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kinesiology

 
Dictionary: ki·ne·si·ol·o·gy   (kə-nē'sē-ŏl'ə-jē, -zē-) pronunciation
n.
  1. The study of the anatomy, physiology, and mechanics of body movement, especially in humans.
  2. The application of the principles of kinesiology to the evaluation and treatment of muscular imbalance or derangement.

[Greek kīnēsis, movement; see kinesis + -LOGY.]

kinesiologist ki·ne'si·ol'o·gist n.

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Study of the mechanics and anatomy of human movement and their roles in promoting health and reducing disease. Kinesiology has direct applications to fitness and health, including developing exercise programs for people with and without disabilities, preserving the independence of older people, preventing disease due to trauma and neglect, and rehabilitating people after disease or injury. Kinesiologists also develop more accessible furniture and environments for people with limited movement and find ways to enhance individual and team efficiency. Kinesiology research encompasses the biochemistry of muscle contraction and tissue fluids, bone mineralization, responses to exercise, how physical skills are developed, work efficiency, and the anthropology of play.

For more information on kinesiology, visit Britannica.com.

Food and Fitness: kinesiology
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The study of the anatomical and mechanical basis of human movement. Kinesiology includes anatomy, mechanics, and physiology of muscles and skeleton. There is considerable overlap between the disciplines of kinesiology and biomechanics.

Dental Dictionary: kinesiology
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(kin-ē'sē-ol'ə-jē)
n

The study of human motion that attempts to explain the manner in which movements of the body occur. The principles of kinesiology may be used to describe the laws of articulation and the several theories of mandibular movement.

Dictionary of Dance: kinesiology
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The study of human movement, from the point of view of both mechanical action and anatomical structure.

Study of the art and science of human movement.

Veterinary Dictionary: kinesiology
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Scientific study of movement of body parts.

Wikipedia: Kinesiology
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Kinesiology, derived from the Greek words kinesis (movement) and kinein (to move), also known as human kinetics, is the science of human movement. It is a discipline that focuses on Physical Activity.[1] A kinesiological approach applies scientific based medical principles towards the analysis, preservation and enhancement of human movement in all settings and populations.[2] Kinesiologists work in research, the fitness industry, clinically, and in industrial environments.[3] Studies on human motion may be supported by computer vision, using stereo camera systems for pose recognition and motion modeling.[4][5] It is not to be confused with applied kinesiology, a controversial[6][7][8] alternative medicine technique related to chiropractic techniques.

Contents

Basics

The definition of physical activity is a highly debated topic. Not all individuals who are associated within the field of kinesiology agree on the technical definition of physical activity.[1] In North America, kinesiologists are conferred a Bachelor of Science degree (or higher) in Kinesiology or Human Kinetics, while in Australia or New Zealand, they are often conferred an Applied Science (Human Movement) degree (or higher). Kinesiologists assess human movement, performance, and function by applying the sciences of biomechanics, anatomy, physiology, and motor learning. Kinesiologists are involved in the rehabilitation, prevention, and management of disorders to maintain, rehabilitate, or enhance movement, function or performance in the areas of sport, recreation, work, and exercise. Kinesiologists also provide consulting services, conduct research, and develop policies related to rehabilitation, human motor performance, ergonomics, and occupational health and safety. The bodily motion utilized from physical motion sets the rhythm for the organs in the body.

Physical activity

There is a large debate centering around the technical definition of physical activity. These debates range from whether or not an action is voluntary or involuntary, purposeful in direction within a specific activity, as well as the difference between movement and physical activity.[1] One way to think about the relationship between movement and physical activity is this: Movement is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for physical activity. If you are performing a physical activity, you are using movement; but not every movement is a physical activity. i.e. blinking an eye, swallowing, contraction of diaphragm.[1] One definition of physical activity is as follows: Voluntary movement intentionally performed in order to achieve a goal in sport, exercise, or any other sphere of life experience. In relation to this definition of physical activity, one definition of movement is as follows: Includes any change in the position of your body parts relative to each other.[1]

Scope of practice

The practice of Kinesiology is the assessment of movement, performance, and function; and the rehabilitation, prevention, and management of disorders to maintain, rehabilitate, and enhance movement, performance, and function in the areas of sport, recreation, work, exercise, and general activities of daily living.[9]

Licensing, regulations

Kinesiology was made a regulated health profession in the province of Ontario in the summer of 2007 [10] and similar proposals have been made for other Canadian provinces. In the United States, the American Kinesiology Association is the national kinesiology organization of university departments providing professional information about kinesiology degree programs.[11]

