You’ve probably heard the phrase ‘human kinetics’ and thought, what does that actually mean? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people have only a vague idea of what the term refers to. In this article, we’ll explain exactly what human kinetics is all about in easy-to-understand language. We’ll provide clear definitions, interesting examples, and discuss how the field applies to sports, exercise, and physical activity.
With this knowledge in hand, you’ll have a solid understanding of this fascinating subject and be able to confidently use the term and concepts in conversation.
What Is Human Kinetics?
Human kinetics is the study of human movement and physical activity. It focuses on how our bodies work during exercise and physical exertion. It is also known as biomechanics or kinesiology.
Areas of Study
Some of the major areas of study in human kinetics include:
- Biomechanics: How our muscles, bones, and joints function to produce movement.
- Exercise physiology: How our bodies adapt and respond to physical activity and exercise. This includes changes in circulation, respiration, and energy production.
- Motor learning: How we develop, learn, and perfect motor skills and movement patterns.
- Psychology of sport and exercise: How psychological factors like motivation, confidence, and anxiety influence our physical performance and participation in sport and exercise.
In summary, human kinetics aims to optimize human movement and physical performance to promote health, enjoyment, and excellence. By understanding how our bodies work during physical activity, we can develop better training, rehabilitation, education, equipment, and work environments.
Key Principles of Human Kinetics
Human kinetics is the application of the laws of mechanics and physics to human movement. Here are the key principles that govern it:
1. Equilibrium
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Your body constantly makes tiny adjustments to maintain balance and stability.
2. Inertia
Objects at rest stay at rest and objects in motion stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. Your body has to overcome inertia to start moving and also has to apply brakes to stop moving.
3. Momentum
The quantity of motion of a moving body, measured as a product of its mass and velocity. The more momentum an object has, the harder it is to stop. That’s why it’s harder to stop a boulder rolling down a hill versus a pebble.
4. Acceleration
The rate of change of velocity of an object. How fast an object’s velocity is changing determines the force required to accelerate or decelerate it. The greater the acceleration or deceleration, the greater the force required.
5. Action-Reaction Pairs
For every force acting on an object, there is an equal force acting in the opposite direction. When you jump, your body exerts a force on the ground and the ground exerts an equal force back.
6. Levers
A lever is a rigid bar that pivots on a fulcrum. Levers are used to provide mechanical advantage, allowing a small force to move a large load. Your limbs and joints act as levers in the body.
7. Torque
The turning effect of a force. The farther a force is applied from the pivot point, the greater the torque. Your muscles apply torque to create rotation at your joints.
What is the difference between Human Kinetics and Kinesiology?
Human kinetics is also known as kinesiology. It is the study of human movement and physical activity. Kinesiology aims to understand how the human body functions and moves. It encompasses the biological, psychological, and social aspects relating to human movement.
Professionals in this field are called kinesiologists. They work to promote health, fitness, and wellness. Kinesiologists use their knowledge to prevent injury, treat chronic diseases, rehabilitate injuries, and enhance performance. They design exercise programs tailored to individual needs.
Some common areas of study in kinesiology include biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor control, exercise psychology, and nutrition. Kinesiology is an interdisciplinary field that also draws from disciplines like anatomy, physiology, physics, and psychology.
In summary, human kinetics and kinesiology refer to the same interdisciplinary study of human movement and physical activity. Kinesiology aims to understand how and why we move in the ways we do.
Examples of Human Kinetics Concepts
These are some of the Examples of human kinetics:
Body Movements
The ways in which parts of the human body move in relation to each other, such as walking, jumping or reaching.
Locomotion
The ability to move from one place to another under our own power, such as walking, running, climbing stairs or swimming.
Balance
The ability to remain upright and stable, to not fall over. It involves muscles, bones, vision, the inner ear, and proprioception.
Coordination
The ability to execute smooth and accurate movements, such as hand-eye coordination needed for catching a ball or the leg-arm coordination needed for walking.
Flexibility
The ability to move joints through their full range of motion. Flexibility allows us a greater freedom and ease of movement.
Strength
The ability of muscles to exert force against resistance. Strength allows us to lift, push, pull and carry objects.
Endurance
The ability to continue an activity for an extended period of time without fatiguing. Endurance allows us to walk, jog, cycle or swim long distances.
