Where does Kinesiology fit? I remember a powerful article I read by Ives and Knudson (2007), indicating what they considered important components to a well-rounded academic program in exercise science. They argued, persuasively, that a good program was composed of several sub-disciplines (i.e., exercise physiology, biomechanics, functional anatomy, motor learning).
The point that resonated, and continues to resonate, from their arguments was a need to foster and amalgamate these disciplines. If ignored, they submitted that other professions would encroach on our field, and absorb it into their own, leading us to professional extinction (Ives & Knudson, 2007). This has been evidenced by Moffat, Hegenscheidt, Shamay, Reid, Rotem-Lehrer, and Tremblay (2012); physiotherapists want to apply more exercise in their profession. So, where does Kinesiology fit? Such a question can be argued as very important to our relevance, and place, among other professional fields.
It would seem that we have to keep pushing for higher standards (i.e., academic, continuing education, public awareness) to continue galvanizing our role. I would think that injury prevention, health promotion, and performance enhancement are very real and applicable skill sets that we are acquiring within Kinesiology undergraduate/graduate programs . However, I also believe it is our responsibility to inform the public of what we are able to offer. Otherwise, we are a “needle in a haystack” with only ourselves to hold responsible.
References
Ives, J. C., & Knudson, D. (2007). Professional practice in exercise science; The need for greater disciplinary balance. Sports Medicine,37(2), 103-115.
Moffat, M., Hegenscheidt, S., Shamay, N., Reid, D., Rotem-Lehrer, N., & Tremblay, M. (2012). Evidence-based exercise prescription: Raising the standard of delivery [Opinion paper]. International Musculoskeletal Medicine, 34(1), 21-36.
-Michael McIsaac