Human Kinetics Department

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This course provides students with an overview of the study of human movement within the sociocultural, social science and exercise science domains. Topics include physical activity, physical fitness, physical and mental health, motor learning and control, biomechanics, ergonomics, ethics, history, gender, race, philosophy, and others. Students will learn reading, writing and analytic skills in class and through their lab work. Three credits and lab.

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This course provides an introduction to the basic concepts and principles of sport and exercise psychology. Topics include a variety of psychological constructs and theories (e.g., personality, motivation, anxiety, diversity, group dynamics) and how they apply to teaching/consulting, coaching, and fitness instruction. Credit will be granted for only one of HKIN 136 or HKIN 236. Three credits and lab.

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This course serves as an introduction to sport in the humanities. Students will learn about the philosophical, historical, and socio-cultural dimensions of sport. Issues and themes to be explored include the historical conceptualization of sport, the significance of sport, knowledge in sport, excellence in sport, the beauty of sport, and sport culture. Credit will be granted for only one of HKIN 150 or HKIN 250. Students take HKIN 150 or 154, not both. Restricted to first year HKIN students. Three credits.

This course will introduce students to some of the main themes, topics and issues in the ethics of sport. The course is designed to provide an introduction and critical analysis of classic and contemporary readings in the ethics of sport. We will explore issues such as fair play and cheating, doping, equity and gender, the use of animals in sport, violence, and disability. Credit will be granted for only one of HKIN 154 or HKIN 254. Students take HKIN 154 or HKIN 150, not both. Restricted to first year HKIN students. Three credits.

The human body operates by the intricate coordination of multiple systems. Each has a purpose and is regulated at the cellular, tissue, and organ levels. The focus of this course is to understand the structure, function, and organization of major bodily systems. Individual and combined functions will be outlined for the neuromuscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, digestive, and reproductive systems. Students will explore these concepts in complementary laboratory activities. Credit will be granted for only one of HKIN 161, HKIN 151/152, BIOL 151/152 or 251/252. Three credits and lab.

The human body operates by the intricate coordination of multiple systems. Each has a purpose and is regulated at the cellular, tissue, and organ levels. The focus of this course is to understand the structure, function, and organization of musculoskeletal structures, including bones, joints, and muscles. Individual and combined functions will be outlined for the nervous, skeletal, and muscular systems. Students will explore these concepts in complementary laboratory activities. Credit will be granted for only one of HKIN 162, HKIN 151/152, BIOL 151/152 or 251/252. Three credits and lab.

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This course gives students a general understanding of skilled motor performance with a specific focus on behaviour. Part I examines how the motor system controls movements from an information-processing perspective. Part II explores the processes involved in motor learning. How motor skills are acquired and developed through practice and experience will be reviewed. It is highly relevant to the study of rehabilitation in physical and occupational therapy. Three credits and lab.

A study of the injuries that occur in popular physical activities, including the nature, course, prevention, and non-medical management of these injuries. Prerequisite: HKIN 161/162 or BIOL 251 or HKIN 151. Three credits and lab.

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This course will guide students through the health-related aspects of exercise, physical activity, and physical fitness from the perspective of epidemiology. Emphasis will be placed on critical analysis of primary research that evaluates the use of physical activity promotion methods in the context of common chronic diseases (e.g. obesity, cardiovascular disease). Discussion will focus on the impact of health-research and epidemiologic trends on public health guidelines. Prerequisites: HKIN 161/162 or HKIN 151/152. Three credits.

This course introduces the theoretical and practical underpinnings of coaching athletes in a variety of sports settings. Concepts covered in this class include leadership approaches, management of the coach athlete relationship, practice planning, safety, ethics, communication, and preparation. Credit will be granted for only one of HKIN 234 or HKIN 334. Three credits.

This course provides students with a sociological interpretation of sport in contemporary Canada and North America. By contextualizing sporting practices, the course challenges dominant ideas about sport in society and positions sport as an institution that both liberates and limits possibilities. Students will examine issues in sport, its link to other institutions, and its role in constructing values that benefit those already in power in Canadian society will be emphasized. Credit will be granted for only one of HKIN 264 or HKIN 331. Three credits.