Power
The ability to exert maximum force in as short a time as possible, such as during jumping, sprinting or throwing. Power allows for explosive movements.
Agility
The ability to change the position and direction of the whole body in space with speed and accuracy. Agility allows us to dodge, pivot and move swiftly and efficiently.
Examples of Human Kinetics in Action
1. Throwing a ball
When throwing a ball, your body utilizes kinetic energy generated through physical movement to propel the ball forward.
2. Running
As you run, your legs push off the ground, utilizing kinetic energy to propel your body forward. Your arms also swing to help maintain balance, demonstrating human kinetics.
3. Dancing
The rhythmic movements involved in dancing are a prime example of human kinetics. As you sway, spin, and leap, your muscles are activating and deactivating in a coordinated fashion to generate the kinetic energy required for the movements.
4. Exercise
Any form of exercise, from biking to weight lifting, requires the generation and utilization of kinetic energy through human movement and muscle activation. The more intense the exercise, the more kinetic energy is produced and expended.
5. Walking up stairs
With each step up a flight of stairs, your leg muscles contract to lift your body weight against gravity, demonstrating how human kinetics powers everyday movements.
6. Chopping vegetables
The repetitive motion of raising and lowering a knife to chop vegetables is enabled by the activation and deactivation of muscles in your arms, demonstrating basic human kinetics.
7. Brushing your teeth
Even the simple act of brushing your teeth requires the coordinated movement of your arm and hand, powered by kinetic energy generated through muscle activation and deactivation.
8. Typing
The quick, precise movements of your fingers flying over a keyboard demonstrate how the basic principles of human kinetics govern both simple and complex physical acts. Muscle memory and practice combine to generate the kinetic energy for rapid finger movements and keystrokes.
The Benefits of Studying Human Kinetics
Human Kinetics is the study of human movement and physical activity. Some of the key benefits of studying this interdisciplinary field are:
- Learn about human anatomy and physiology. You gain knowledge of how the human body works which helps in fields like physical therapy, coaching and biomechanics.
- Develop practical skills. You learn skills applicable to various careers like how to assess fitness, design exercise programs and coach individuals.
- Promote health and wellness. The study of human kinetics provides knowledge and skills to help individuals adopt and maintain active and healthy lifestyles.
- Explore interconnections. You gain an understanding of the interrelationships between physical activity, health, society and the environment.
- Pursue various career opportunities. Degrees in human kinetics can lead to jobs as personal trainers, physical education teachers, sport coaches, athletic therapists and exercise physiologists.
- Help people reach their potential. You gain the competence to assist individuals achieve and maximize physical potential and performance.
- Work with diverse groups. You learn how to design exercise and wellness programs for people of all ages, abilities and activity levels.
- Develop transferable skills. Skills such as communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork are useful across various fields of employment.
In summary, the benefits of studying human kinetics are both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that can lead to personally and professionally rewarding careers focused on health, physical activity and human potential.
Human Kinetics Degree and Career Options in Nigeria
Human kinetics is an interdisciplinary field of study focused on human movement and physical activity. A degree in Human Kinetics prepares you for various careers in health, fitness, and sports. Some options in Nigeria include:
- Exercise Physiologist: Help clients develop exercise plans to improve health and fitness. Conduct fitness assessments and monitor progress.
- Personal Trainer: Develop and lead exercise programs tailored to clients’ needs. Help people achieve fitness and wellness goals through exercise and lifestyle changes.
- Recreation Program Coordinator: Organize and facilitate recreational activities and events. Create programs for all ages at gyms, community centers, camps, etc.
- Health Promotion Specialist: Develop and implement programs to promote health, wellness, and safety. Educate communities about health topics and encourage healthy behaviors.
- Physical Therapist: Help patients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities improve and restore mobility and function. Use exercise, massage, and other techniques to relieve pain, increase strength and range of motion.
- Occupational Therapist: Help clients with injuries or disabilities participate in daily activities. Develop and implement treatment plans using exercise, adaptive equipment, changes to environments, and lifestyle adjustments.
- Sports Coach: Instruct and train athletes to help them improve skills and achieve maximum performance. Develop practice plans and strategies for competition. Motivate and inspire players.
- Recreation Therapist: Use recreational activities to help patients with illnesses or disabilities recover physical, social, emotional and cognitive abilities. Work with people of all ages in healthcare facilities, community centers and residential homes.
In summary, human kinetics covers a wide range of topics related to movement, physical activity and sport. Its multidisciplinary nature allows for a holistic understanding of human motion and its importance for health, education and high performance.
What is the Difference Between Human Kinetics and Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy focuses on rehabilitation and treatment of injuries or illnesses, whereas human kinetics aims to improve general health and performance. Physiotherapists diagnose and treat conditions like muscle strains or fractures using targeted techniques like massage, heat, and exercise therapy. In contrast, human kinetics specialists take a broader view of biomechanics and physical activity, developing programs that enhance movement, coordination, balance, and endurance.
While physiotherapists are often medically trained, human kinetics professionals typically have degrees in fields like kinesiology, human kinetics and health education, or exercise science. Their expertise centers on optimizing physical potential and achieving peak performance. Physiotherapy seeks to restore function, human kinetics pursues fitness. The former helps injured athletes get back in the game, the latter helps all people gain strength, flexibility and improve their quality of life.
In summary, physiotherapy treats medical problems, human kinetics promotes wellness. One rehabilitates, the other enhances. Both disciplines study human movement, but approach it from different perspectives. Physiotherapy aims to fix what’s broken, human kinetics builds upon what’s working.
How Many Years Course is Human Kinetics in Nigeria?
In Nigeria, the typical Human Kinetics undergraduate degree program takes three to four years of full-time study to complete. Some universities offer Human Kinetics as a concentration or specialization within a general Bachelor of Science degree, while others offer dedicated B.Sc (Ed.) Human kinetic.
The program curriculum usually includes a mix of theory- and practice-based courses covering areas such as human anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, motor learning, sport psychology, and physical education. Students gain hands-on experience through internships, field work, and lab components. The program aims to provide a broad understanding of human movement and how to apply that knowledge in fields like coaching, fitness instruction, and rehabilitation.
After earning their bachelor’s degree, Human Kinetics students in Nigeria may pursue career opportunities as physical education teachers, athletic coaches, personal trainers, recreation specialists, and in some areas of sports medicine or occupational therapy. The knowledge and skills developed in the program can also provide a strong foundation for graduate study in fields like Physiotherapy, Sports Management or Exercise Science.
In summary, an undergraduate degree in Human Kinetics in Nigeria typically takes 3 to 4 years of full-time study to complete. The interdisciplinary curriculum covers both theory and practical aspects of human movement and prepares students for careers promoting physical activity, sports, health and wellness.
What Subjects are Required for Human Kinetics in JAMB?
To study Human Kinetics, you’ll need to take four required subjects for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam in Nigeria:
English Language: As Nigeria’s official language, proficiency in English is essential. You’ll take an English Language proficiency test.
Mathematics: You’ll need to demonstrate fundamental math skills that provide a foundation for the quantitative aspects of human kinetics like statistics.
Biology: A strong background in biology, including topics like anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology, is key to understanding human movement and physical activity.
And one subject from Physics, Chemistry, or Social Sciences: Rounding out your subject requirements, you can choose from physics, chemistry or economics to provide a broad knowledge base. Some schools in Nigeria like NOUN require five credit passes in SSCE in Mathematics, English Language and Biology and any other two subjects.
Why is Human Kinetics Important?
Understanding human movement helps us develop effective exercise programs, treat injuries, improve athletic performance, and promote lifelong wellness. Physical inactivity is a global health issue, so this field is crucial for developing strategies to get people moving.
Human kinetics aims to improve human health, society and quality of life through the study and application of human movement. By unlocking the mysteries behind how our bodies work and move, we can achieve our full physical potential.
Conclusion
So there you have it, human kinetics is all about understanding human movement and physical activity. From studying how our muscles and joints work during exercise to researching how to improve sports performance, human kinetics plays a huge role in keeping us healthy and active.
Remember that movement is medicine, so make sure to incorporate regular physical activity into your daily life. Don’t just think about exercise as a means to lose weight or build muscle. Focus on how amazing your body is and how movement makes you feel energized and alive. Moving your body is one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental wellbeing.