How to become A Kinesiologist

Kinesiology, the science of human movement, applies the latest evidence-based research to improve people’s function, health, and wellness in all settings and populations. Kinesiologists get one’s energy flowing in the right direction to remove any blockages that stand in the way of a healthy synergy between the body, mind, and soul.

• Kinesiotherapist
• Exercise Physiologist

What do Kinesiologists do?

A Kinesiologist would typically need to:

• Develop fitness and exercise programs that help injured or sick patients recover
• Analyze a patient’s medical history to assess probable risk during exercise and determine a customized training and fitness regimen
• Perform fitness and stress tests with medical equipment and analyze the resulting patient data; measure blood pressure, oxygen usage, heart rhythm, and other key health indicators
• Use muscle testing and physical therapy to evaluate and correct the state of various bodily functions in their patients
• Work to improve the overall health of patients while enhancing the key health indicators of those with specific medical issues such as cardiovascular disease
• Help clients become more self-reliant, enjoy leisure activities, and adapt to new ways of living, working, and thriving; encourage and support them emotionally as well
• Take all body systems into account when treating a patient, aiming to treat the whole patient, not just to correct a disorder; allow patients to work through any disability or conditions
• Work with a wide range of people, both individually and in groups; work with disabled children or adults, geriatric patients, psychiatric patients, the developmentally disabled, or amputees
• Monitor patients to ensure that their program produces the desired effects; help patients exercise by lifting them or moving their limbs when they are weak or have limited mobility
• Train patients and their families to use exercises, stretches, or therapy to manage pain, prevent injury, and increase mobility
• Work as members of medical teams that include primary care physicians, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, massage therapists, physical therapists, acupuncturists, and vocational counselors
• Write reports on the client’s progress, including the treatments and their results, providing useful information to other members of the medical team and researchers
• Study the effects of exercise on the body's functions to improve health and performance at work, in sports, or daily life
• Promote ergonomic equipment selection; suggest and demonstrate proper workplace body postures and muscle movements to prevent disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome

Kinesiologists work in various indoor and outdoor settings, including offices, laboratories, recreation facilities, hospitals, schools, and residential facilities. Indoors, they usually work under soft lights and in a peaceful, sometimes candle-lit environment, often fragrant with essential oils or mild incense, and with soft, relaxing orchestral music playing throughout the practice.

Kinesiologists may need to work with patients using equipment such as weights, pulleys, bikes, and rowing machines in swimming pools, whirlpools, saunas, or other therapeutic settings. They typically work on teams with other medical professionals and also with athletic trainers.

If you work in a hospital, you may need to wear a pair of scrubs. When medical scrubs are not necessary, you must still maintain a professional look by wearing clothes that allow flexibility of movement during a session. Opt for comfortable, sturdy, and stable footwear as you will spend considerable time on your feet, actively working on patients. Brown or black dress shoes are appropriate for private offices and business meetings.

Kinesiologists, employed in hospitals and clinics, usually work a typical 40-hour workweek, with some flexibility within the range of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Some may work evenings and weekends instead to accommodate their clients' schedules.

Given the long-term, rehabilitative nature of their work, most Kinesiologists have a fairly set schedule to follow, accommodating cancellations by clients or unanticipated situations. They do not generally need to be available for emergencies. Often, several recurring appointments with clients may be timetabled in advance as needed. They may also make house visits or visits to retirement homes.

Kinesiologists work full- or part-time or on a contractual basis. If they run their private practice, they may also have colleagues working with them, in which case, they schedule work in collaboration with each other to suit each one’s patients and facilitate sharing of facilities, such as rooms, tables, or equipment.

Kinesiologists are employed in both the public and private sectors. Job openings are often advertised on limited section portals and newspapers.

Kinesiologists are generally employed by:

• Retirement Homes
• Medical Centers for Veterans
• Disability Centers
• Athletic Companies
• Sporting Equipment Companies
• Rehabilitation Departments
• Occupational Health Departments
• Sport, Fitness & Recreation Centers
• Sports Organizations & Teams
• Hospitals & Primary Healthcare Facilities
• Schools, Colleges & Universities
• Spas, Resorts & Beauty Salons
• Health Clubs

Professional associations and organizations are a crucial resource for Kinesiologists interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more looks excellent on your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

Kinesiologists do not belong to unions. However, they may join local, regional, national, or even global associations such as the International Association of Specialized Kinesiologists (IASK) to receive information about careers, continuing education opportunities, and other resources. Certain professional bodies also accredit kinesiology education programs.

