Over the past few weeks Oakville’s Palermo Physio and Wellness Centre has been host to Kinesiology Master’s candidate Jennifer. In this blog post she delves further into what a role a Kinesiologist brings.
If you have been in the clinic lately you may have met kinesiology students and wondered:
What exactly is kinesiology and what do kinesiologists do?
Kinesiology is the study of human movement, as it relates to performance and function. It works to integrate biomechanics, anatomy, physiology, psychology, and neuroscience.1 In 2013 kinesiology became a regulated health profession in Ontario under the Regulated Health Professions Act (1991).4 Therefore not anyone can call themselves a kinesiologist, only those who have completed an undergraduate degree in kinesiology, passed the entry to practice exam, and registered with the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario can call themselves a “Kinesiologist” or “Registered Kinesiologist” (R.Kin).1
The practice of kinesiology involves the assessment of human movement and performance to maintain, rehabilitate or enhance movement and performance.2 Kinesiologists believe in helping clients to look after their own health and will work with clients to develop personal goals whether that is losing weight, returning to work, or recovering from an injury. Kinesiologists work in a number of places including rehabilitation and wellness clinics, hospitals, community care centres, fitness clubs, and insurance companies; and as such work with people of all ages and every level of physical activity or function. Treatment by a kinesiologist is often hands-on and can involve manual therapy, exercise instruction/prescription and the use of modalities, such as heat, ice, or ultrasound.
Some services Kinesiologists can offer:
- Functional ability evaluation
- Return-to-work programs
- Assistive devices assessment
- Fitness program development
- Diabetes management strategies
- Cardiac/Cancer/Stroke rehabilitation
- Corporate wellness program development
- Work site assessments
- Physical demands analysis
For further information about kinesiologists or to find a kinesiologist visit the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario website: http://www.coko.ca/en/home.
- College of Kinesiologists of Ontario (http://www.coko.ca/en/home/public/about-kinesiology)
- Kinesiology Act, 2007, S.O. 2007, c. 10, Sched. O (https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/07k10)
- Ontario Kinesiologists Association (http://www.oka.on.ca/site/college-kinesiologists-ontario)
- Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c. 18 (https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/91r18)