HealthcareHealth professionalsISCO 2269
kinesiologist
Kinesiologists study and research the movement of the body; its muscles and parts. They analyse and use scientific data and methods to improve body motion, generally in humans, through an understanding of such areas as physiology, kinetics, neurology, and biology. They recognise the effects that some factors, such as body condition, have on motion and develop solutions to improve overall mechanics and mobility.
About kinesiologist
As a kinesiologist, you will study and analyze human movement, working to understand how the body's muscles, joints, and neurological systems function together. Your work involves applying scientific research and biomechanical analysis to identify movement inefficiencies, injuries, or limitations, and developing evidence-based solutions to improve physical performance and mobility. You might work in clinical rehabilitation settings, research institutions, sports performance centers, or wellness facilities, conducting laboratory tests, analyzing movement patterns using advanced technology, and working with clients ranging from injury recovery patients to elite athletes. This profession is increasingly important as understanding movement mechanics helps prevent injuries, optimize recovery, and enhance quality of life. Career prospects are excellent in the Polish market as awareness of movement science, injury prevention, and personalized fitness grows, with opportunities to advance into research leadership, clinical management, or specialized sports science roles.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a kinesiologist.
1
Conduct biomechanical and movement analysis
- Use advanced motion capture technology and video analysis to assess movement patterns and identify deviations from optimal mechanics
- Perform laboratory tests measuring muscle strength, flexibility, coordination, and cardiovascular function
- Analyze the effects of factors such as body composition, posture, injury history, and neuromuscular control on movement quality
- Document and compare assessment data to establish baseline measurements and track progress over time
2
Develop and implement intervention programmes
- Design personalized exercise and training programmes targeting specific movement dysfunctions or performance goals
- Provide education to clients on proper movement patterns, ergonomics, and injury prevention strategies
- Monitor client progress through regular reassessment and adjust programmes based on response and outcomes
- Collaborate with physicians, physical therapists, and coaches to ensure integrated rehabilitation and performance optimization
3
Conduct scientific research and data analysis
- Design research studies investigating movement, performance, or rehabilitation outcomes using rigorous scientific methodology
- Collect, manage, and analyze kinesiological data using statistical software and specialized research tools
- Interpret findings and communicate results through scientific papers, conference presentations, and professional publications
4
Provide professional consultation and education
- Advise sports organizations, fitness facilities, and health institutions on movement assessment programmes and training optimization
- Conduct workshops and seminars for athletes, coaches, health professionals, and the public on biomechanics and injury prevention
- Stay current with literature and best practices, disseminating evidence-based knowledge to professional communities
5
Maintain equipment and manage laboratory operations
- Calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment used for movement analysis and physiological testing
- Ensure compliance with laboratory safety standards and quality assurance protocols
- Manage data systems, software updates, and secure storage of research and client information
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (46)
nutritionnutritionThe science that investigates the various substances and nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, tannins, anthocyanins, vitamins, and minerals) and their interaction in food products.human physiologyhuman physiologyThe science that studies the human organs and its interactions and mechanisms.kineticskineticsThe study of movement and its causes.neurologyneurologyNeurology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.research designresearch designThe set of methods and techniques of research that are used to conduct a study. It includes practical steps in research such as purpose statement, data collection, methodology, and data analysis.biomechanicsbiomechanicsThe use of mechanical means to understand the function and structure of biological organisms.biologybiologyTissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.human anatomyhuman anatomyThe dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and ...scientific modellingscientific modellingScientific activity consisting in selecting the relevant aspects of a situation and aiming to represent physical processes, empirical objects and phenomena to allow a better understanding, visualisati...kinesiologykinesiologyThe study of human movement, performance and function, the sciences of biomechanics, anatomy, physiology and neuroscience.scientific research methodologyscientific research methodologyThe theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.kinanthropometrykinanthropometryThe study that links human anatomy to movement by investigating factors that include body size, shape, and composition. It is this application of biological data that shows how movement is influenced.draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentationdraft scientific or academic papers and technical documentationDraft and edit scientific, academic or technical texts on different subjects.manage research datamanage research dataProduce and analyse scientific data originating from qualitative and quantitative research methods. Store and maintain the data in research databases. Support the re-use of scientific data and be fami...perform laboratory testsperform laboratory testsCarry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.interact professionally in research and professional environmentsinteract professionally in research and professional environmentsShow consideration to others as well as collegiality. Listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others, also