What is clinical kinesiology?

Kinesiologists work in gyms, medical clinics, fitness centres, and in homes to provide exercise and movement services.

What is clinical kinesiology?

Clinical kinesiology, also known as professional kinesiology, is the applied, hands-on use of movement and exercise as medicine. While kinesiology is widely known as the science of human movement, clinical kinesiology puts that science into practice to improve physical or mental health, treat chronic disease, improve sport performance, reduce pain, rehabilitate an injury, and more.

About clinical kinesiology

Clinical kinesiology looks different in different parts of the world. Here in Saskatchewan, clinical kinesiologists (or "kins") can be found in rehabilitation centres, physiotherapy clinics, hospitals, gyms, universities, and more. Kins will often work under different titles, most commonly exercise therapist, but the basic purpose of the job remains: kins provide specific, often personalized exercise recommendations and programming to improve their clients' or patients' level of health, quality of life, or physical performance. Whether it's an aging client with osteoporosis or a teen recovering from a sports injury, clinical kinesiologists provide movement and exercise prescriptions to get them back 100%.

How clinical kinesiology works

Kinesiologists play an important role in a healthcare team. The kin's job is to handle aspects of movement and exercise, like improving posture, regaining function, building strength, increasing coordination, and other aspects related to physical health and movement. Some common use-cases for clinical kinesiology include:

• Post-surgery recovery

• Pain management

• Return-to-work

• Return-to-play

• Strength improvement

• Chronic disease management

A kinesiologist has the vital education and skills to work within a care team or individually to provide appropriate exercise programming and recommendations for these cases and more.

What is a kinesiologist?

A kinesiologist (also known as a kin) is a university trained exercise and movement specialist. Within the Kinesiology Association of Saskatchewan, all of our Professional Kinesiologists meet stringent standards set by our national partner, the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance, including education on psychology, sociology, anatomy, ethics, and - of course - how the human body moves!

When should someone see a kinesiologist?

Kinesiologists can help in the treatment of many conditions, but they also offer preventative medicine services. Exercise and movement programs from a kinesiologist can serve near-limitless functions, including:

• Improving immune system function

• Preventing osteoporosis

• Reducing blood pressure

• Managing Type 2 diabetes

• Improving general fitness

• Increasing strength and endurance

• Improving mental health through exercise,

and much more.

If you might benefit from one or more of these benefits, check out our Find a Kin tool to be matched with a kinesiologist near you!

Kinesiology FAQ

1. What does a kinesiologist do?

   1. Kinesiologists (kins) analyse, correct, prescribe, and teach movement for the purposes of health.

2. Who can benefit from clinical kinesiology?

   1. Almost everyone. All human bodies were made to move, and a properly-trained kin can assess and prescribe the right movement for any person's unique situation and abilities.

3. What is clinical kinesiology based on?

   1. Clinical kin is evidence-based, meaning the principles that inform treatment need to be backed by science.

4. Does clinical kinesiology use hands-on treatments or manual therapies?

   1. Sometimes, if a practitioner is adequately trained in their use. Most kinesiology practitioners will use exercise prescription as their primary mode of treatment.

5. Is clinical kinesiology only used for rehabilitation after an injury?

   1. No, clinical kinesiology is useful for prevention and fitness interventions, too!

6. What qualifications does someone need to become a kinesiologist?

   1. Under the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance, a person must hold a four-year degree in kinesiology or an equivalent discipline (like human kinetics or physical education), adhere to their ethical and conduct standards, and hold robust insurance that covers the full scope of kinesiology. All Professional Kinesiologists under the Kinesiology Association of Saskatchewan meet these stringent criteria.

7. Are clinical kinesiologists regulated health professionals?

   1. In Saskatchewan, kinesiology is a self-regulated industry and does not fall under provincial health care regulations. Some areas do have kinesiology as a regulated industry, like in Ontario, where kins are regulated by the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario.

8. How does a kinesiologist develop a treatment plan?

   1. Kinesiology treatment plans are often developed in a healthcare team alongside physiotherapists, doctors, occupational therapists, and/or other healthcare practitioners. A kin will take all available evidence and build a program to fit the needs and abilities of their client.

9. Where can I find a Professional Kinesiologist?

   1. The CKA's Find a Kin tool is a great place to start!

What conditions can be treated by exercise?

Exercise is known to treat many conditions across populations. It's probably not possible to list every condition that exercise and movement can treat - but here are a few to get started:

Metabolic & Endocrine

• Type 2 diabetes

• Insulin resistance / metabolic syndrome

• Obesity / weight management

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Cardiovascular & Pulmonary

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)

• Coronary artery disease

• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)

• Post-myocardial infarction (cardiac rehab)

• Stroke (post-stroke rehab)

• Dyslipidemia (high cholesterol)

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

• Asthma (controlled, not acute exacerbations)

• Cystic fibrosis (as tolerated)

• Heart rhythm disorders (with medical clearance)

Musculoskeletal & Orthopedic

• Osteoarthritis (hip, knee, hand)

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Osteoporosis

• Low back pain (chronic, non-specific)

• Neck pain

• Rotator cuff tendinopathy

• Shoulder impingement

• Plantar fasciitis

• Patellofemoral pain syndrome

• ACL injury recovery

• Ankle sprains (rehab)

• General post-surgical orthopedic rehab (e.g., total knee replacement)

Neurological & Neuromuscular

• Parkinson’s disease

• Multiple sclerosis

• Cerebral palsy

• Stroke (as above)

• Spinal cord injury (in some contexts)

• Traumatic brain injury recovery

• Balance disorders / fall risk in older adults

Mental Health & Cognitive

• Major depressive disorder

• Generalized anxiety disorder

• Stress management

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• ADHD (symptom management)

• Dementia (mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease — exercise shown to slow decline)

• Sleep disorders (insomnia, sleep apnea with weight loss support)

Cancer & Immune

• Cancer-related fatigue (breast, prostate, colon, lung, etc.)

• Post-cancer treatment recovery (many types)

• HIV/AIDS-related wasting and fitness

Special Populations

• Pregnancy (healthy pregnancies, gestational diabetes)

• Postpartum recovery

• Frailty in older adults

• Children & youth with obesity, type 2 diabetes, or developmental conditions

Where does clinical kinesiology fit?

Clinical kinesiology can fit with any age, level of fitness, chronic condition, or level of ability. Movement is good for all of us, and kinesiology is here to help get you moving.