Kinesiology: Helping People with All Aspects of Physical and Mental Health

If you ask the average person what kinesiology is, what may come to mind is a discipline that involves helping individuals improve their fitness through a muscle strength and conditioning routine or assisting someone who is trying to regain full functioning capacity following an injury sustained during some type of physical activity. These are the types of routine services that clinical exercise physiologists perform every day. But what people may not realize is that the role of a kinesiologist can go well beyond these traditional functions. Kinesiologists help people with many aspects of physical and mental health that you would not typically associate with exercise.

At its core, kinesiology (sometimes referred to as exercise science) is the study of human movement and how it affects overall health. This discipline encompasses the principles of biomechanics, physiology, and nutrition which work together to optimize human performance. The science of kinesiology has a reach that extends into many fundamental aspects of human functioning, and for that reason it is often considered “medicine” in treating a variety of physical and mental health ailments. This can include the management of chronic disease and depression through exercise. Debra Stroiney, Academic Program Coordinator (Graduate) and associate professor in the Kinesiology Program within the School of Kinesiology at George Mason University, recently shared her thoughts on how the field of kinesiology is improving the quality of life for individuals who suffer from a physical or mental health condition.

Exercise plays a significant role in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs.

A carefully planned exercise regimen can be an important part of a rehabilitation program for people recuperating from the debilitating effects of cardiac or pulmonary disease. An exercise program designed by a certified clinical physiologist and incorporated into a rehabilitation treatment plan can help a patient improve their overall cardiovascular health and build functional capacity.

Cancer patients benefit from remaining physically active.

Exercise can also be an essential component of a treatment plan for people living with cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, doing regular exercise before, during, and after cancer treatment has many benefits. These include reducing feelings of fatigue, lessening the side effects of cancer treatments, strengthening the immune system, minimizing depression and anxiety, improving sleep patterns, and increasing energy levels, among others. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has developed its Moving Through Cancer initiative that educates people living with cancer about the benefits they can obtain from remaining physically active and exercising at a level equivalent to their abilities.

Exercise can remediate the adverse impacts of neurological disorders and improve cognitive functioning.

Another area where exercise science has been shown to have positive benefits is in remediating the negative impacts of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions affecting the nervous system. Studies have shown that exercise and physical activity can stimulate the activity of neurons and the release of neurotransmitters in the brain which can boost memory and cognitive capacity. It can also improve an individual’s mental health. In fact, research provides evidence that because of its ability to increase the production of neurotransmitters in the brain, exercise can be as effective as medication in treating certain types of anxiety and depressive disorders. Regular exercise also helps with managing stress levels which, if left unchecked, can harm an individual’s physical and mental health, and negatively impact their well-being.

The kinesiology field includes certain health subspecialities.

Because exercise science provides a foundation for the treatment and management of so many different afflictions that can harm an individual’s mental and physical well-being, the field of kinesiology is expanding into subspecialties that focus on health conditions specific to certain populations. One of these involves working with individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Individuals with autism often suffer from diminished socialization, communication, and behavioral skills. They can also experience difficulties controlling their physical movements. For children with autism, these challenges can deny them access to participation in organized sports which provide the benefits of health and fitness through physical activity.

Some studies suggest that a structured exercise program, designed to meet the needs and abilities of an individual with autism, may help to manage the behavioral challenges characteristic of this disorder. ACSM offers a course leading to certification as an autism exercise specialist. In describing this specialized certification, ACMS states, “Training people with autism requires using the same tools and protocols that have been successfully implemented in the classroom but rarely make it to the gym. To do this effectively, fitness professionals must be educated on how to implement these evidence-based practices.”

Another subspecialty in the field of kinesiology centers on individuals with disabilities. In partnership with the National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability, ACSM has developed its Inclusive Fitness Specialist Course which focuses on the design of inclusive fitness programs that meet the unique needs of individuals with disabilities. Exercise scientists are also using recreational activities to improve the physical and cognitive functioning of individuals with disabilities. This involves the interdisciplinary pairing of the basic principles of kinesiology with the knowledge and skills utilized in the fields of therapeutic recreation and adaptive physical education.

To learn more about the Kinesiology Program in the School of Kinesiology at George Mason University, please visit the program website.