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, 工作, 体育运动, 跳舞, 和玩耍, 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, 调查方法, and principles from traditional areas of study in the arts, humanities and sciences. These areas include exercise and 体育运动 biomechanics, 历史, 哲学, 生理学, biochemistry and molecular/cellular 生理学, 心理学, and sociology; motor behavior; measurement; physical fitness; and 体育运动s 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, 研究, coaching and delivery of services related to physical activity and fitness, 健康促进, rehabilitation and 体育运动s medicine. Positions are found in a variety of settings including schools, colleges and universities, public and private agencies, 临床环境, 政府, business and the military.
