Kinesiologists utilize their knowledge and skills to help athletes and dancers and are used frequently in sports physiology. However, kinesiology in the context of complementary medicine—a field known as applied kinesiology—is a holistic treatment.
Kinesiology schools attract a wide range of practitioners interested in holistic health, particularly chiropractors, naturopathic and conventional medical doctors, physical therapists, nurses, and massage therapists.
Kinesiology school graduates can be found throughout the health care and bodywork industries. But what all of these kinesiology careers have in common is their focus on using muscles as a diagnostic tool to pinpoint issues in the nervous system, lymphatic system, energy pathways, and other body systems.
What is kinesiology?
Kinesiology is the scientific study of human movement. And Applied Kinesiology (A.K.) is a form of therapy that combines science and exercise (like aerobic training, strength training, and yoga). It is used by healthcare professionals as a system of diagnosis and treatment.
Thus, the main goal of kinesiological practice is to detect, prevent and treat injuries, diseases, and other health conditions through specific exercises. These include:
Think of applied kinesiology as an approach that uses muscle testing in order to zero in on health problems throughout the body.
What does a kinesiologist do?
Kinesiologists study human movement through the evaluation, analysis, and prescription/rehabilitation of exercise and sports activities to determine why specific movements may hinder their performance or health.
The kinesiologist then determines appropriate physical therapies, herbal medicine, dietary changes, or other treatment methods to address the patient’s health issues and prevent future problems.
To help patients overcome physical injuries and disabilities kinesiologists use conventional diagnostic methods like laboratory tests as well as assessments that look at the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system. Including posture analysis, muscular control, motion analysis, and manual testing for areas of muscle weakness.
Skills kinesiologists use to help patients
Have you heard of Kinesiology Therapeutic (KT) tape? Often called ‘Kinesio tape’ and used to aid muscle movement, this innovation got its name from the field that studies movement—kinesiology.
How to become a kinesiologist in 7 steps
Earn your bachelor’s degree in kinesiology
Aspiring kinesiologists must first earn their bachelor’s degree in a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Attending a program with CAAHEP’s stamp of approval can set candidates on the path toward becoming a Registered Kinesiotherapist (RKT) which can, according to the American Kinesiotherapy Association (AKTA), enhance employment opportunities, assure the confidence of potential patients and increase your prestige among other allied health professionals.
Beyond seeking a program accredited by the CAAHEP, kinesiology majors should look for programs that fulfill the AKTA’s other prerequisites for becoming an RKT. Specifically, programs must include courses in:
• General psychology
• Human anatomy
• Human physiology
• Neurological and pathologic foundations of rehabilitation
• Exercise physiology
• Therapeutic exercise
• Applied Kinesiology
• Statistics
• Motor learning
• First aid
• Introduction to kinesiotherapy
In addition to simply taking these courses, you must earn at least a “C” in each class, and maintain a 2.5 (out of 4.0) grade point average (GPA).
Bachelor’s degrees typically take four years to complete and require students to have already earned their high school diploma or GED.
Gain 1,000 hours of supervised clinical experience
Once you’ve met the kinesiology degree requirements by earning your bachelor’s degree in a CAAHEP-approved program, you must then complete at least 1,000 hours of clinical experience supervised by an existing RKT.
Upon completion of these hours, the supervising RKT will need to submit a letter of sponsorship documenting your clinical hours before you can sit for the RKT exam.
Depending on your program, you might be able to complete all or some of your hours through applied kinesiology internships or externships. Be sure to check with your school to see what options are available.
Become an RKT
Once you complete the various prerequisites to sit for the AKTA’s Registered Kinesiotherapist (RKT) exam, you need to apply to take the exam and pay the fees associated with it. Currently, there are two fees: one to submit your documentation showing that you qualify…
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