• Physically demanding work, with a proneness to injuries especially when lifting and moving patients; a strain on the back while bending over; pain in the thumbs caused by manual therapy such as massage
• Exhausting due to the need to work out with clients and often lift as much as 20 kg, and due to long working hours including early mornings, late evenings, and weekends(
• Emotionally stressful as you often care for patients who have suffered from a traumatic injury or debilitating illness
• Finding a way to balance your time and thoughts between your personal and professional lives
• Only a limited number of new jobs over the decade despite fast growth, as it is a small occupation

Students of kinesiology should obtain as much experience in the field as possible by participating in summer internships and part-time jobs at a hospital, sports medicine facility, school, fitness center, or other organizations that employ Kinesiologists. Hands-on training programs are the ideal way to pick up desirable therapeutic techniques.

Participation in sports while at school will also help you gain an experiential perspective of the human body’s possibilities and limitations. Plan and carry out exercise programs, or instruct others in proper exercise techniques.

To become a Kinesiologist, you typically need either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in kinesiology or a related field, such as human kinetics, exercise science, or exercise physiology. Post-secondary education in anatomy, physiology, biomedical engineering, biomechanics, statistics, and psychology can be beneficial, even though it is not mandatory.

Kinesiologists with a master’s or doctoral degree may have an advantage when applying to the posts of lecturers and senior-level researchers. They may also qualify for a higher level of pay than candidates with a bachelor’s degree.

Some locations mandate a four-year premedical degree focused on human anatomy, kinesiology, or physiology followed by a master’s degree or national certification in kinesiology.

An intense college-preparatory course load, including anatomy, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics, will give you the scientific background essential for further studies in kinesiology. Classes in health and psychology will also prove invaluable. Take physical education classes to gain a better appreciation of our muscles and the nature of their movement.

Generally, a Kinesiologist needs a license to practice professional massage therapy. Formal training courses aid students in obtaining an authorized license.

Individual government entities conduct licensing. It typically requires the passage of an examination in addition to the fulfillment of eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience, training, or the completion of an internship, residency, or apprenticeship.

To get an accredited certification, candidates may need to pass a national certification exam for therapeutic massage and bodywork. Employers prefer candidates with Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Life Support (ACLS) certification, both of which include training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Voluntary Certification from an objective and reputed organization can help promising Kinesiologists to gain professional credibility, stand out in a competitive job market, and become an independent consultant. Applicants must pass the required exams, complete specific core course requirements, and earn a stipulated number of supervised clinical experience hours.

Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics. The reassurance that members who practice outside the Code will be investigated and held accountable earns the community’s trust and respect, which are the most critical elements in securing a Kinesiologist’s future.

Kinesiology is gradually gaining in importance as an alternative method of treatment in medicine and allied health practices. It is a powerful tool for stress reduction, and hence, Kinesiologists are very much in demand in ancillary health services. Advancement possibilities in kinesiology are limited, and thus career progression is driven by performance, experience, and acquisition of professional qualifications.

Kinesiologists usually start as staff therapists at health care facilities. With advanced training, experienced Kinesiologists may become Supervisors or Department Heads at health care centers, clinics, colleges, and related facilities. They may choose to work on a part-time basis and aim at developing a personal clientele. Some move on to do consulting work for healthcare facilities. Those with entrepreneurial skills can start their private practice.

The field of kinesiology offers one the scope to move into parallel careers in chiropractic work, athletic therapy, and massage therapy. Some Kinesiologists use their practical experience to do more research in the field or teach a kinesiology program in high schools, colleges, and universities. They may write for field newsletters or journals to report their progress in rehabilitating a particular patient or treating a specific disability.

Competition in the field of kinesiology will be high. Having internship experience and work experience will help increase your chances of getting the job.

Continuing professional development is the holistic commitment of Kinesiologists towards enhancing personal skills and proficiency throughout their active careers through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. There are a whole host of CPD courses, seminars, and workshops to help professionals in the field.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is especially important in kinesiology as it has important implications for public wellbeing. CPD ensures that Kinesiologists function safely and effectively while improving existing services and learning new and improved techniques. Ideal career progression happens when Kinesiologists actively expand their skill-sets and meet their respective regulatory bodies’ requirements.

CPD allows individuals to upskill continually, regardless of their age, job, or level of knowledge. It prevents practical and academic qualifications from becoming outdated. It enables Kinesiologists to identify any knowledge gaps and progress to a new specialism. One can also choose to join a professional association as it offers excellent opportunities to learn about the latest techniques and developments in kinesiology.

Tracking Energy

Kinesiology is defined primarily as muscle testing to identify imbalances in the body's structural, chemical, and emotional energy. Kinesiologists undertake several years of training to access the movement of energy - or what the Chinese call Chi - around the body and brain. They seek ways to improve the human body’s efficiency and performance while at work or play by studying the factors that influence movement.

Diverse Career Opportunities

Diverse career opportunities are open to those who have studied kinesiology. Jobs in this area include physical education or dance teachers, sports team coaches, health and fitness consultants, athletic or personal trainers, and researchers in biomechanics.

Differentiating the Work of Kinesiologists from that of Related Professionals

The work of Kinesiologists should not be confused with that of fitness trainers and instructors (including personal trainers) or athletic trainers, or with that of physical therapists, orthotists, or prosthetists. Physical therapists test and measure the functions of the musculoskeletal, neurological, pulmonary, and cardiovascular systems to treat existing problems. Orthotists focus on supporting and bracing weak or ineffective joints, and muscles and prosthetists are concerned with replacing missing body parts with artificial devices. Kinesiologists focus on the interconnection of all these systems. In some instances, they may refer a patient to another specialist for additional treatment.

Specializations

Exercise Kinesiologists study the effect of exercise on body functions in humans.

Biomechanics Kinesiologists deal with patients suffering from physical disabilities that impair normal body movement. Psychomotor Kinesiologists aim to improve motor learning skills in patients with cerebral palsy, autism, and other motor and neurological problems. Ergonomic Kinesiologists work in corporate settings to educate the workforce about proper body postures and ergonomic equipment, tools, and furniture.

Designing Athletic Equipment

If you specialize in biomechanics and ergonomic kinesiology, you could join a design team to design new athletic equipment. Your knowledge of body movement and biomechanics would be of use to sports goods manufacturers to develop equipment conducive to optimum athletic performance. Keep in mind that you would typically need a graduate degree to work in industrial design.

Kinesiology Heals...Almost Everything

Wide-spread research shows that adequately structured and supported exercise programs designed and delivered by a Kinesiologist can dramatically reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, and recurrent cancer. They can reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes and be twice as effective as standard insulin in treating the condition.

The programs can help the muscles of people affected by Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis function better. They can decrease depression as effectively as pharmacological or behavioral therapy. They can also reduce mortality and the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to those who are less active.

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs. Full-Time Employment

Being a freelance Kinesiologist offers freedom regarding flexible schedules, working hours, and location. They have full ownership of the business and can afford selectivity in terms of the variety of projects and clients presented. While it has unlimited earning potential, freelancing comes with less stability and security, with inconsistent work and cash flow. There is more responsibility, effort, and risk involved. There are no paid holidays, and sick/maternity/paternity leaves are almost unaffordable. There is the added pressure of a self-employment tax and no eligibility for unemployment benefits.

However, a full-time Kinesiologist has access to company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Despite that, they are susceptible to potential boredom and the inability to pursue passion projects due to their lack of time or effort. With a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety, there is also a need to budget extra money for commuting and attire costs.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

From anxiety, allergy, and pain to nutrient deficiency, muscles can give clues to what the body is going through.

Most people have no clue how good their body is designed to feel. Kinesiologists are the tireless champions of the natural healing force within each of us...the greatest force in helping us get well.

In some corner of your life, you know more about something than anyone else on earth. The true measure of your education is not what you know but how you share what you know with others.