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Coffey, Jenna Russo

College of Education and Social Services

2008

MEd

The first chapter of the book provides the Introduction to Kinesiology, including: basic definitions and terminology commonly used throughout the practice of kinesiology. The beginning of this textbook also includes an introduction the qualitative measurements, which is used in referring to the descriptive and analyzable components of movement. More importantly, it provides the necessary information needed to plan and perform a qualitative analysis. Quantitative measurement is used in describing performances by way of measurable variables. It is a more scientific, publishable, and predictable analysis than the qualitative approach. In researching and comparing quantitative and qualitative analyses and methods, one will find that the most recognizable difference among the two is that quantitative is an objective way of studying, analyzing and measuring a performance. When objectively analyzing a performance, the analyzer or competitor has a planned or intended outcome. Qualitative analysis is extremely more subjective; that in which it places more of a value on a particular individual's performance.
The second chapter starts with the objective of guiding one in gaining and understanding the importance of kinesiology in everyday life. It is backed by strong research that was completed on the historical development and contributions in kinesiology, including the great kinesiologists in history and also in the evolution of measurement in human movement. Its long history spans the lives of Archimedes (287-212 BC), Galen (131-201 AD, deemed "the father of sports medicine"), Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo, Newton, on up to Dr George Goodhart, DC, who brought into our language Applied Kinesiology in 1964. Chapter three explores the measurement system that is utilized throughout the kinesiology field. Learning objectives consist of The English System and The Metric System (Systeme Internationale, SI), conversion factors in measurement, the specific units of measurement and their prefixes. With the gaining of the measurement system it allows one to further implement the process of qualitative and quantitative analysis within kinesiology research.
In order to gain a complete understanding of human movement, we must approach the topic from a physiological, biomechanical, psychological, and sociological perspective. In reading Kinesiology: The Study of Movement you not only will you begin to understand how and why we move, but gain knowledge on how we can optimize the human potential for movement and skilled performance.