What is a Biokineticist?
A Biokineticist is a medical therapist that specialises in exercise and rehabilitation.
Biokinetics as a recognised profession:
Biokinetics is a recognised, as well as registered, profession with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
As a result Biokineticists function in professional alliance with other health practitioners/professionals such as Specialist Physicians, Doctors, Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists.
What does a Biokineticist do?
A Biokineticist improves an individual’s physical health status and quality of life through individualised assessment and exercise prescription.
Biokineticists are capable of working in many different areas including rehabilitation of pathology/injury, health promotion, as well as performance enhancement.
A Biokineticist has two primary roles. 1) Scientific assessment and 2) Exercise prescription.
A Biokineticist is qualified to evaluate and measure: body posture, body composition, blood pressure, heart rate, physical fitness, muscle strength, endurance, power, flexibility, as well as other health screenings.
Once an initial screening has been conducted a Biokineticist will then prescribe appropriate exercises for: Rehabilitation, fitness and wellness, or high performance.
How do I choose a Biokineticist?
For more information on the decision making process involved in selecting a Biokineticist: How do I choose my Biokineticist?
A Biokineticist can assist with the following
- Rehabilitation for orthopaedic conditions
- Prescribing medically appropriate exercise for the prevention and attenuation of chronic disease
- Health promotion and exercise prescription for general wellness
- Exercise testing and high performance conditioning for athletes
The goal of Biokinetics
To improve a person’s physical well-being, and quality of life, through individualised exercise prescription.
Adapted from: http://www.biokinetics.org.za
Biokinetics Rehabilitation:
- Orthopaedic rehabilitation
- Sports conditioning
- Exercise prescription
- Hydrotherapy
- Foot/ankle rehabilitation
- Hip/pelvis rehabilitation
- Back rehabilitation
- Shoulder rehabilitation
- Knee rehabilitation
- Cardiac rehabilitation
- Stroke rehabilitation
- Amputee conditioning
- Surfing conditioning
- Dancing conditioning
- Water polo conditioning
- Swimming conditioning
- Rugby conditioning
Services offered:
- Strengthening and conditioning before surgery
- Rehabilitation after surgery
- Conservative treatment to avoid surgery
- Injury rehabilitation for athletes
- Sports conditioning for athletes
- Exercise programmes for the gym
- Hydrotherapy exercises
- Exercise training for specific population groups (Cardiac, diabetic, arthritic, obese, elderly, amputee, special needs, and respiratory disorder patients)
BASA – Biokinetics Association of South Africa
For more information on Biokinetics, ethical dilemmas, internship accreditation, internship facilities, annual fees, and general Biokinetics matters visit:
BASA Biokinetics Association of South Africa
BASA WC – BASA Western Cape
For more information on upcoming events, up coming courses, internship facilities in the Western Cape, contact details of colleagues and other Biokinetics pracitces, CPD points, and Biokinetics admin contact: