Bachelor of Human Kinetics in Athletic Therapy

Athletic Therapists are vital memebers of the integrated health care team including sport medicine physicians, orthopedic surgeons, chiropractors, physical therapists, massage therapists, nutritionists and others who aid athletes towards peak performance and optimal health. Athletic Therapists have an exciting and exhilarating role as they work very closely with amateur, provincial, national and professional athletes and are often the first health care providers on scene of an injury or first aid situation. Athletic Therapy is an invaluable specialization within today's growing health care field which strives towards health promotion, activity involvement and treatment in a society with many hypokinetic and disabling conditions.

Athletic Therapists must employ knowledge in many areas including anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, sport injuries, first aid and sport nutrition. With their diverse knowledge they are responsible for injury prevention, prophylactic and supportive taping, musculoskeletal and postural evaluation, recognition and immediate care of injuries, injury assessment, appropriate referral to other health care providers, treatment, rehabilitation and safe return to play techniques.

The field of athletic therapy not only applies scientific and natural knowledge of the human body, movement and injuries, but is an interdisciplinary field that incorporates many aspects of interpersonal interaction, psychology and ethics.

Undertaking a degree in Human Kinetics in the stream of Athletic Therapy is a unique undergraduate opportunity in which pertinent practical experience and work exposure in clinics and with sports teams is gained while continuing with the theoretical components of the program. Athletic Therapy graduates will find themselves ready to complete certification exams or continue on to further education with valuable experience and connections made during their undergraduate degree.