C H A P T E R
1
Shirl J. Hoffman and Janet C. Harris
Chapter 01 Introduction to Kinesiology

Physical Activity Experience
• Consider the following questions about the distinct aspects of the term experience:
– Why are physical activity experiences important, and with what aspects of our lives do they intersect?
– What types of physical activity experiences have been most important in helping you master skill, training, and physical fitness?
– How have your thoughts, emotions, understandings of yourself and others, and the meaning you attach to physical activity, been influenced by your physical activity experiences?

Figure 1.2

Kinesiology Defined
• A discipline focused on human physical activity
• Physical activity knowledge derived from
– experience (participate or observe),
– scholarship (study; ONLY knowledge that is embedded in college or university kinesiology curriculum or in research, which helps ensure the quality and integrity of the knowledge), and
– professional practice (to help others achieve physical activity goals).

Figure 1.3

Physical Activity
• Technical definition does NOT Include human movements that are
– involuntary or
– performed aimlessly and without a specific purpose.
(continued)

Physical Activity (continued)
Technical definition is activity that is
• intentional,
• voluntary, or
• directed toward achieving an identifiable goal.
• Not all movement is physical activity, but all physical activity is movement.

Figure 1.5

Developing an Understanding of Kinesiology
• Experiential knowledge
• Theoretical knowledge
• Professional practice knowledge

Figure 1.8

Experiencing Physical Activity
• Direct participation in physical activity is an important source of kinesiological knowledge.
• Observation of physical activity is also an important source of kinesiological knowledge.

Figure 1.10

Scholarly Study of Physical Activity
• Involves examining physical activity through research and logical, systematic analyses
• Organized within subdisciplines, which have developed into specialized areas of study

Figure 1.12

Physical Activity
Professional Practice
• Putting knowledge to work in physical activity careers
• Some knowledge gained through professional practice incorporated into university classes

Holistic Nature of Kinesiology
Human beings are holistic creatures with interrelated cognitions, emotions, bodies, and souls; therefore one must go beyond the physical aspects of physical activity and include the cognitive, emotional and
spiritual aspects of physical activity.

Preliminary Thinking About
Your Career
• Review and answer the list of questions in your textbook on page 26.
• Ask yourself how prepared you are at this point for a career as a physical activity professional.
• What steps do you still need to take to make sure you are prepared to be successful?