2 answers
William
Student
Crestview, Florida
1
Question
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If I want to become an athletic trainer, would exercise science or kinesiology be a better major?
Either way I need a master's degree but which major will prepare me better for that pathway?
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2 answers
Zen Morgan MAT LAT ATC PES
Athletic Trainer
8
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Zen’s Answer
I majored in exercise science and I thought that it was a good foundation for getting a masters in athletic training. I would recommend looking up the prerequisites for several different MAT programs and then pick a major based on what courses best fit the prerequisites
Gina Cabrera, MPS
EC
132
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Gina’s Answer
Hi William, Great questions!
Both Exercise Science and Kinesiology can be excellent pathways toward becoming an athletic trainer, but each has a slightly different focus. Here's a breakdown to help you decide which might be the better fit for you:
Exercise Science:
Focus: This major typically focuses on the science behind exercise, fitness, and sports performance. It involves studying anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and the principles of physical fitness.
Benefits for Athletic Training: Exercise Science provides a solid foundation in human movement, biomechanics, and muscle function, which are critical in rehabilitating injuries, designing fitness plans, and enhancing performance—all key parts of an athletic trainer’s job.
Preparation for Master’s Program: Exercise Science often aligns well with master’s degree programs in athletic training because it emphasizes health, fitness, and wellness, all of which are central to athletic training.
Kinesiology:
Focus: Kinesiology is the study of human movement and its relationship to health and physical activity. It often includes areas like biomechanics, motor control, exercise physiology, and sport psychology.
Benefits for Athletic Training: Kinesiology may give you a broader understanding of movement mechanics and how different systems of the body interact, which is vital for diagnosing and treating injuries as an athletic trainer. It also provides insights into neuromuscular systems, which are crucial for rehabilitation.
Preparation for Master’s Program: Like Exercise Science, Kinesiology offers a strong foundation for athletic training but might be slightly more theoretical in its approach to physical movement and body systems. It can still prepare you well for a master’s program in athletic training.
Which is Better for You?
If you're more interested in fitness and sports performance, Exercise Science may be a better choice because it’s more focused on physical conditioning and performance.
If you're more interested in understanding how the body moves and rehabilitation, Kinesiology may be more suited to your interests as it delves deeper into movement science and health applications.
Conclusion:
Both majors will provide the knowledge and skills you need to pursue a master’s degree in athletic training, but Exercise Science is often considered more directly applicable to the role of an athletic trainer because it focuses on rehabilitation and performance aspects. However, Kinesiology can be just as effective if you're interested in a more in-depth understanding of human movement and body mechanics.
Ultimately, your choice may come down to the type of master’s program you want to pursue and your personal interest in either exercise physiology or movement science.
Both Exercise Science and Kinesiology can be excellent pathways toward becoming an athletic trainer, but each has a slightly different focus. Here's a breakdown to help you decide which might be the better fit for you:
Exercise Science:
Focus: This major typically focuses on the science behind exercise, fitness, and sports performance. It involves studying anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and the principles of physical fitness.
Benefits for Athletic Training: Exercise Science provides a solid foundation in human movement, biomechanics, and muscle function, which are critical in rehabilitating injuries, designing fitness plans, and enhancing performance—all key parts of an athletic trainer’s job.
Preparation for Master’s Program: Exercise Science often aligns well with master’s degree programs in athletic training because it emphasizes health, fitness, and wellness, all of which are central to athletic training.
Kinesiology:
Focus: Kinesiology is the study of human movement and its relationship to health and physical activity. It often includes areas like biomechanics, motor control, exercise physiology, and sport psychology.
Benefits for Athletic Training: Kinesiology may give you a broader understanding of movement mechanics and how different systems of the body interact, which is vital for diagnosing and treating injuries as an athletic trainer. It also provides insights into neuromuscular systems, which are crucial for rehabilitation.
Preparation for Master’s Program: Like Exercise Science, Kinesiology offers a strong foundation for athletic training but might be slightly more theoretical in its approach to physical movement and body systems. It can still prepare you well for a master’s program in athletic training.
Which is Better for You?
If you're more interested in fitness and sports performance, Exercise Science may be a better choice because it’s more focused on physical conditioning and performance.
If you're more interested in understanding how the body moves and rehabilitation, Kinesiology may be more suited to your interests as it delves deeper into movement science and health applications.
Conclusion:
Both majors will provide the knowledge and skills you need to pursue a master’s degree in athletic training, but Exercise Science is often considered more directly applicable to the role of an athletic trainer because it focuses on rehabilitation and performance aspects. However, Kinesiology can be just as effective if you're interested in a more in-depth understanding of human movement and body mechanics.
Ultimately, your choice may come down to the type of master’s program you want to pursue and your personal interest in either exercise physiology or movement science.
Thank you for the advice, Gina.
William