About Kinesiology
Kinesiology is the scientific study of human movement, performance and function, and incorporates the sciences of biomechanics, anatomy, physiology, psychology and neuroscience. Registered Kinesiologists (R. Kin.) are practitioners of Kinesiology that are regulated in Ontario by the College of Kinesiologist of Ontario.
What does that mean to you?
It means that a Registered Kinesiologist must act in your best interest, abide by a strict code of ethics, and comply with all the College’s practice standards and guidelines. If not, the College can be called in to investigate the situation.
Kinesiologist can work with individuals of all ages and provide you with a number of services, to include:
- Physical activity counselling and fitness training
- Treatment and prevention of injury and disease
- Improvement of movement quality and physical performance
- Injury rehabilitation
- Ergonomics (improve functionality of living and work spaces)
- Return to work planning and disability management
- Health promotion and public health
When we think about fitness people often associate it with weight loss, muscle development, or enhancing sports performance. Kinesiology can certainly achieve those goals, but it is much more than that. In the Province of Ontario Kinesiologists are Health Care Professionals because of the role they can play in preventing various illnesses and injuries, managing existing conditions, and rehabilitating individuals back to good health. Research has shown a positive effect on the prevention of the following health conditions when the proper exercise prescription has been implemented:
- Heart Disease
- Peripheral Arterial Disease
- Alzheimer's and dementia
- Hyperlipidemia
- Low Back Pain
- Shoulder and Neck Pain
- Knee Pain
- Ligament Sprains
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Obesity
- Frailty
- Osteopenia and Osteoperosis
- Repetitive Stress Injuries
- Muscle Strains
- Overtraining Syndrome
Research has also shown that proper exercise prescription can have a positive impact in the management of the following health conditions:
- Hypertension
- Heart Surgery
- Peripheral Arterial Disease
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Obesity
- Aging and Frailty
- Cancer
- Osteoporosis and Osteopenia
- Limb Amputation
- Stroke
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Spinal Chord Injury
- Hearing or Visual Impairment
- Bone Fractures
- Chronic Restrictive Pulmonary Disease
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Hyperlipidemia
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Organ Transplant
- Chronic Fatigue
- Fibromyalgia
- Arthritis
- Low Back Pain
- Knee Pain
- Shoulder and Neck Pain
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Ligament Tears
If any of the above mentions conditions or scenarios sounds like you, then you can benefit from the professional guidance of a Kinesiologist. It is important to remember that a Kinesiologist can also work with apparently healthy individuals to improve their overall health and wellbeing, enhance body composition, increase muscle development, and enhance sports and occupational performance.
As a Health Care Providers, Kinesiology services are more commonly covered by employee health benefits. Ask your health benefits provider if they cover Kinesiology, or specifically ask for it if you have the option to choose. Otherwise Kinesiology services can be included in your Income Tax return as a medical expense to recuperate some of the costs.
