Introduction to

Kinesiology

Agenda

What is kinesiology?
Why study kinesiology?
How do we study kinesiology?

What is Kinesiology?

Kinesiology - study of motion or

human movement
Biomechanics - application of
mechanical physics to human
motion.

KINESIOLOGY

FUNCTIONAL
ANATOMY
Spine
Pelvic Girdle
Shoulder Girdle

BIOMECHANICS

KINEMATICS
(Describing
Movements)
Linear
Angular

KINETICS
(Forces causing
motion)
Linear
Angular

Vectors

Vectors

GR Forces

Torque

Scalars

Angles

Friction

C of G

Position

Position

Fluid

Levers

Displaceme
nt

Displaceme
nt

Elasticity

Acceleration

Velocity

Velocity

Newtons
Laws

Newtons
Laws

Acceleration

Acceleration

Work

Work

Power

Power

Centripetal
F

Stability

Impulse

Momentum

Projectiles

Muscular System
Nervous System

Momentum

Impulse

Agenda

What is kinesiology?
Why study kinesiology?
How do we study kinesiology?

Why Study Kinesiology?

To improve performance.
There are many applications of
improving performance.
Examples?
Athletic performance,
dance/pedagogy, physical therapy,
occupational therapy, gait
analysis, human factors,
ergonomics. . .

Why Study Kinesiology?

What does an improvement in

performance mean? An
optimization of:
Safety
Effectiveness
Efficiency
These are the BIG 3 underlying
objectives!

Prerequisites

Should have an adequate

knowledge & understanding of all
large muscle groups to know how
to strengthen, improve, & maintain
these parts of human body
Should know how & what to do in
relation to conditioning & training

Prerequisites

Should know why specific exercises

are done in conditioning & training
of athletes

Agenda

What is kinesiology?
Why study kinesiology?
How do we study kinesiology?

How Do We Study
Kinesiology?

What tools are used to study

movement?
Video

Force transducers

Kinematics: Study of motion in respect to

time
Kinetics: Study of forces that act to cause
motion

EMG (ElectroMyoGraphy)
Computer modeling

How Do We Study
Kinesiology?

Quantitative Methods

Qualitative Methods

Uses numbers to describe movement

Describes the quality of movement
without numbers

Either are appropriate when

performing a KINESIOLOGICAL
ANALYSIS

Kinesiological Analysis

A method to describe, evaluate

(anatomically and mechanically)
and prescribe corrections.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is the process of

helping a person to reach the
fullest physical, psychological,
social, vocational, avocational, and
educational potential consistent
with his or her physiologic or
anatomical impairment,
environmental limitations, and
desires and life plans.

Health

WHOs definition:
Physical,
psychological and
socially complete
well-being.

Impairment

Any loss or abnormality of

psychological, physiological, or
anatomical structure or function.
Examples: Weakness, Limited ROM etc.
Involves body part, not the body as
whole.

Disability

Any restriction or
lack resulting from
impairment of
ability to perform
an activity in the
manner or within
the range
considered normal
for a human being.

Handicap

A disadvantage for
a given individual
resulting from an
impairment or a
disability that limits
or prevents the
fulfillment of a role
that is normal.