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Kinesiology Specializations

The Specializations (streams) have been designed to assist students who wish to concentrate their studies in a specific area. The courses listed should be used as guidelines. You are encouraged to carefully investigate the suggested electives listed and select the courses that will best meet your needs.

"Specializations" are not designated on your degree.

Kinesiology has several areas of specialization:

Kinesiology in the Workplace
Rehabilitation
Sports Medicine
Exercise Management
Special Testing
Teaching
Preparation for Professional Schools
Business Courses

Kinesiology in the Workplace

The workplace, whether an office or industrial setting, involves many complex interactions between the worker, machine and environment. Kinesiologists are concerned with the assessment and prescription of solutions to problems in the workplace that involve issues such as human-machine interaction, matching skill level with job demands, employee wellness, circadian rhythm, workplace boredom, fatigue, design of equipment in the interests of maximizing productivity and minimizing the risk of injury.

Mechanics of movement and biomechanical assessment -suggested list of elective courses:

Advisor: S. McGill

Physiological energy demands -suggested list of elective courses:
Health, social, and ethical issues -suggested list of elective courses:

Advisor: TBA

Problem-solving and communication skills as well as a diverse academic background are essential to the field. In addition to the specific courses recommended above, students interested in this area may also consider business related courses.

Rehabilitation

Kinesiologists working in rehabilitative settings are concerned not only with maximizing motor and perceptual abilities but also with the patient's total well-being. Their responsibilities may include conducting research, assessing, and treating individuals with various types of motor performance deficits. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills are essential for a career in rehabilitation.

Cardiac Rehabilitation
Based on assessments of the efficiency of the cardiorespiratory system, an appropriate exercise program is developed for the patient. Essential components of the rehabilitative strategy involve modifying lifestyle behaviour (i.e. weight control, stress management) and educational programs. The following courses provide relevant background but are not all essential (KIN 349 and 407 are central to this stream).

Suggested list of elective courses:

Advisor: TBA

Physical Rehabilitation
Kinesiologists utilize various assessment techniques to enable detailed assessment of movement problems of the physically handicapped. These data may be used by the Kinesiologist, Physiotherapist, and Orthopaedic Surgeon to implement an appropriate rehabilitation program.

Suggested list of elective courses:

Advisor: E. Roy

Working with special populations in clinical settings
This may include assessment, re-education, rehabilitation and/or training for the physically disabled, brain-damaged, mentally retarded, elderly, emotionally disturbed and other special populations. Using an integrated approach, Kinesiologists provide services that will enhance, improve or maintain - locomotor function, general fitness, co-ordination, muscle development and posture. Also programs to control or limit the extent of obesity, spasticity, hyperactivity, and chronic motor impairment are conducted.

Suggested list of elective courses:

* Courses are particularly important for those interested in the assessment of neuromuscular function. Those interested in working with the elderly should consider taking a Gerontology Minor.

Advisor: E. Roy

Sports Medicine

This stream provides a student with an in-depth appreciation and understanding of the problems related to injury in sport and industry, with measures that can be taken to prevent such injury, and with rehabilitative and therapeutic techniques for caring for such injury. While opportunities for a career in sports medicine are limited, the program is ideal for those intending to pursue a degree in Medicine, Chiropractic, Ergonomics, or Physiotherapy.

In addition, students in the Sports Medicine Stream are encouraged to work in the Athletic Injuries Clinic as student assistants and therapists to gain the experience necessary to this field of study.

Please contact Rob Burns for more information.

Exercise Management
Kinesiologists working in this field apply their multidisciplinary background to co-ordinate health and fitness programs for large corporations, community organizations, government agencies as well as their own businesses. Responsibilities may include fitness assessment, exercise program development, lifestyle consulting, equipment sales, co-ordinating promotional projects as well as management functions.

Special Testing

As part of a multidisciplinary health care team, the Kinesiologist works within a hospital or university setting using qualitative and quantitative assessment techniques that provide a systematic approach to diagnosing movement disorders. Many of these positions also involve applied research. Patients tested may include those who have suffered stroke, head injury, neurological impairment, asthma, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, amputation, and coronary heart disease.

Teaching

Students interested in teaching must complete a Faculty of Education program (teachers' college) to obtain an Ontario Teacher's Certificate. Each individual Faculty of Education has its own admission requirements.

Please visit the Teacher Education Application service for information about the Faculties of Education in Ontario Universities.

Preparation for Professional Schools

Professional Schools such as Chiropractic College and Medical School have specific requirements for science, mathematics and social science courses.

Students interested in applying to these schools are urged to contact them for information about the type of program offered, admission requirements, admission tests, and application procedures. Visit the Professional Schools advising website.

Research, Graduate School, and Concentrated Study in an Academic Discipline

Students interested in pursuing a career in the research field and/or attending graduate school have several ways of developing valuable research skills:

Information about various graduate programs can be obtained in the Career Information Centre, Needles Hall.
Students interested in Kinesiology graduate programs at UW are encouraged to discuss their intentions with Dr. Nancy Theberge and/or a faculty member appropriate to their area of study.

Business Courses
Kinesiology students wishing to obtain a background in business have several alternatives:
  1. Options and Minors
    Students requiring a structured program can follow one of the options or minors offered by other Departments.
    Management Studies Minor
    Economics Minor
    Human Resources Management
    Speech Communication
  2. Design Your Own Business Package
The following list has been compiled to help students design their own package of courses: Wilfrid Laurier University offers many business courses as well. Several of them are cross-listed in the UW timetable and require normal registration procedures. If a course is not listed in the UW Course Offerings Booklet, students must follow cross-registration procedures.