An introduction to the responses and adaptations (acute and chronic) of the neuromuscular, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems to potential challenges to homeostasis due to muscular activity. Credit will be granted for only one of HKIN 265 or HKIN 365 or HKIN 398 (2019-2020). Prerequisites: HKIN 161/162 or 151/152 or BIOL 251/252. Three credits and lab.

This course includes practical or hands on experiential opportunities encompassing prevention, assessment, and management of athletic injuries on the field and in the clinic. Students will leaven how to prepare for the role of student therapist through a hybrid approach of virtual and hands on learning. Topics include expectations of student therapist and scope of practice, student therapist-athlete relationships, ethics and confidentiality, familiarization of athletic therapy supplies, creation and implementation of emergency response plans, side-line injury management, and practice/game day protocols. Course will begin virtually in mid-August and end with three days in-person on campus. Credit will be granted for only one of HKIN 310 or HKIN 302. Restricted to designated HKIN student therapists. A numerical grade will be granted. Three credits.

An in-depth study of the assessment and management of athletic injuries. Students will learn proper assessment protocol, advanced assessment techniques, and specialized taping techniques. Prerequisites: HKIN 161/162 or HKIN 151 or BIOL 251; HKIN 222. Three credits.

Explores the role of women, men, femininity, and masculinity in sport and physical activity from a historical, philosophical, and sociocultural perspectives. This course covers embodiment, objectification, equity, racism, homophobia, politics of difference and identity. Cross-listed as WMGS 332. Three credits.

Students will explore psychological antecedents and responses to injury in the social psychology context of sport. Students will examine psychosocial factors that put athletes at risk of injury, psychological responses to injury, and the role of physical and mental health care professionals when addressing psychological responses to injuries. Prerequisite: HKIN 136. Three credits.

An introduction to exercise program prescription and leadership. Students will learn techniques for prescribing, following, and leading exercise programs; participate in and analyze exercise activities and programs; design and lead group, individual, and periodized exercise programs. Students will be prepared to meet national criteria for recognition as a certified personal trainer. Credit will be granted for only one of HKIN 345 or HKIN 446. Prerequisites: HKIN 161/162 or HKIN 151/152 or BIOL 251/252; HKIN 265. Three credits and lab.

This course will provide upper level HKIN students with an interest in further pursuing rehabilitation therapy as a career, a guide to understanding, designing, implementing and supervising rehabilitation programs for sports related injuries. Credit will be granted for only one of HKIN 347 or HKIN 447. Prerequisites: HKIN 222, 321. Three credits.

An overview of the sociocultural forces that have shaped physical culture and sport in what is currently Canada. Using class, colonialism, race, gender and more as interpretative lenses, students will examine the complex context and conditions under which individuals, groups, and the state have created, refined, participated in, and given meaning to sport and physical culture. Student will engage with primary sources on a range of topics. Three credits.

An in-depth study of the changes in exercise capacity and sport performance that occur beyond adulthood. The role of physical activity and exercise training in minimizing aging-related losses in performance capacity and physical conditioning is addressed through experiential learning with older adults. Credit will be granted for only one of HKIN 357 or HKIN 398 (2017-2018). Prerequisites: HKIN 161/162 or HKIN 151/152 or BIOL 251/252; HKIN 265. Three credits.

This course examines how sport and physical activity (both recreational and professional) are 1) culturally significant practices through which ideas of “deviant” behaviour are constructed, enacted, tolerated, and challenged; and 2) activities that, in diverse ways, intersect with the criminal justice system. Topics explored include sport-related violence, the use of performance enhancing drugs, off-field athlete violence, pain and injury in sport, and the use of sport in crime prevention and prison settings, among many others. Prerequisite: HKIN 264. Three credits.

Students will be exposed to the concepts of kinetic analysis of motion through the application of Newton’s Laws. The course will provide the mechanical information necessary to enable the student to objectively criticize any human movement which the student may one day have to teach, coach or ergonomically evaluate. Three credits and lab.

Future educators learn about advocacy, the philosophy and application of inclusion as well as the nature of various physical, intellectual, developmental and emotional disabilities. Students translate theoretical knowledge into practice forming collaborative partnerships with local schools, families and peers, designing individualized education plans and participating in the Motor Activities with X (MAX) applied lab alongside people with disabilities. Credit will be granted for only one of HKIN 385 or HKIN 395. Three credits and lab.

