What is Kinesiology
The many benefits of exercise cannot be overstated—it enhances your mental health, physical well-being, and overall happiness. According to research, exercise can improve your brain health; reduce the risk of disease; strengthen your bones and muscles; boost your self-esteem, mood, and sleep quality; give you more energy; reduce stress; enhance your heart function and circulation; improve your memory; and help fight depression, and anxiety.
At Active Balance Physiotherapy we abide by the motto, “Exercise is medicine.”
What is Kinesiology?
Kinesiology studies the dynamics of the human body: how it moves, and how its anatomy work together to produce movement. The goal of kinesiology is to create efficient movement patterns to optimize performance and function.
Originally developed in Sweden, the word “kinesiology” comes from a translation into Greek and English from the Swedish word Rörelselära, which means “Movement Science.”
Through the study of human movement, professionals can prescribe and teach you exercises to optimize your range of motion and flexibility, as well as your strength, balance, and endurance. Kinesiologists will help you develop healthy exercise routines and schedules, and can also help you learn sport-specific skills to improve your performance.
Who should see a Kinesiologist?
People of all ages can benefit from Kinesiology. Perhaps you have a running injury, or have been in a motor vehicle accident; maybe you have chronic musculoskeletal injuries, recovering from surgery or you are struggling with some of the effects of aging. Exercise therapy with a Kinesiologist can help with your rehabilitation and ultimately get you back to your sports, hobbies, or work.
What services do they offer?
Kinesiologists help with a wide range of issues, and the scope of their practice covers many services to assist you with your health and wellness goals—including: movement assessment, exercise therapy for range of motion, flexibility, strength, core strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. They can help you with nutrition and weight management which will help with chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Kinesiologists help you to use sport specific skills to improve your performance. Kinesiologists work with your mind set to develop healthy exercise routines and schedules.
What can I expect during my appointment?
Our Kinesiologists will perform a thorough individualized assessment that examines your condition, your lifestyle, your hurdles, and your goals. They will then prescribe and teach you an exercise program. This can be done in the clinic, one-on-one, and can also be done at home in between sessions. You should come prepared in athletic footwear and clothing. Kinesiology is fun, motivating, and research shows that “exercise is the new medicine!”
Can you explain the benefits of an exercise program?
Thanks to the neuroplasticity of the human brain and the adaptability of the musculoskeletal system, exercise is a simple and established intervention for many movement disorders and musculoskeletal conditions. Exercise programs can improve your quality of life, your sleeping habits, your immune system function, and reduce your risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. A recent study shows that 3 sessions of thirty minutes of brisk walking can help improve your happiness.
You might be familiar with the phrase, sitting is the new smoking—our society spends a lot more time sitting than we used to, and it has had an impact on our health. Sitting has increased our chances of cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and back pain. The solution to this problem is movement.
There is plenty of research to suggest that cardiovascular exercise is particularly helpful for pain management, osteoporosis, knee and hip osteoarthritis, vestibular and balance issues, and recovering from surgery. From hiking, biking, running and walking, to aquafit, swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding, any form of cardiovascular exercise will promote healthful living.