involving staff supervision and leadership in a professional setting.disseminate results to the scientific communitydisseminate results to the scientific communityPublicly disclose scientific results by any appropriate means, including conferences, workshops, colloquia and scientific publications.operate open source softwareoperate open source softwareOperate Open Source software, knowing the main Open Source models, licensing schemes, and the coding practices commonly adopted in the production of Open Source software.speak different languagesspeak different languagesMaster foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.maintain laboratory equipmentmaintain laboratory equipmentClean laboratory glassware and other equipment after use and it for damage or corrosion in order to ensure its proper functioning.evaluate research activitiesevaluate research activitiesReview proposals, progress, impact and outcomes of peer researchers, including through open peer review.demonstrate disciplinary expertisedemonstrate disciplinary expertiseDemonstrate deep knowledge and complex understanding of a specific research area, including responsible research, research ethics and scientific integrity principles, privacy and GDPR requirements, re...increase the impact of science on policy and societyincrease the impact of science on policy and societyInfluence evidence-informed policy and decision making by providing scientific input to and maintaining professional relationships with policymakers and other stakeholders.manage findable accessible interoperable and reusable datamanage findable accessible interoperable and reusable dataProduce, describe, store, preserve and (re) use scientific data based on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, making data as open as possible, and as closed as necessar...perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.apply for research fundingapply for research fundingIdentify key relevant funding sources and prepare research grant application in order to obtain funds and grants. Write research proposals.apply safety procedures in laboratoryapply safety procedures in laboratoryMake sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.apply scientific methodsapply scientific methodsApply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.calibrate laboratory equipmentcalibrate laboratory equipmentCalibrate laboratory equipment by comparing between measurements: one of known magnitude or correctness, made with a trusted device and a second measurement from another piece of laboratory equipment....apply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activitiesapply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activitiesApply fundamental ethical principles and legislation to scientific research, including issues of research integrity. Perform, review, or report research avoiding misconducts such as fabrication, falsi...promote open innovation in researchpromote open innovation in researchApply techniques, models, methods and strategies which contribute to the promotion of steps towards innovation through collaboration with people and organizations outside the organisation.gather experimental datagather experimental dataCollect data resulting from the application of scientific methods such as test methods, experimental design or measurements.publish academic researchpublish academic researchConduct academic research, in universities and research institutions, or on a personal account, publish it in books or academic journals with the aim of contributing to a field of expertise and achiev...promote the transfer of knowledgepromote the transfer of knowledgeDeploy broad awareness of processes of knowledge valorisation aimed to maximise the two–way flow of technology, intellectual property, expertise and capability between the research base and industry o...think abstractlythink abstractlyDemonstrate the ability to use concepts in order to make and understand generalisations, and relate or connect them to other items, events, or experiences.mentor individualsmentor individualsMentor individuals by providing emotional support, sharing experiences and giving advice to the individual to help them in their personal development, as well as adapting the support to the specific n...manage personal professional developmentmanage personal professional developmentTake responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional developmen...correct potentially harmful movementscorrect potentially harmful movementsRecognise when a particpant performs a movement that could cause short or long term damage to the body. Respond with verbal instructions and/or physical demonstration to ensure competence is achieved.write scientific publicationswrite scientific publicationsPresent the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.develop professional network with researchers and scientistsdevelop professional network with researchers and scientistsDevelop alliances, contacts or partnerships, and exchange information with others. Foster integrated and open collaborations where different stakeholders co-create shared value research and innovation...integrate gender dimension in researchintegrate gender dimension in researchTake into account in the whole research process the biological characteristics and the evolving social and cultural features of women and men (gender).perform project managementperform project managementManage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project's progress in order to achieve a specific g...manage open publicationsmanage open publicationsBe familiar with Open Publication strategies, with the use of information technology to support research, and with the development and management of CRIS (current research information systems) and ins...synthesise informationsynthesise informationCritically read, interpret, and summarise new and complex information from diverse sources.conduct research across disciplinesconduct research across disciplinesWork and use research findings and data across disciplinary and/or functional boundaries.communicate with a non-scientific audiencecommunicate with a non-scientific audienceCommunicate about scientific findings to a non-scientific audience, including the general public. Tailor the communication of scientific concepts, debates, findings to the audience, using a variety of...
