4 answers
Madeleine
Student
Shoreline, Washington
2
Questions
Asked
583 views
What should I know about studying kinesiology?
I'm heading into my Junior year of HS, and have started to narrow down some possible career options. Currently my main focus is becoming a Sports Med Physician, and majoring in kinesiology before going on to earn my DO at an Osteopathic Med school.
Is there a list of pros/cons to studying kinesiology that I should know before deciding on this field? Are there any internship-like opportunities that I should look at getting involved in for these next two years of high school? Anything else that would be important for me to know when deciding my pathway? Because I want to earn my DO instead of an MD is kinesiology the right undergrad pathway, or should I earn my bachelor's in something else?
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4 answers
Stephanie Berger
Clinical Exercise Physiologist
2
Answers
Brunswick, Ohio
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
I think majoring in kinesiology is a great choice. Most kinesiology programs require a good amount of anatomy, biology, chemistry, and physics which will be great for getting into med school. If you can shadow athletic trainers or intern with college or high school sports meds doctors that’s a great place to start!
Jane Akinyemi
Lecturer
42
Answers
Salem, Massachusetts
Updated
Jane’s Answer
Hi Madeleine,
Kinesiology makes a solid choice if you’re aiming for a career in sports medicine, especially through the osteopathic route (DO). The whole field is built around how the body moves, muscles, bones, and mechanics, which ties in perfectly with osteopathic medicine's big focus on the musculoskeletal system and hands-on treatment like Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT). So, if you major in kinesiology, you get a head start on the kind of stuff you'll use in DO school.
Let’s break down the ups and downs:
First, the pros. The classes you’ll take, anatomy, biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor control, line up closely with what you’ll study in sports medicine. These courses are usually hands-on and practical, which helps keep your GPA strong (always a plus for med school applications).
But there's a catch. Kinesiology programs don’t always cover all the standard pre-med science classes like organic chemistry, physics, or biochemistry. You'll need these for med school, so you’ll have to plan and take them as electives. That means your course load can get heavy.
Kinesiology fits well with the whole-person philosophy of osteopathic medicine. But, if you end up changing your mind about med school, most entry-level kinesiology jobs don’t pay great without further education.
So, is kinesiology the right fit for a DO path? Absolutely, as long as you remember this: Med schools don’t really care what your major is, if you finish the required pre-med courses and nail the MCAT. While you’ll get a strong foundation in anatomy and physiology with kinesiology, you’ll still need to make sure you sign up for all those upper-level science classes usually found in pre-med or pre-physical therapy tracks.
Now, let’s talk about your high school years. Finding classic clinical internships is tough because of age limits and privacy rules, but you can still get plenty of experience:
- Talk to your school’s athletic trainer. Offer to shadow or help out during games and practices. It’s a great way to see what treating sports injuries looks like up close.
- Try to shadow a DO or a sports medicine doctor in the community. Some DO schools even require a recommendation from an osteopathic physician, so this is more than just a good idea.
- Check out entry-level positions or volunteer spots at physical therapy clinics—you’ll watch real rehabilitation in action.
- When you turn 18, consider getting certified as a personal trainer. It’s a hands-on way to keep learning—and earn a little money—while working with clients.
Here’s what to keep in mind moving forward:
- When you research colleges, look for kinesiology programs that offer pre-med or pre-health tracks so you can fit in all your science labs without scrambling later.
- Start building strong study habits in high school, especially in chemistry and biology, since these courses matter a lot for your future GPA and MCAT prep.
- Make connections with osteopathic physicians early. The sooner you’re exposed to OMT and the DO perspective, the better prepared you’ll be—and it gives you a head start on shadowing hours.
Bottom line: Kinesiology’s a great major if you plan carefully and stay on top of those key science prerequisites.
I hope this helps, wishing you all the best in your endevour.
Dr. Jane Akinyemi
Exercise Physiologist
Kinesiology makes a solid choice if you’re aiming for a career in sports medicine, especially through the osteopathic route (DO). The whole field is built around how the body moves, muscles, bones, and mechanics, which ties in perfectly with osteopathic medicine's big focus on the musculoskeletal system and hands-on treatment like Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT). So, if you major in kinesiology, you get a head start on the kind of stuff you'll use in DO school.
Let’s break down the ups and downs:
First, the pros. The classes you’ll take, anatomy, biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor control, line up closely with what you’ll study in sports medicine. These courses are usually hands-on and practical, which helps keep your GPA strong (always a plus for med school applications).
But there's a catch. Kinesiology programs don’t always cover all the standard pre-med science classes like organic chemistry, physics, or biochemistry. You'll need these for med school, so you’ll have to plan and take them as electives. That means your course load can get heavy.
Kinesiology fits well with the whole-person philosophy of osteopathic medicine. But, if you end up changing your mind about med school, most entry-level kinesiology jobs don’t pay great without further education.
