Kinesiologist

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Kinesiologists (4167.1) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Recreation, Sports and Fitness Program Supervisors and Consultants (E036) 
• 2011 NOC: Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment (3144) 
• 2016 NOC: Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment (3144) 

Kinesiologists study all aspects (psychological, physiological, biomechanical, historical, and sociological) of human movement in home, work, sport, and recreational settings.

Duties vary a lot in this field. In general, kinesiologists may:

• design athletic equipment and treatment plans (based on client needs)
• manage sports centres
• work in sports management and promotion
• work with athletes to improve their fitness and performance levels
• coach or train athletes on proper mechanics
• lead community health programs
• teach kinesiology
• test seniors’ fitness and mobility levels (to reduce and prevent accidents)
• test clients’ fitness levels (to develop physical activity programs)
• assess cardiac patients and recommend suitable levels of exercise (in consultation with a doctor)
• develop rehabilitation programs (for people with movement disorders)
• run workplace assessments (to reduce losses due to injury and to increase worker productivity).

Research kinesiologists may:

• monitor patients during exercise intervention programs (to make sure the program produces the desired results)
• use technology to run assessments and tests (such as electrocardiographs, metabolic systems, electromyography, biofeedback machines, slow-motion film, and videotapes)
• study the physiological requirements of exercise and related performance and health outcomes
• study the biomechanics and motor control of human movement
• study factors that affect people’s commitment to fitness and rehab programs.

Clinical kinesiologists may:

• assess body structures for problems (including muscular changes, cranial sutures, and spine and hip joints)
• look for neurological and digestive causes of problems
• identify the root causes of problems (to fix the problem and relieve symptoms)
• use hands-on treatments to restore and reset the body.

Kinesiologists often work closely with other health and sport professionals.

Kinesiologists may work outdoors or indoors. They can work in:

• offices
• labs
• recreation centres
• hospitals
• schools
• residential facilities.

The work can be physically demanding. Kinesiologists may do exercises with patients. They may need to move or lift patients who cannot exercise alone.

Research may involve long hours of studying computer output, collecting data, and monitoring exercise programs.

Kinesiologists need to possess:

• self-confidence
• leadership skills
• the ability to think critically
• listening, speaking and writing skills
• patience, tolerance and flexibility
• an interest in keeping up with technology
• teamwork skills
• creativity and adaptability
• an interest in scientific research.

They should enjoy working with people, using equipment, and solving problems.

Kinesiologists work for:

• government programs that serve people with special needs
• companies that make athletic equipment
• elementary and secondary schools
• rehab and occupational health departments
• sports and fitness centres
• professional and amateur sport organizations
• hospitals and health care centres
• post-secondary schools
• sport-governing bodies.

Some self-employed kinesiologists work on a contract basis for more than one employer.

Kinesiologists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 4167: Recreation, sports and fitness program supervisors and consultants. In Alberta, 83% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

• Public Administration [pdf]
• Health Care and Social Assistance [pdf]
• Other Services [pdf]
• Information, Culture and Recreation [pdf].

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events that affect overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities that come up when people leave existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities that come up when new positions are created)
• size of the occupation.

In Alberta, the E036: Recreation, Sports and Fitness Program Supervisors and Consultants occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 1.9% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 40 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Kinesiology Association (AKA) website: albertakinesiology.ca

Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) website: www.csep.ca

Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: www.hsaa.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.