The topic for 2025-2026 is Mental Health in Sport and Exercise. This course will explore how sport and exercise participation impact mental health and how mental health impacts sport and exercise experience and performance. From a biopsychosocial perspective, students will examine common mental health challenges faced by athletes and exercisers, the impact of sport and exercise on mental health, and strategies for promoting positive mental health in sport and exercise. Prerequisite: HKIN 136. Three credits.

This applied course focuses on clinical research design in the field of disability, health and community rehabilitation. Emphasis is placed on implementation science, barriers and facilitators, as well as the social, behavioural and physical characteristics of diverse populations. Students participate actively in the evidence-based Motor Activities with ‘X’ (MAX) lab to gain community and rehabilitation applied experience with vulnerable populations including autism, Down syndrome, intellectual disability, orthopaedic impairment, mental health, deafness, and rare disorders. Credit granted for only one of HKIN 395 or HKIN 385. Three credits and lab.

An overview of the scientific method of problem solving. The course covers problem identification, hypothesis testing, data collection, and analysis of research findings. A detailed examination of experimental design assists the student in conducting research, writing the proposal and the report, and critically analyzing published literature. Restricted to upper year students; required for third-year honours students. Students can take 396 or 397; not both. Three credits.

An overview of qualitative research methodologies, including the major theories, methods, and approaches (i.e. case studies, content analysis, interviews, observations, and ethnography). Problem identification, literature review analysis, research design, theoretical and empirical analysis, and dissemination are the major focus of this course. Practical experience will be included. Restricted to upper year students; required for third-year honours students. Students can take 397 or 396; not both. Three credits.

The topic for 2025-2026 is A History of Sport Futures. The interplay between imagination and freedom/liberation defines histories of sport. Since the 19th century, sport and sport spaces have informed blueprints for survival and resistance, offering a window to novel realities, and functioning as a transformative technology. This course invites students to consider the movements and narratives that have, historically, inspired radical sport futures. Students will examine stories of segregated leagues, sport myths, scientific racism, etc., to explore the possibilities within the promise of sport. Three credits.

This course provides an advanced exploration of motor control, drawing on insights from neurophysiology, biomechanics, experimental psychology, and cognitive neuroscience. However, the primary focus will be the behavioural analysis of movement. Topics covered in HKIN 215, such as stimulus-response compatibility and the two visual systems, will be explored in greater depth. An enhanced understanding of how humans control movement will benefit those wishing to pursue a career in rehabilitation. Prerequisite: HKIN 215. Three credits and weekly lab.

This course covers the physical growth, maturation, and development in children. The implications of changes in structure and function related to children’s physical growth will be applied to physical education, physical activity, and physical fitness. This course is not eligible to fulfil the 400-level HKIN elective requirements for students completing a major or honours in kinesiology. Restricted to upper year students. Prerequisites: HKIN 161/162 or HKIN 151/152 or BIOL 251/252; HKIN 265 or 365. Three credits and lab. Service-learning option.

This course introduces key physical and mental health components in a health education context for in school-aged children. Emphasis will be placed upon the application of these concepts to the promotion of health in the school system, home, and more broadly in the community. This course is not eligible to fulfil the 400-level HKIN elective requirements for students completing a major or honours in kinesiology. Restricted to upper year students. Service-learning option. Three credits.

This seminar explores the intersection of sport with socio-cultural identities as well as systems of oppression and liberation. Through dialogue, films, presentations, and reflections, students will unpack how various social identities shape and are shaped by sport. Students will engage with sport as a medium for making culture and power legible and thus transformable. Credit will be granted for only one of HKIN 431 or HKIN 471 (2017-2018). Prerequisite: HKIN 264 or 332 or 352. Three credits.

Designed to create an interdisciplinary learning experience for nursing, human nutrition and human kinetics students, this seminar course is an introduction to public policy change for health. The objective is to develop a fundamental understanding of healthy public policy development, analysis, and change from interdisciplinary and social justice perspectives. Issues such as healthy public policy, social and ecological determinants of health, social justice, health equity, and interdisciplinary/cross-sectoral and citizen lead policy action are explored. This course would be beneficial for students pursuing professions in the policy for health or healthcare delivery. Credit will be granted for only one of HKIN 433 or NURS 495, HKIN 495, HNU 495. Cross-listed as NURS 433 and HNU 433. Three credits.

