Should I study kinesiology?

Have you ever had thoughts like these?

• How do babies start to walk?

• How do basketball players run and dribble a ball at the same time?

• How do gymnasts make a landing after a flip?

If so, then studying kinesiology might be for you!

Kinesiology is the study of how movement influences "health, society, and quality of life."

Kinesiologists study topics such as:

• Exercise

• Human movement

• Biomechanics

• Sports science

With a degree in kinesiology, you can:

• Understand how the human body works

• Build a foundation for sports performance improvement and work with athletes.

• Understand the growing awareness and demand for healthier lifestyles

• Help people recover from injuries and create personalized workout plans

• Get a stable and well-paid career!

Coursework typically covers:

• History and philosophy of kinesiology

• Basis of human movement (topics like biomechanics and motor behavior)

• Ethical issues

• Relationship between exercise and health & well-being

Kinesiology is hands-on! Courses are a mix of lectures, labs, and participation in exercise activities. Labs include live demonstrations of ideas discussed during lectures. For example, you could be asked to study a (real) person's walking style after an ankle injury. Pilates and basketball are examples of exercise activities you can take.

Here are some courses that could be included during your first year as a kinesiology student:

• Introduction to Kinesiology (basic overview of the field)

• Physical Education (exercise activities are done, may include topics related to health and wellness)

• Anatomy (study of living things)

• Injury Prevention & Treatment (examples are ankle sprains, rotator cuff tears, neck strains)

• Electives from Psychology, Biology, or other disciplines (like Intro to Psychology)

Check out this video to see a day for a kinesiology student!

Kinesiology is a big field! It uses many ideas from other areas like physics, biology, and even psychology. So, you'll learn many new things, and some may be challenging.

Tips to be successful in the major:

• Attend and actively participate in lectures/labs

• Talk with professors and classmates about unclear ideas between classes

• Attend study groups and test study sessions

• Practice performing concepts and saying them out loud

• Use pics and videos to understand ideas

• Stay active!

Everything will balance out, right?

A degree in kinesiology offers many career choices.

Check out this video for some ideas:

The video reviews traditional, non-traditional, and potential jobs that can be done with a kinesiology degree.

Some common jobs mentioned are: fitness trainer, chiropractor, and physical therapist.

Which career interests you the most?

Now that you've learned all about a kinesiology degree program, you've got to prepare for it! Right?

Focus on:

• Completion of your high school diploma

• Science and math classes (preferably AP classes)

• Interest in physical fitness and exercise