Health services

  • Health Promotion: Kinesiologists working in the health promotion industry focus on working with individuals to enhance the health, fitness, and well-being of the individual. Kinesiologists can be found working in fitness facilities, personal training/corporate wellness facilities, and industry.
  • Clinical/Rehabilitation: Kinesiologists work with individuals with disabling conditions to assist in regaining their optimal physical function. They work with individuals in their home, fitness facilities, rehabilitation clinics, and at the worksite. They also work alongside physiotherapists.
  • Ergonomics: Kinesiologists work in industry to assess suitability of design of workstations and provide suggestions for modifications and assistive devices.
  • Health and Safety: Kinesiologists are involved in consulting with industry to identify hazards and provide recommendations and solutions to optimize the health and safety of workers.
  • Disability Management/Case Coordination: Kinesiologists recommend and provide a plan of action to return an injured individual to their optimal function in all aspects of life.
  • Management/Research/Administration/Health and Safety: Kinesiologists frequently fulfill roles in all above areas, perform research, and manage businesses.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Hoffman, S. J. (2008). Shirl J. Hoffman. ed (in English). Introduction to Kinesiology (3 ed.). Human Kinetics. ISBN 0736076131, 9780736076135. http://books.google.com/books?id=cBPOgAlarKcC&printsec=frontcover&ei=-D5VSvvzCpTklASShfGrBw. 
  2. ^ "Welcome to the Ontario Kinesiology Association". Oka.on.ca. http://oka.on.ca/. Retrieved 2009-07-25. 
  3. ^ "CKA - Canadian Kinesiology Alliance - Alliance Canadienne de Kinésiologie". Cka.ca. http://www.cka.ca/kinesiology.php. Retrieved 2009-07-25. 
  4. ^ Bodo Rosenhahn, Reinhard Klette and Dimitris Metaxas (eds.). Human Motion - Understanding, Modelling, Capture and Animation. Volume 36 in `Computational Imaging and Vision', Springer, Dordrecht, 2007
  5. ^ Ahmed Elgammal, Bodo Rosenhahn, and Reinhard Klette (eds.) Human Motion - Understanding, Modelling, Capture and Animation. 2nd Workshop, in conjunction with ICCV 2007, Rio de Janeiro, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, LNCS 4814, Springer, Berlin, 2007
  6. ^ Carroll, Robert Todd "These are empirical claims and have been tested and shown to be false". "Applied Kinesiology". The Skeptics Dictionary. http://skepdic.com/akinesiology.html. Retrieved 2007-07-26. 
  7. ^ Atwood KC (2004). "Naturopathy, pseudoscience, and medicine: myths and fallacies vs truth". MedGenMed 6 (1): 33. PMID 15208545. PMC 1140750. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/471156. 
  8. ^ Haas, Mitchell; Robert Cooperstein, and David Peterson (2007-08). "Disentangling manual muscle testing and Applied Kinesiology: critique and reinterpretation of a literature review". Chiropractic & Osteopathy 15: 11. doi:10.1186/1746-1340-15-11 (inactive 2008-09-10). PMID doi:[http://dx.doi.org/10.1186%2F1746-1340-15-11 10.1186/1746-1340-15-11 17716373 doi:10.1186/1746-1340-15-11]. http://www.chiroandosteo.com/content/15/1/11. Retrieved 2007-11-30. |url=http://www.chiroandosteo.com/content/15/1/11|format=|accessdate=2007-11-30|doi_brokendate=2008-09-10 }}
  9. ^ "Welcome to the Ontario Kinesiology Association". Oka.on.ca. http://www.oka.on.ca. Retrieved 2009-07-25. 
  10. ^ "Kinesiology Act, 2007, S.O. 2007, c. 10 , Sched. O". E-laws.gov.on.ca. 2007-06-04. http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_07k10_e.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-25. 
  11. ^ "American Kinesiology Association". Americankinesiology.org. 2001-01-06. http://www.americankinesiology.org/. Retrieved 2009-07-25. 
  12. ^ "CKA - Canadian Kinesiology Alliance - Alliance Canadienne de Kinésiologie". Cka.ca. http://www.cka.ca/kinesiology_kinesiologistservices.php. Retrieved 2009-07-25. 

External links


 
 

 

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Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.  Read more
Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. Britannica Concise Encyclopedia. © 2006 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Food and Fitness. Food and Fitness: A Dictionary of Diet and Exercise. Copyright © 1997, 2003 by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.  Read more
Dental Dictionary. Mosby's Dental Dictionary. Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Dictionary of Dance. The Oxford Dictionary of Dance. Copyright © 2000, 2004 by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.  Read more
Sports Science and Medicine. The Oxford Dictionary of Sports Science & Medicine. Copyright © Michael Kent 1998, 2006, 2007. All rights reserved.  Read more
Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Kinesiology" Read more