From Preventative Medicine to Rehabilitation: The Certified Kinesiologist

What is a Certified Kinesiologist? A short overview of what Kinesiology is, and how working with a Kinesiologist can benefit your health and fitness!

What is Kinesiology? Kinesiology (noun) refers to the study of human movement and its components (anatomical, physiological, biomechanical, neurological, neuromotor, psychological) in interaction with the environment. Simply put, it is defined as human kinetics or the scientific study of human movement. In order for universities to offer a Bachelor's in Kinesiology (B. Kin), their curriculum must include specific classes such as anatomy, biomechanics, (exercise) physiology, (sport) psychology, and sociology.

What is a Certified Kinesiologist? Kinesiologists (noun) are university-educated health professionals that apply movement and exercise science to:

• promote health and wellness

• prevent, manage, and rehabilitate injuries

• consult, assess, and educate

• restore function

• treat illness and chronic disease

• optimise human performance in diverse environments

Keep in mind that the title Kinesiologist is not a protected healthcare professional title, therefore the profession itself is not always overseen by a college or association meant to protect clientele. In Canada, the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance (CKA) is a national non-profit body that certifies Kinesiologists; qualified professionals are vetted and then governed province to province. These organisations manage the standards of practice, ethics and scope of practices for their practitioners. Some of the benefits of an affiliation with CKA and its provincial representatives include, but are not limited to:

• practice insurance

• networking with other Kinesiologists

• involvement in the community

• further education opportunities

In Manitoba, qualified professionals can register with the Manitoba Kinesiology Association (MKA) and may use the designation ‘Manitoba Certified Kinesiologist’.

Image from the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance “Where to Find Kinesiology”.

In summary, Certified Kinesiologist work with people of all ages and health statuses to help them achieve their health and wellness goals. Their work promotes the improvement of quality of life, often using interventions that include physical activity. Certified Kinesiologists use evidence-based movement as medicine. Provincial organisations govern the ethics and practice of Certified Kinesiologists in their area. Practitioners that hold affiliations with these organisations have the ability to take on clients privately and keep up to date with current evidence-based research. The organisation also helps to create an effective and cooperative health network.

What does a Certified Kinesiologist do? Certified Kinesiologists often work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals to develop multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary intervention, prevention and treatment plans. In essence, they work as part of a healthcare team to offer people a higher quality of care. A Certified Kinesiologist not only supports medical teams but are also involved in sport and high performance. They adapt to the changing demands of peoples’ needs. Some examples of what Certified Kinesiologists bring to a healthcare team include, but are not limited to:

• promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services

• neuromuscular and functional testing

• workplace ergonomics and health

• public health education and promotion

• coaching and fitness training

• clinical management and coordination

• research
  

In essence, Certified Kinesiologists are allied healthcare professionals that work with people of all health and fitness statuses to promote better function and quality of life. Each may have their own speciality—the thing that drives their work.

Why work with a Certified Kinesiologist? Certified Kinesiologists work with individuals of all ages, health statuses, as well as fitness levels and experiences. A few examples of what a Certified Kinesiologist helps to do include, but are not limited to:

• achieve health and fitness goals

• manage chronic pain

• manage the aging body

• prevent and manage health issues

• prevent and recover from injury

• return people to work after an injury

• excel at sports and performance

Simply put, whether working in preventative medicine or rehabilitation, Kinesiology can play an integral role as an allied health profession. A Certified Kinesiologist can help to guide you towards leading a healthier, more active lifestyle with better a quality of life.

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References

1. Canadian Kinesiology Alliance. (n.d.). When should I consult a Kin? Canadian Kinesiology Alliance. https://canadian-kinesiology-alliance.membogo.com/en/when-consult-kin

2. Canadian Kinesiology Alliance. (n.d.). Why choose an Affiliated Kin? Canadian Kinesiology Alliance. https://canadian-kinesiology-alliance.membogo.com/en/affiliated-kinesiologist

3. Canadian Kinesiology Alliance. (n.d.). Where to find Kinesiologists? Canadian Kinesiology Alliance. https://canadian-kinesiology-alliance.membogo.com/en/where-find-kinesiology

4. Canadian Kinesiology Alliance. (n.d.). Why are Kins important to your health? Canadian Kinesiology Alliance. https://canadian-kinesiology-alliance.membogo.com/en/kinesiology-and-health

5. Canadian Kinesiology Alliance. (n.d.). MKA. Canadian Kinesiology Alliance. https://www.cka.ca/en/mka