What is Kinesiology in Canada?

Summary:

• Essentially, Kinesiology is the study of human movement or exercise. Kinesiologists use exercise to rehab, strengthen, treat, or prevent disease. Exercise and it’s ability to do the above has been one of the many breakthroughs in recent times. It has always been known that exercise is “good” for you, but now exercise has moved forward and demonstrated its amazing effects on the body. It started as Physical Education and research in this area grew so much that the study of exercise is now a four-year university bachelors degree, with opportunities to get your masters and PhD in exercise science. To me that’s crazy! To think that back then we used to take exercise advice from infomercials and now it is a university degree, is incredible. The world’s first two kinesiology programs started here in Canada over 40 years ago and since then kinesiology programs have outnumbered Physical Education programs by more than 2-to-1, with another 20% of the programs adopting a shared designation. Even with all its development, including it becoming a regulated health profession in Ontario, the public still doesn’t know what a Kinesiologist is. I hope this post and blog can help clarify things going forward.

Kinesiology is the scientific study of human movement, performance, and function, and incorporates the sciences of biomechanics, anatomy, physiology, psychology and neuroscience. Kinesiologists work to treat and prevent injury and disease, as well as improve function, health, and wellness of people in all settings and populations.

Kinesiologists use evidence-based research to develop programs for people, helping them get and stay fit, and perform at their optimum level. Kinesiologists believe in empowering people to look after their own health. They focus on prevention and wellbeing, increasing worker productivity and reducing time lost to injuries and accidents, helping you get back to work and back to health faster.

As experts in the science of human movement, Kinesiologists are recognized as an authority and a preferred provider of practical, applied and effective solutions for the prevention and management of injury, disability and chronic disease, and the improvement of overall health and performance.

Kinesiology is Prevention

• Kinesiologists are leaders in the prevention of injury and chronic disease. The Public Health Agency of Canada found that “Physical activity has been shown to reduce the risk of over 25 chronic conditions.” Those include coronary heart disease, diabetes, certain types of cancer, high blood pressure, strokes, Alzheimer’s disease, and certain mental health conditions.

Kinesiology is Management

• Kinesiologists use exercise in the management of injury and chronic disease. Kinesiologists are case managers who empower and assist injured and affirmed clients to help manage and improve their own health and return to normal lives. From heart events to diabetes, Kinesiologists can help manage some of the most serious chronic conditions Ontarians suffer. Kinesiologists also have the expertise needed to prevent and manage musculoskeletal disorders, which in past years have accounted for more than 40% of lost-time injuries in Ontario.

Kinesiology is Performance

• Kinesiologists are devoted to improving performance, health, and overall quality of life. Nearly every Canadian can improve their performance, function, and well-being across mental and physical parameters, through improved movement and exercise. Kinesiologists work with people of all ages and every level of function and physical ability to assess, track, manage, and achieve a broad range of personal health goals. 

Conclusion:

I personally am excited to see the growth of this profession in the next 5–10 years. Yes, Kinesiology is a very overlapping and broad subject but this allows for a lot of interpretation and exploration within the scope of Kinesiology.

I know there is a lot of information there to read but it pretty much points out all the intricacies of this new profession. So now you have all this information about kinesiology, what do you think? Was it what you expected? Did I miss anything? What cool things did you find out? Do you now hate the word Kinesiologist because of all the times you had to say it in your head? 

Hopefully this helps,

Spencer at Kinformation

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