisition of skills and purposeful movement initiation.

  • Example: A child learning to walk and run illustrates motor learning.

  • Focus: Break down specific movements, understanding similarities and differences in handling objects (e.g., racked vs. frisbee).

  • Applications:

  • Rehabilitation therapy for patients relearning movements post-injury or surgery, such as after being in a cast.

• Physical Activity Epidemiology:

  • Definition: A branch of medicine focused on analyzing data regarding physical activity and disease.

  • Focus: Tracking incidence and distribution of physical activity trends, particularly related to disease risk (e.g., heart incidents in sedentary populations).

  • Applications:

  • Informing public health policies aimed at promoting physical activity to prevent diseases.

• Exercise Physiology:

  • Definition: The study of how the body adapts to exercise and environmental changes.

  • Focus: Understanding immediate and chronic adaptations of the body to physical activity, including respiratory and cardiovascular responses.

  • Applications:

  • Use in cardiac rehabilitation to monitor and prescribe activity levels post-cardiac events. L

• Exercise Psychology:

  • Definition: The study of human behavior related to physical activity.

  • Focus: Motivating individuals, goal setting, and overcoming barriers to exercise.

  • Applications:

  • Assisting athletes to manage stress and avoid burnout, improving their engagement with their sport.

• Research in Kinesiology:

  • Importance of research in guiding practice across all kinesiology disciplines.

  • Definition of Evidence-Based Practice: Utilizing research to determine effective interventions and support best practices.

  • Example: A physical therapist determining timelines for rehabilitative exercises for knee replacement patients based on evidence.

• Health and Wellness:

  • Definition: Focus on educating individuals about maintaining a balanced, healthy lifestyle encompassing physical, mental, and emotional health.

  • Focus areas: Mental health, physical activity, and sociocultural factors impacting wellness.

• Teaching:

  • Definition: Educating individuals across different ages and environments (schools, communities, etc.).

  • Common roles: Physical education teachers, teaching future educators.

• Coaching:

  • Overview: Specialization in teaching techniques and motivating athletes.

  • Importance: Recognizing and correcting improper skills, utilizing research to enhance performance and prevent injuries.

• Therapeutic Exercises:

  • Definition: Prescribing movements to correct dysfunction and restore functional abilities.

  • Applications: Utilized by physical therapists for rehabilitation of injuries and post-illness recovery.

• Sports Medicine:

  • Definition: Focuses on prevention, recognition, and treatment of sport-related injuries.

  • Typical roles include athletic trainers and sports medicine physicians.

  • Focus on immediate injury management and preventive strategies for long-term health issues.

• Sports Nutrition:

  • Overview: Professionals guiding individuals on nutrition for optimal performance. Includes dietitians and nutritionists.

  • Applications: Fueling different types of athletes (e.g., gymnasts vs football players) with specific nutrient and hydration needs.

  • Importance: Supporting recovery and improving body composition for peak athletic performance.

Conclusion

• Emphasizes the importance of understanding various kinesiology careers and their interrelatedness.

• Highlights how knowledge of these concepts impacts student care and research use in the field.

• Continuous focus throughout the course on applying this knowledge within kinesiology-related contexts.