Definition and Nature of Field
Kinesiology deals with the study of immediate and long term effects of physical activity on the human body.
The how and why the human body responds to physical activity is also a focus. The field of study of exercise science is very diverse and includes several areas of inquires. Two areas of inquiry for individuals interested in this field include sports performance and health-related components of physical activity.
The health-related components of physical activity have been researched and the need for further research is prominent because of the obesity epidemic and the lack of physical activity of children. Sports performance of children, young adults and older adults involves biomechanical analysis, psycho/social analysis of sport as well as nutrition and physiological analysis. Kinesiology is a non-teaching major that has emerged in response to concerns about the lack of physical activity, obesity, and increase risks of developing diseases. The kinesiology field provides the opportunity to study the scientific basis of sport performance. SHAPE America provides guidelines for basic standard courses for the field. This field of study may also be entitled Movement Science, Fitness, or Exercise Science.