This advanced seminar course is designed to provide opportunities for students to critically examine the Olympic Games and the modern Olympic Movement. Students will examine the Olympic Games from a sociocultural interdisciplinary approach and create research projects. Restricted to third and fourth year HKIN students. Prerequisites: one of HKIN 253, 264, 332, 352 or 354. Three credits.

Future educators explore both traditional and alternative teaching and learning strategies in order to promote inclusive practices. Students later apply this theoretical knowledge while teaching physical activity classes to diverse learners using a variety of instructional strategies. The lab features collaboration with local schools and Indigenous communities. HKIN 445 is strongly recommended as an HKIN elective for the pre-education path. Three credits and lab.

This course is designed provide theory and practical experience as you administer a variety of exercise science specific related protocols and techniques that are used in assessing an individual’s current level of physical activity and fitness. Students will be able to understand the theoretical principles that underpin these various fitness assessment protocols and be able to develop simple and appropriate training plans based on specific individual results. Components of this course are intended to provide students with the necessary background information to pursue personal trainer certification through the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology. Prerequisites: HKIN 265 or 365; HKIN 161/162 or HKIN 151/152 or BIOL 251/252. Three credits and lab.

This advanced course explores current trends with respect to the design and implementation of sustainable evidence-based interventions for at-risk populations. Topics include preventative medicine, universal design, rural healthcare, pediatric rehabilitation, assistive technology, accessibility, knowledge mobilisation and community-engaged scholarship. The evidence-based motor activities with X (MAX) lab component encourages students to transfer theoretical knowledge to different community-based intervention settings while working with at risk populations. Credit will be granted for only one of HKIN 457, HKIN 437 or HKIN 495 (2017-2018). Prerequisites: HKIN 161/162 or 151/152 or BIOL 251/252; HKIN 265 or 365. Three credits and lab.

This course examines various interventional techniques to enhance athletic performance. We will review commonly applied sport psychological skill training techniques, such as imagery, self-talk, goal setting, and confidence enhancement. In addition, new technologies to train perceptual-cognitive elements of athletic performance will be explored. Students will be asked to design applied workshops. The application of training to exercise, and occupations settings (e.g. health care) will be discussed. Prerequisite: HKIN 136 and third year standing. Three credits.

This course examines several chronic diseases prevalent in society, which are positively influenced by regular exercise or physical activity, and include: obesity, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension and heart failure. The nature of the disease, methods of assessment, role of exercise in the possible prevention, treatment and/or rehabilitation of these diseases are considered. Restricted to fourth-year students. Prerequisites: HKIN 161/162 or HKIN 151/152 or BIOL 251/252; HKIN 265 or 365. Three credits and lab.

This course will further the student’s understanding of the qualitative approach to biomechanics and provide the necessary skills for conducting a quantitative biomechanical analysis of human motion. Students will be introduced to several techniques used in biomechanics research. Emphasis will be placed on the collection and analysis of biomechanical data. Concepts will be illustrated with examples taken from areas of sport and exercise with a special focus on the practical applications to golf. Prerequisites: HKIN 376; MATH 106 or 126 and PHYS 102 recommended. Three credits and bi-weekly lab.

Students will prepare, propose, and defend a thesis based on original research conducted under the supervision of a Human Kinetics Faculty member. Students must meet all department deadlines and requirements. Credit will be granted for only one of HKIN 490 or HKIN 493. Restricted to honours students. Required for honours students. Prerequisite: One of HKIN 374, 396 or 397. Six credits.

An in-depth study of the metabolic changes (acute and chronic) in the human body due to potential challenges to homeostasis caused by muscular activity. Credit will be granted for only one of HKIN 492 or HKIN 392. Prerequisites: HKIN 161/162 or HKIN 151/152 or BIOL 251/252; HKIN 265 or 365. Three credits.

Designed for students with high academic standing who wish to pursue a directed, in-depth study in a selected topic. See section 3.5. Three credits.

Designed for students with high academic standing who wish to pursue a directed, in-depth study in a selected topic. See section 3.5. Three credits.