Tag: Neil Hopkins Biokineticist

What is a Biokineticist?

A Biokineticist is a medical therapist that specialises in exercise and exercise rehabilitation.

Is Biokinetics 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 doctors and physiotherapists.*

What does a Biokineticist do?

A Biokineticist improves an individual’s physical status and quality of life through individualised assessment and exercise prescription. Biokineticists are capable of working in many different areas including clinical pathology/injury as well as performance enhancement.*

Is Biokinetics for me?

Ask your Physician, GP, or Physiotherapist if they feel that you may benefit from seeing an exercise specialist like a Biokineticist. Otherwise contact your local Biokineticist directly to discuss your case history. If you are not a suitable candidate the Biokineticist will refer you back to your Specialist for more information / treatment. A Biokineticist can see you for regular sessions (land based exercise / water based) or write you a structured exercise routine for homework.

*Adapted from: http://www.biokinetics.org.za

There are 4 broad categories of scope for Biokinetics.

1) Orthopaedics (injury rehabilitation).
2) Chronic disease (risk reduction and reversal).
3) High performance (athlete conditioning and testing).
4) Corporate wellness and health promotion.

Most Biokineticists will have an undergraduate background in sport science / exercise science. The undergraduate course description varies from University to University.  The courses may have different course titles and codes but they all have the common thread of exercise and exercise specialisation. The post-graduate Biokinetics course refines the knowledge and experience from the under-graduate programme, and adds in specialist skills. By the time they graduate, Biokineticists are specialists in exercise testing and prescription. They are qualified to test your fitness and health, and give you advice on how exercise can help you.

You can see a Biokineticist for the following:

1) Preventing and treating orthopaedic conditions
2) Preventing and treating chronic diseases and conditions
3) Exercise testing and exercise testing for athletes
4) Promoting general health