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At the conclusion of this chapter, the student should be able
to:
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- 1. Define kinesiology and explain its importance to the
student of human motion.
- 2. Describe the major components of a kinesiological analysis.
- 3. Prepare a description of a selected motor skill, breaking
it down into component phases and identifying starting and ending
points.
- 4. Determine the simultaneous-sequential nature of a variety
of movement skills.
- 5. Classify motor skills using the classification system presented.
- 6. State the mechanical purpose of a variety of movement skills.
- 7. Utilize methods of observation and palpation to identify
the joints and basic muscle groups active in a movement skill.
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Kinesiology, as it is known in
physical education, athletic training, physical therapy, orthopedics,
and physical medicine, is the study of human movement from the point
of view of the physical sciences. The study of the human body as
a machine for the performance of work has its foundations in three major
areas of study—namely, mechanics, anatomy, and physiology;
more specifically, biomechanics, musculoskeletal anatomy, and neuromuscular
physiology. The accumulated knowledge of these three fields forms
the foundation for the study of human movement.
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Some authorities refer to kinesiology as a science in its own
right; others claim that it should be called a study rather than
a true science because the principles on which it is based are derived from
basic sciences such as anatomy, physiology, and physics. In any
event, its unique contribution is that it selects from many sciences
those principles that are pertinent to human motion and systematizes
their application. However it may be categorized, to the inquiring
student it is a door opening into a whole new world of discovery
and appreciation. Human motion, which most of us have taken for
granted all our lives, is seen through new eyes. One who gives it
any thought whatever cannot help being impressed not only by the
beauty of human motion but also by its apparently infinite possibilities,
its meaningfulness, its orderliness, its adaptability to the surrounding environment.
Nothing is haphazard; nothing is left to chance. Every structure
that participates in the movements of the body does so according
to physical and physiological principles. The student of kinesiology,
like the student of anatomy, physiology, psychology, genetics, and
other biological sciences, can only look with wonder at the intricate
mechanism of the body.
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Kinesiology is not studied merely to incite our interest in a
fascinating and mysterious subject. It has a useful purpose. We
study kinesiology to improve performance by learning how to analyze the
movements of the human body and to discover their underlying principles.
The study of kinesiology is an essential part of the educational
experience of students of physical education, dance, sport, and
physical medicine. Knowledge of kinesiology has a threefold purpose
for practitioners in any of these fields. It should enable them
to help their students or ...