Movement is prevalent in everything that you do, from voluntary contractions, which are produced consciously (like when you tell your body to move a finger to pick up your phone), to involuntary contractions, like your heart beating or food digesting. Your body’s ability to move well and efficiently as you age can have an enormous impact on your physical attributes, competence to perform, posture, and health. Limited movement due to environmental factors, lifestyle, or physical impairments can influence the body and how it moves in your day-to-day life. Learning to understand how your body moves, or how to improve these behaviours, can be beneficial to maintaining movement over your lifetime. The French philosopher and scientist Blaise Pascal famously said, “Our nature consists in motion; complete rest is death.” Movement is now more important than ever, as current lifestyle practices have evolved for us to lead very sedentary lives, which is affecting our overall long-term health.
The study of human movement, known as kinesiology, looks at both the science and art of movement and spans hundreds of years. Kinesiology incorporates knowledge about biomechanics, anatomy and physiology, psychology, motor behaviours, and motor skills. The study of movement has a place in many professions, from sport-specific training in the health and fitness sectors to rehabilitation and physical therapy, as well as engineering and education applications. Understanding movement and the associated muscle and joint actions has a place in the world of personal training, so we can understand how the body is capable of moving under load. As you progress through life, the physical skills you learn (such as crawling, running, kicking, throwing, and jumping) all impact your motor learning and behaviours. These skills can be impacted by your anatomical or genetic make-up, physical abilities, and competency.