This is a detailed guide on the best Kinesiology Programs, read to the end to know the best Kinesiology programs to enroll in.
Kinesiology is the scientific study of human body movement and how it affects our health and well-being.
This field of study has to do with the physiological, anatomical, biomechanical, pathological, and neuropsychological principles and mechanisms of movement.
However, Kinesiology as a field of study has been widely studied over the years, because it can be applied in multiple areas, such as Health (body and mind), Fitness, Sport, and Recreation.
However, if you want to know the best Kinesiology Programs to enroll in, read this article to gain more insight.
About Kinesiology
Kinesiology is the scientific study of human body movement and how it affects our health and well-being.
However, the main objectives of Kinesiology include relaxation, correcting the alignment and posture of the body, increasing joints mobility, increasing muscle strength, increasing muscular endurance, coordination, control, balance, exercise training, respiratory re-education, sensory re-education
However, as a Kinesiologist, you will work with people in various settings such as clinics, or in a studio.
Kinesiology experts use exercises, stretches, and weights to help patients recuperate or stay fit and avoid hurting themselves.
However, to become a successful Kinesiologist with the ability to form long-term relationships with your clients, you must acquire soft skills such as leadership and coaching.
These relationships and the ability to help people regain their selves are some of the most interesting aspects of a Kinesiology profession.
As a Kinesiologist, you need to be intentional about helping people and you need to be creative about it too.
You can incorporate art therapy classes (colors, music, dance), exercises, psychology, occupational therapy, recreation, and therapeutic activities when helping a patient to heal.
Also read: 15 Best Nurse Practitioner Programs
Best Kinesiology Programs
Below are the best Kinesiology programs to enroll in to become an expert in your area of concentration.
1. Exercise Science
Exercise Science is one of the best kinesiology programs to enroll in. As a Kinesiologist, you can enroll in Excercise science to become an exercise scientist.
Exercise scientists help people to increase their fitness, sporting performance, and general health.
Becoming an exercise scientist, you will use a combination of biomechanics, physiology, psychology, and performance analysis to assess a person’s individual needs and design a suitable training program.
However, graduates of the Exercise science programs can become sports coaches or teachers, and teach people how to stay fit, do physical exercises, and get more involved in sporting activities.
2. Kinesiology And Physical Therapy
Kinesiology and Physical Therapy is one of the best kinesiology programs you can enroll in to become either a Kinesiotherapist or physical therapist.
As a Kinesiotherapists, you will work with athletes of different ages and levels, constantly helping them recover from injuries and boost their physical abilities.
However, if you become a Physical therapist, you will support the health and mobility of patients of different ages, helping them recuperate from injuries, illnesses, and surgeries.
You will also help people boost their physical and mental health through massage, Reflexotherapy, therapeutic recovery, lymphatic drainage, and other methods.
3. Fitness And Nutrition Therapy
Fitness And Nutrition Therapy is one of the best kinesiology programs you can enroll in to become a fitness and nutrition therapist.
When you enroll in a fitness and nutrition therapy program, you will learn to stop allergies and combine supplements, vitamins, and sports to help patients keep a healthy mind and body.
Becoming a fitness and nutrition therapist, the treatment you will give to your patients will be based on nutrition which includes checking a person’s nutrition level and recommending the right foods to treat conditions such as those caused by diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
4. Coaching
The coaching program is one of the best kinesiology programs you can enroll in to become a coach.
This program is recommended to those who want to pursue coaching as a profession at various levels such as youth sports, middle school, and high school athletics, collegiate, and professional sports.
By enrolling in this program, you will gain knowledge and understanding of the growth and development of athletes.
The program also reveals to you the legal, psychological, social, biological, physical, theoretical, and technical parameters of coaching.
However, courses involved in this program include:
1. Conditioning
2. Physiological Basis of Conditioning or KIN 425K Physiology of Exercise
3. Sport Psychology (Spring)
4. Care & Prevention of Athletic Injuries
5. Fundamentals of Coaching or KIN 335C Motor Learning
6. Coaching Theory & Principles I (Summer, Fall) (Ethics and Leadership)
7. Coaching Theory & Principles II (Spring) (Independent Inquiry)
8. Coaching Theory & Principles I
5. Community Health and Wellness
Community Health And Wellness program is one of the best kinesiology programs you can enroll in to become a community health and wellness instructor.
This program is for those who want to pursue a career in public health, community health, government organizations, non-profit organizations, and worksite wellness programs.
By enrolling in this program, you will be exposed to courses that have to do with key public health topics and issues.
Furthermore, , you will gain practical skills and apply the experience you have gathered in a semester-long internship, which is selected to match your health interests and career goals.
However, this program is offered by the University of Texas at Austin, and the courses offered in this program include:
1. Psychological Aspects of Exercise (Spring)
2. Theories of Substance Abuse Prevention (Writing)
3. Psychosocial Issues in Adult Development & Health
4. Adolescent Health Risk Behavior
5. Psychosocial Issues in Women’s Health (Writing)
6. Strategic Health Communication (Fall)
7. Social Determinants of Health and Health Disparities (Cultural Diversity)
8. Human Sexuality
9. Healthyhorns
10. Mental Health Promotion
6. Disability Studies in Movement Science
This program is for those who are interested in pursuing a career working with students of different ages, who are down with a disability.
By enrolling in this program, you will take courses specific to the knowledge, practices, and services of people with disabilities.
You will also learn the science and studies behind motor development and motor learning, and you will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge you have gathered to programs that are created for people with disabilities.
7. Health Fitness Instructor
Health and Fitness Instructor program are one of the best kinesiology programs you can enroll in to become a health fitness instructor.
This program is designed for those who want to take up a career in personal and small group training.
This program will equip you for a career in fitness and for a variety of national certifications, and also you will participate in fieldwork and internships to have practical experience.
By taking this program, you will also be prepared to go on to graduate school, including medical, physical therapy, physician’s assistant, chiropractic, and other forms of allied health studies.
8. Medical Fitness and Rehabilitation
Medical Fitness and Rehabilitation program is one of the best kinesiology programs you can enroll in to become a fitness and rehabilitation therapist.
This program greatly benefits those who want to pursue a career in the medical field, such as cardiac rehabilitation or physical therapy.
By enrolling in this program, you will learn different methods of training and treatment through fieldwork and internship experiences.
This program will prepare you to work in a medical setting or pursue a graduate degree in physical/occupational therapy, or medical school.
9. Strength and Conditioning Coaching
This program is for those who have an interest in designing and implementing strength and conditioning programs.
By enrolling in this program, you will learn how to coach, train, and oversee exercise and weight training for different levels of fitness.
At the end of this program, you will be ready to participate in a graduate program in Exercise Physiology and become certified as a strength and conditioning specialist.
However, courses offered in this program include:
1. Sports Nutrition or 3 hours of approved Nutrition
2. Physiological Basis of Conditioning
3. Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries
4. Conditioning or PED 106C Weight Training
5. Advanced Weight Training
6. Theory & Practice in Strength Conditioning (Fall)