So, is kinesiology the right fit for a DO path? Absolutely, as long as you remember this: Med schools don’t really care what your major is, if you finish the required pre-med courses and nail the MCAT. While you’ll get a strong foundation in anatomy and physiology with kinesiology, you’ll still need to make sure you sign up for all those upper-level science classes usually found in pre-med or pre-physical therapy tracks.
Now, let’s talk about your high school years. Finding classic clinical internships is tough because of age limits and privacy rules, but you can still get plenty of experience:
- Talk to your school’s athletic trainer. Offer to shadow or help out during games and practices. It’s a great way to see what treating sports injuries looks like up close.
- Try to shadow a DO or a sports medicine doctor in the community. Some DO schools even require a recommendation from an osteopathic physician, so this is more than just a good idea.
- Check out entry-level positions or volunteer spots at physical therapy clinics—you’ll watch real rehabilitation in action.
- When you turn 18, consider getting certified as a personal trainer. It’s a hands-on way to keep learning—and earn a little money—while working with clients.
Here’s what to keep in mind moving forward:
- When you research colleges, look for kinesiology programs that offer pre-med or pre-health tracks so you can fit in all your science labs without scrambling later.
- Start building strong study habits in high school, especially in chemistry and biology, since these courses matter a lot for your future GPA and MCAT prep.
- Make connections with osteopathic physicians early. The sooner you’re exposed to OMT and the DO perspective, the better prepared you’ll be—and it gives you a head start on shadowing hours.
Bottom line: Kinesiology’s a great major if you plan carefully and stay on top of those key science prerequisites.
I hope this helps, wishing you all the best in your endevour.
Dr. Jane Akinyemi
Exercise Physiologist
Vanessa Mandal
Medical Director
36
Answers
Rocklin
Updated
Vanessa’s Answer
Madeline,
"Mobility is medicine. The ability to move safely and confidently is one of the strongest predictors of independence, brain health, and longevity."
In my career as a geriatrician, I have worked with physical therapists. I saw firsthand how their expertise in the science of human movement changes lives. Kinesiology is much more than exercise. It is the study of how movement preserves independence, health, and quality of life. In older adults recovering from stroke, living with Parkinson's disease, or struggling with falls, mobility often determines whether they can remain active, engaged, and independent at home.
Research consistently shows that physical activity is one of the most powerful tools we have for healthy aging. Movement improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles and bones, supports balance, and reduces fall risk. Equally important, exercise benefits the brain by improving cognition, mood, memory, and overall brain function. Many experts now view physical activity as one of the keys to longevity and successful aging.
If you enjoy science, helping people, and understanding how the body moves, kinesiology offers diverse career paths and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people's lives every day. Explore opportunities to interact with people who have limitations in mobility-nursing homes, assisted living facilities. Think beyond sports medicine and open your mind to other possibilities.
Excellent Career Resources
American Kinesiology Association (AKA) – Careers in Kinesiology
Explore Careers in Kinesiology
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) – Professional organization for exercise science and human performance
Visit ACSM
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) – Career information and pathways into rehabilitation professions
Explore PT Careers
https://americankinesiology.org/careers-in-kinesiology/
https://acsm.org/
https://www.apta.org/your-career
"Mobility is medicine. The ability to move safely and confidently is one of the strongest predictors of independence, brain health, and longevity."
In my career as a geriatrician, I have worked with physical therapists. I saw firsthand how their expertise in the science of human movement changes lives. Kinesiology is much more than exercise. It is the study of how movement preserves independence, health, and quality of life. In older adults recovering from stroke, living with Parkinson's disease, or struggling with falls, mobility often determines whether they can remain active, engaged, and independent at home.
Research consistently shows that physical activity is one of the most powerful tools we have for healthy aging. Movement improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles and bones, supports balance, and reduces fall risk. Equally important, exercise benefits the brain by improving cognition, mood, memory, and overall brain function. Many experts now view physical activity as one of the keys to longevity and successful aging.
If you enjoy science, helping people, and understanding how the body moves, kinesiology offers diverse career paths and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people's lives every day. Explore opportunities to interact with people who have limitations in mobility-nursing homes, assisted living facilities. Think beyond sports medicine and open your mind to other possibilities.
Excellent Career Resources
American Kinesiology Association (AKA) – Careers in Kinesiology
Explore Careers in Kinesiology
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) – Professional organization for exercise science and human performance
Visit ACSM
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) – Career information and pathways into rehabilitation professions
Explore PT Careers
Vanessa recommends the following next steps:
Collin Grota
Doctor/ emergency medical technician
1
Answer
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Updated
Collin’s Answer
Being in medical school and having done my surgery rotation there is something that I learned during my surgery rotation and use almost every single day. “Patients are the experts of their body and doctors are the experts in medicine.” You need to find a way to learn to find a good middle ground between these two… that will lead to satisfied patients and good outcomes. This can be achieved by trusting what the patient is feeling but using science and your skills to verify what they are feeling.