What is Biokinetics?

Biokinetics is a medically recognized profession involving the management of effective exercise habits in order to improve one’s physical status and quality of life.

A Biokineticist achieves this through an individualized assessment and exercise prescription in the dual context of clinical pathology – acute and chronic conditions – and performance enhancement.

All Biokineticists are registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

BIO + KINETICS = LIFE + MOVEMENT = LIFE THROUGH MOVEMENT

Therefore it is the Science of Movement and the application of exercise in rehabilitative treatment of performance.

A Biokineticist’s primary function is to improve physical functioning and health care through exercise as a modality.

Biokinetics in essence, is a profession concerned with health promotion. It is the maintenance of physical abilities and final phase rehabilitation.  This is achieved by means of a scientifically-based physical activity programme prescription.

The South African Association of Biokinetics (SAAB) was instituted in 1987.

The primary function of a Biokineticist as a Clinical Exercise Specialist

  • Functions within professional alliance to health and medicine and is recognised by and registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa
  • Improves a person’s physical well-being and quality of life through individualised scientific assessment. Also prescribes exercise in rehabilitative treatment to prevent or intervene with certain ailments and the enhancement of performance in sport and work
  • Evaluates and measures body posture, body composition, blood pressure, glucose levels, lung function, heart rate, fitness, muscle strength, endurance, power, flexibility and other health screenings
  • Is a health professional whom through health promotion and wellness, creates a better quality of life for people they work with

The importance of Movement in Biokinetics

Movement is an essential part of everyday life for people of all ages.  Movement affects development, learning, communication, work capacity, health and overall quality of life.

Movement permits people to navigate and stay orientated within their environment.  It allows people to interact more fully in their work and recreation.  It is a defining element in quality of life.

Movement may be diminished or lost due to heredity, aging, injury, or disease.  Such loss may occur gradually, over the course of a lifetime or traumatically in an instant.

Conditions of movement-loss that are linked with chronic and disabling diseases, pose additional challenges for patients and their families.  From the public health perspective, the prevention of either the initial impairment or additional impairment from this environmentally orienting and socially connecting functioning, requires significant resources.

Prevention of movement-loss or the resulting disabling conditions, through the development of improved disease prevention and detection or treatment methods and more effective rehabilitative strategies, must be a global priority.

The value of Biokinetics Practitioners

The profession of Biokinetics has evolved as a health profession responding to the universal need for quality, accessibility and cost-effective health care.

Biokineticists are found in communities around the world where –

*they provide economic value for the services they offer

*they detect a wide spectrum of conditions at a savings to the health care system

*they provide entry into the health care system for many patients who would otherwise not seek care

*they prepare our children for the competitive marketplace by assuring their physical fitness and preparedness for learning and achievement

*they maximize employment productivity and benefit economic stability and they promote quality of life and individual independence, rather than more costly institutionalized and supported care

Why would you engage the services of a Biokineticist?
A Biokineticist is an exercise specialist who increases a person’s physical condition and quality of life by means of physical assessment and the prescription of health exercise habits.

Biokineticists are the newest members of allied medical teams who specialise in preventative medicine and final phase rehabilitation to improve the quality of life through movement.

When would one consult a Biokineticist?

  • If you suffer from a chronic disease such as heart disease, hypertension, arthritis or diabetes
  • If you suffer from an orthopaedic condition that is preventing you from optimising your quality of life
  • If you have been affected by a neurological condition, such as Parkinson’s, MS and Stroke, to mention a few
  • If you have had surgery and are finding it difficult to fully recover
  • If you have suffered from an injury which continues to hamper your ability to function optimally
  • If you have recurring sports injuries
  • If you require exercise as part of a weight-management program
  • If you are sedentary and need to increase your physical fitness levels
  • If you need to improve your general physical abilities through exercise

How many sessions will I need?

This is dependent on your injury/medical condition and how frequently you do your home rehabilitation exercises per week.

We start treatment with an initial assessment which includes a comprehensive history  and scientific assessment/evaluation of your medical condition.

According to our findings in the assessment, we will then prescribe an individualised exercise programme which will assist you in the following ways:

–       Rehabilitation of your injury/medical condition

–       Prevention and management of certain ailments/medical conditions

–       Promotion of health and wellness and improvement in quality of life

–       Enhancement of performance in your daily life, sport or work

Depending on your condition, you may need a number of follow-up appointments in order to progress your exercise programme or you may need a supervised exercise programme where we will personally take you through a set of exercises necessary to help to improve your condition.

You can contact The South African Association of  Biokinetics at www.biokinetics.org.za to find a Biokinetics Practitioner near you and get your quality of life back!

 

Please contact info@thegoddessfactor.co.za or phone or WhatsApp us @ 063 292 8968 for further information.