What Is Clinical Kinesiology?

Clinical kinesiology is an aspect of the medical field that deals with how humans’ body parts move. This area of practice offers opportunities to work with professional athletes, serve in physical education departments at schools, or even conduct industry research. People who work in clinical kinesiology essentially use physical science concepts to help people who are born with disorders or who suffer from accidents that hamper the ability of various limbs to be mobile. There is also aspects of the field that focus on research on the diseases and ailments that cause problems with movement.

The foundation of clinical kinesiology deals with addressing the musculoskeletal system’s muscles and bones. This body system also contains joints, tendons, ligaments, and other tissues that enable the body to not only move, but also to retain its form. A clinical kinesiologist has to know the names and functions of all of these body parts as well as how the brain works with the muscular system to help different limbs to move effectively.

This industry features professionals who focus specifically on athletics. For instance, clinical kinesiology experts study various types of sports-related injuries, such as muscle strain, in order to determine the best ways to help victims to recover from the damage that these problems cause. In addition, they concentrate on identifying exercise procedures and nutritional choices that positively affect a person’s musculoskeletal system.

Research into a wide range of diseases also makes up this field. For instance, people who work in clinical kinesiology in the medical area explore ways that people who have developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy can improve in their health. This particular disorder affects an individual’s ability to be coordinated due to weak motor skills and muscle tone. In addition, healthcare workers focus on how the central nervous system is impacted when a person grows older, as this system influences an individual’s capability to control his or her muscles.

To complete training that leads to work in this career area, a person should complete a four-year bachelor’s degree in clinical kinesiology with a focus on specialty areas such as athletic training or exercise science. Enrollment in this type of program requires completion of a potential school’s admission form as well as submission of recent standardized exam results and a high school transcript. A college applicant also needs to turn in his or her high school diploma or the equivalent certification. The individual must complete a two-year master’s degree or four- to five-year doctoral degree if he or she wishes to teach or perform research at the university level as well.