Athletic Training Education and Kinesiology: Two Disciplines Linked by the Science of Human Movement

When you stop and think about how the body moves, it is an incredible feat. Our bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nervous system work together to enable us to do even the simplest of movements. If any one of these components is not working properly, a person’s movement will be erratic, uncoordinated, and unbalanced. The study of the intricate science behind the mechanics of human movement is called kinesiology. It serves as the foundation for many sub-fields including biomechanics, nutrition, exercise physiology, strength training and conditioning, and sports psychology, among others. The knowledge obtained through the study of kinesiology is also the basis for certain specializations in the allied health professions. One of these is athletic training, which involves the diagnosis, assessment, treatment, and care of acute or chronic injuries that can impair an individual’s full functioning and mobility.

No matter which specialization named above may interest you, all require a thorough understanding of the concepts of kinesiology. The discipline of kinesiology demystifies the science of how physiology, anatomy, motor control, motivation, and other factors affect an individual’s physical performance in occupational, athletic, and military settings, or even in everyday life. An overview of kinesiology and athletic training was recently provided by faculty from the School of Kinesiology at George Mason University. Sharing their thoughts on this topic were Professor Amanda Caswell, Director of the Athletic Training Education Program, and Associate Professor Debra Stroiney, Academic Program Coordinator (Graduate) of the Kinesiology Program.

The Importance of Providing Athletes with Immediate Care Delivered by an Athletic Trainer

Most people think that athletic trainers work primarily within a sports setting. You will find athletic trainers working in high schools, colleges, and at professional level sporting events. Their role in these settings is to provide preventative care aimed at avoiding player injury. Athletic trainers also respond in real time to serious injuries and emergencies that players may experience on-site during a game and they offer subsequent rehabilitative therapeutic services. Having access to an athletic trainer on-site when the need arises can significantly improve the recovery process for a player who has sustained an injury.

Athletic trainers can be found working in allied health professions.

Athletic trainers, however, are employed in a wide range of other settings beyond traditional sports environments. One place you will find athletic trainers is within a hospital or orthopedic sports clinic where they will be providing rehabilitative treatment, therapeutic interventions, and care for individuals who may have suffered an injury or have a condition that diminishes their ability to be physically active. Athletic trainers are recognized by the American Medical Association and certified for licensure in all but two states across the country. They are an integral part of a health care team and work alongside physicians and other medical professionals.

Non-traditional employment settings for athletic trainers can include factories and construction sites.

In other settings, athletic trainers can be found working in industrial environments such as factories and construction sites where they provide medical assistance to employees who may be injured on the job. The public safety realm is another area where athletic trainers are hired to provide medical support to tactical athletes including first responders, law enforcement officers, and military personnel. Individuals in these occupations work in high-stress, physically demanding conditions that can pose a significant risk of injury.

Performing Arts Medicine

Athletic trainers also work with dancers, musicians, vocalists, and other performing artists to help them prevent musculoskeletal injury and provide rehabilitative services if an injury occurs. Performing artists face the same physical demands and risk of injury as sports athletes—a fact that has prompted some professional entertainment companies to hire in-house athletic trainers. Not only can the immediate access to an athletic trainer minimize the risk of injury to performers, but it can result in cost savings to entertainment companies. For example, according to this factsheet, two dance companies realized approximately $10,000 per year in savings with the addition of an internal athletic training program.

Kinesiology is the starting point from which other specializations involving human movement emerge.

It is no surprise that most athletic trainers begin their careers by studying kinesiology. An education in kinesiology provides them with a comprehensive understanding of the principles of human movement—knowledge that is essential in performing the duties of an athletic trainer. But not everyone who studies kinesiology decides to become an athletic trainer. An education in kinesiology can prepare you for a career as a fitness professional, a physical or occupational therapist, a strength and conditioning coach, an exercise physiologist, and many other professions, including becoming a researcher in the study of human movement.

Research in kinesiology will lead to future discoveries improving human health and well-being.

An individual who pursues a PhD in kinesiology can do research that will improve the lives of ordinary people. One critical area of research in kinesiology taking place at George Mason focuses on how to prevent falls in older adults with intellectual disabilities. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls among adults 65 and older caused over 38,000 fatalities in 2021. This research on falls contributes to the knowledge base on a serious public health problem for the elderly. Kinesiology researchers are also studying how wearable technology can play a role in monitoring a person’s hydration status in real time. This research can have important implications for tactical athletes who work in harsh and demanding environments where dehydration can significantly impair their ability to perform effectively. These are two examples of the type of research individuals can do in kinesiology. It is a discipline that holds the promise of improving the health and well-being of many people.

To learn more about degree offerings in the Athletic Training Education and Kinesiology Programs within the School of Kinesiology at George Mason University, please visit the program websites.