Exercise Science vs. Kinesiology: What's the Difference?

Key Takeaways

Exercise Science: Focuses on human movement, exercise, and health.
Kinesiology: Broader study of human movement including biomechanics, physiology, and psychology.
Career Paths: Exercise science careers include personal training, and rehab; kinesiology includes research and public health.
Education: Both require biology, chemistry, and physics; kinesiology covers broader topics.

There are just so many different ways to pursue a career in healthcare. Countless different paths can be taken to the outcome of serving people and helping as many patients as possible enjoy optimal health and wellness. If you have been studying health sciences and are trying to decide where your educational future – and career – will take you, both exercise science and kinesiology can be appealing opportunities.

This page is going to be a breakdown of exercise science vs. kinesiology and the differences between the two. There is often confusion regarding what these terms mean and how they relate to the real-world experiences that you would have as a professional in these fields, so let’s take some time to get to the bottom of it and make sure everything is perfectly clear.

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Understanding the Fundamentals

You won’t be able to make the kind of informed decision that can lead you down the right career path without first knowing what these two fields are and how they are different. A kinesiology and exercise science comparison is the best way to start this page, so that’s what we’ll offer in this section.

What is kinesiology? Simply put, kinesiology is the study of human movement and how it impacts life. Many different areas of study and practice come together within kinesiology, including biomechanics and physiology, but also areas like neuroscience and psychology. This is a large, wide-ranging field that attempts to look at how physical activity plays a role in many different areas of life and society as a whole.

What is exercise science? This is actually a sub-field of kinesiology, so it shares many attributes but is narrower in focus. When looking for differences between exercise science and kinesiology, this is where you should focus – the fact that exercise science is focused specifically on exercise, movement, and how they impact the body. So, those who study kinesiology will, by default, be involved in some exercise science, but opting to focus specifically on exercise science will narrow your field and allow for the development of a deeper, more in-depth knowledge. One is not better than the other, but they are different paths within the same general area of study.

A Look at the Educational Requirements

There is going to be a lot of overlap in the educational requirements for kinesiology vs. exercise science degrees. For each, you will need to do extensive coursework in the areas of biology, chemistry, and physics. Given what we learned above about exercise science being a field within the greater category of kinesiology, you won’t be surprised to learn that kinesiology studies are going to be broader in scope, with biomechanics, exercise physiology, psychology, and more all included.

Some of those same things are present in exercise science studies, but on this track, you’ll also see things like nutrition, fitness assessment, and potential specializations in areas such as strength and conditioning.

What Can You Do for a Career in Exercise Science or Kinesiology?

The career paths in kinesiology and exercise science are some of the most exciting parts of studying in these fields. You’ll be amazed at how many different things you can do with either of these degrees, and your future will present you with a wide range of options. You may find that you get started in one direction early in your career only to switch things up later on and head down a different path, or you might find something you love right from the start and stick with it for decades.

One of the benefits of studying kinesiology is that you can do many different things within the areas of health and performance. You may decide to go into research to use your knowledge to shape the future of the field and advance our collective understanding of human movement. Or, you could work in physical or occupational therapy and rehabilitation. It’s also possible for someone with a kinesiology degree to stay in academia and become a teacher or professor for future generations.

Of course, the benefits of studying exercise science are somewhat similar, as you can pick from a range of tracks with this educational background. Many with exercise science degrees opt to get into personal training or strength and conditioning, but that’s only one option. There is also the public health arena to consider, clinical exercise physiology, or even sports coaching.

How Are the Skills Applied to the Real World?

One of the great things about working in either of these fields is the very practical way that what you learn can be applied to the world around you and the people you serve. Some professions, while still important, deal more in the theoretical realm, which can be frustrating for some people. If you like seeing your work have a direct impact immediately, there are career paths in both kinesiology and exercise science that are going to serve you well.

For someone in exercise science, for example, it might be building a rehabilitation program for a patient who is recovering from an injury. It can be tremendously rewarding to see your knowledge and experience applied to help someone literally get back on their feet. You will have directly improved their quality of life through your efforts. Likewise, working as a personal trainer could allow you to help people lose weight and get fit, which will also have a notable impact on how they are able to enjoy life.

Someone with an education in kinesiology might be able to have a similar impact, and maybe on a bigger scale. One example is those who work in public health and develop big-picture initiatives to help the population as a whole lose weight, become more active, and get healthier.

A Challenge to Note for Each Path

There are many positive aspects of kinesiology and exercise science, but it would be naïve to ignore the challenges that might be faced in these fields. All professions have difficulties, and it’s important to have a clear picture of both sides before diving in.

In exercise science, one of the common challenges that is seen is a competitive job landscape, especially in specific professions. If you decide to pursue personal training, for example, that’s a field with abundant opportunity but also plenty of competition. It can take time and plenty of effort to carve out a niche in your area to develop a loyal following of customers that will support your training business.

The broad nature of kinesiology can be difficult for some students. There is a lot to learn, and it’s necessary to gain a solid understanding of not just one field but a variety of scientific areas of study. That knowledge can be extremely valuable once obtained, of course, but it’s not an easy academic path to follow.

Off to a Good Start

In pursuing resources like this article to learn more about both exercise science and kinesiology, you are doing the right thing for your future. Whether it’s figuring out the education requirements for kinesiology and exercise science or getting a better understanding of what career options will be opened up to you, there is no such thing as too much information.

Of course, connecting with actual people in the real world can also be a valuable step in the right direction. Find different ways to talk to people about your career goals and questions you might have, such as going to open houses, talking to faculty members and various schools, and more. There will be some upfront work required to figure out if exercise science or kinesiology is going to be an appropriate path for you, but it’s well worth the time and effort you’ll invest to get it right.

Difference Between Exercise Science and Kinesiology