What is the difference between biomechanics and exercise physiology

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You could not be signed in. Sign In Forgot password? People with training in kinesiology go on to work in professions such as orthopedics, rehabilitation and physical or occupational therapy. Other career options include wellness consultant, fitness specialist, sports instructor and physical education instructor.

Common duties in these areas include evaluating injuries, developing a rehabilitation program, conducting fitness assessments and implementing injury-prevention programs. Exercise physiologists work in health promotion and fitness development. They develop specific exercise programs for their clients so they can improve their athleticism or recover from injury. They are concerned with the body's physiological response to exercise in the promotion of health. Exercise is associated with a reduced risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

This may include a multitude of individual career paths and specialties. Kinesiology may include training individuals to improve their fitness, managing a sports team, helping patients recover from injury or running a gym. Some individuals with this background spend their time in laboratories learning how joints move differently in microgravity or how repetitive injuries happen and can be prevented. Subfields of kinesiology can include:. People who choose to make a career in kinesiology can do so in nearly every sector of the economy.

Kinesiology professionals may work in government agencies, private companies or nonprofit organizations. They can make their careers within the world of professional athletics or in hospitals and outpatient centers. One of the major benefits of this field is its flexibility and potential to have a positive impact on a range of individuals.

Each profession has a rich history of caring for people, promoting health and assisting in pain. However, as the landscape of healthcare evolves so is how we understand and approach pain management. A typical explanation of each profession describes how they differ.

There are also differences in the way professionals will use their skills and treatment within the same profession. I would consider myself one of these people given I am an osteopath that uses manual therapy quite sparsely in my consultations. At The Biomechanics, we believe if the practitioner you are seeing is following best practice guidelines and following up to date evidence then it should not matter whether they are a physio, osteo or an exercise physiologist.

Each profession is qualified to assist with injury rehabilitation, however for chronic illness and disease for example, diabetes and cardiovascular disease , typically an exercise physiologist is who you would work with. In Australia, we are lucky to have access to a variety of allied health professionals. This is especially beneficial as research shows care given by a team of practitioners of different professions results in improved outcomes 1.