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About Kinesiology
The Department of Kinesiology creates and disseminates new knowledge related to physical activity, physical education and sport. It prepares scholars and researchers, physical education teachers, physical activity and sport specialists to deliver physical activity, physical education, sport and rehabilitative services for all segments of society, including special populations such as children, the elderly, athletes, and persons with disability, injury and disease.
Department faculty are nationally and internationally recognized for their research in exercise science, health, physical education and sport studies. Research in exercise science focuses on the effects of physical activity on health, disabling conditions, and physical and mental function; aging and physical performance; injury during sport participation; the scientific determinants of human physical performance and fitness; and factors affecting the learning of motor skills.
Faculty research in physical education focuses on expert teaching in sport and physical education, socialization of physical education teachers, multicultural and global aspects of physical education and sport, and motor functioning of individuals with disabilities. Research in sport management/studies focuses on sport economics, sport law, sport marketing, and social and cultural aspects of sport.
Kinesiology research has been supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health, American Heart Association, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Athletic Training Association, Veterans Administration, American College of Sports Medicine, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Collegiate Athletic Association, United States Olympic Committee and corporations such as Procter & Gamble, Whitehall Robins, Coca Cola, Merck, the Ladies Professional Golf Association, Club Corporation of America, and GolfMagazine. Research expenditures of the Department in 2006 totaled over 1.3 million dollars.
Undergraduate and graduate degree programs in exercise and sport science leading to careers in physical therapy, athletic training, adult fitness/cardiac rehabilitation and other health science fields or teaching and research in a specialized area of exercise science are endorsed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The undergraduate athletic training program is nationally certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The bachelors and master’s programs in health and physical education leading to teacher certification are accredited by the National Association of Sport and Physical Education and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
Definition of Kinesiology
The term Kinesiology aptly describes the scope of the fields of study encompassed by the Department of Kinesiology, and therefore was selected as the Department name. Kinesiology is defined by the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physiology as follows:
Kinesiology refers to the study of movement. In American higher education, the term is used to describe a multifaceted field of study in which movement or physical activity is the intellectual focus. Physical activity includes exercise for improvement of health and physical fitness, activities of daily living, work, sport, dance, and play, and involves special population groups such as, children and the elderly; persons with disability, injury or disease; and athletes. Kinesiology is a common name for college and university academic departments that include many specialized areas of study in which the causes and consequences of physical activity are examined from different perspectives. The specialized areas of study apply knowledge, methods of inquiry, and principles from traditional areas of study in the arts, humanities and sciences. These areas include exercise and sport biomechanics, history, philosophy, physiology, biochemistry and molecular/cellular physiology, psychology, and sociology; motor behavior; measurement; physical fitness; and sports medicine. An interdisciplinary approach involving several of these areas is often used in addressing problems of importance to society. The study of kinesiology can lead to a variety of careers involving teaching, research, coaching and delivery of services related to physical activity and fitness, health promotion, rehabilitation and sports medicine. Positions are found in a variety of settings including schools, colleges and universities, public and private agencies, clinical environments, government, business and the military. (AAKPE website: http://www.aakpe.org/)
Mission
The mission of the Department of Kinesiology is to enhance health and well-being of society through creation, transmission and application of knowledge related to physical activity. Physical activity is interpreted broadly to include exercise, sport and activities of daily and work-related physical activity.
Vision
The vision of the Department of Kinesiology is to be recognized for outstanding contributions and leadership that advance the state, nation and world by: a) creation and dissemination of new knowledge related to physical activity, physical education and sport; b) preparing outstanding scholars and researchers, physical education teachers, and physical activity and sport specialists to meet the workforce needs of a global society; and, c) enhancing delivery of physical activity, physical education, sport and rehabilitative services for all segments of society, including special populations such as children and the elderly, persons with disability, injury and disease, and athletes.
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