Optional (31)
occupational physiologyoccupational physiologyThe complex physiology of specific jobs and its relation to disorders and medical conditions and the way to optimize health, work ability, and productivity.biological chemistrybiological chemistryBiological chemistry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.exercise physiologyexercise physiologyThe effect of exercise on pathology and how the exercise can mitigate or reverse disease progression.sport psychologysport psychologyThe subfield of psychology that focuses on using psychology-related knowledge for the well-being of athletes. It deals also with social aspects of sports participation and systemic issues in sports or...psychomotor therapypsychomotor therapyPsychomotor observation and therapy in adults, children and persons with an intellectual disability meant to tackle the psychiatric problems of a person.rehabilitationrehabilitationThe methods and procedures used to help an ill or injured person restore lost skills and regain self-sufficiency and control.therapeutic massagetherapeutic massageMassage techniques used to relieve pain and alleviate other symptoms associated with a number of different medical conditions.kinesitherapykinesitherapyThe use of therapeutic muscle movements in treating disease and illness.pathologypathologyThe components of a disease, the cause, mechanisms of development, morphologic changes, and the clinical consequences of those changes.osteopathyosteopathyThe type of alternative medicine which manipulates the body`s muscle tissues, joints and bones.acupuncture methodsacupuncture methodsTechniques and methods used to normalise the flow of Qi energy in the body for relieving pain and related symptoms by applying various specific types of needles into different acupuncture points.ergonomicsergonomicsThe science of designing systems, processes and products that complement the strengths of people so that they can use them easily and safely.write research proposalswrite research proposalsSynthetise and write proposals aiming to solve research problems. Draft the proposal baseline and objectives, the estimated budget, risks and impact. Document the advances and new developments on the ...attend sports trainingattend sports trainingAttend scheduled practice or training sessions.prepare lesson contentprepare lesson contentPrepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.assist patients with rehabilitationassist patients with rehabilitationAssist to develop and restore patient`s body systems, their neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and respiratory systems, helping them in the rehabilitation process.assist in performing physical exercisesassist in performing physical exercisesPrescribe and assist physical exercises to help increase strength and dexterity.assist in clinical trialsassist in clinical trialsWork with fellow scientists on clinical trials in order to improve medical methods for preventing, detecting, diagnosing, or treating diseases.perform lecturesperform lecturesPresent lectures to various groups.teach in academic or vocational contextsteach in academic or vocational contextsInstruct students in the theory and practice of academic or vocational subjects, transferring the content of own and others' research activities.contribute to the rehabilitation processcontribute to the rehabilitation processContribute to the rehabilitation process to enhance activity, functioning and participation using a person-centered and evidence-based approach.create exercise programmes for health riskscreate exercise programmes for health risksDevelop physical exercise programmes for individuals at risk or persons with adverse health conditions.develop scientific theoriesdevelop scientific theoriesFormulate scientific theories based on empirical observations, gathered data and theories of other scientists.develop scientific research protocolsdevelop scientific research protocolsDevelop and record the procedural method used for a specific scientific experiment in order to enable its replication.archive scientific documentationarchive scientific documentationStore documents such as protocols, analysis results and scientific data using archiving systems to enable scientists and engineers to take methods and results from previous studies into account for th...create a diet plancreate a diet planPlan and implement a personalised diet plan to best improve an individual's body movement.provide individual exercise programmesprovide individual exercise programmesProvide a range of exercise programmes in accordance with the needs of the clients by applying principles of exercise programming, and modifying and moderating as necessary to support effective and sa...develop patient treatment strategiesdevelop patient treatment strategiesConsult with fellow doctors and scientists in order to find the appropriate and most effective treatment for each individual patient.deal with challenging peopledeal with challenging peopleWork safely and communicate effectively with individuals and groups of people who are in challenging circumstances. This would include recognition of signs of aggression, distress, threatening and how...psychologypsychologyThe human behaviour and performance with individual differences in ability, personality, interests, learning, and motivation.apply blended learningapply blended learningBe familiar with blended learning tools by combining traditional face-to-face and online learning, using digital tools, online technologies, and e-learning methods.
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