​Programmes

​​The Division of Movement Science and Exercise Therapy offers the following courses:

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Our BScHons in Biokinetics and BScHons in Sport Science (Kinderkinetics) will be on offer until 2028 and will then be gradually phased and replaced by Professional Degrees in Biokinetics and Kinderkinetics. For more information, please contact the Head of the Movement Science and Exercise Therapy Division, Professor Karen Welman (welman@sun.ac.za).

Ons BScHons in Biokinetika en BScHons in Sportwetenskap (Kinderkinetika) sal aangebied word tot 2028 en sal dan geleidelik uitgefaseer en vervang word deur Professionele Grade in Biokinetika en Kinderkinetika. Vir meer inligting, kontak asseblief die Hoof van die Afdeling Bewegingswetenskap en Oefentherapie, Professor Karen Welman (welman@sun.ac.za).

Ii-BScHons zethu kwi-Biokinetics kunye ne-BScHons kwiSayensi yezeMidlalo (Kinderkinetics) ziya kupheliswa ukususela ngo-2028 kwaye ziyakuthatha izinto ngokunxulumene kunye nezaziso zeziDanga zoBuchule kwiBiokinetics kunye neKinderkinetics. Ngemva kweso sicelo, nceda ucabangele neNtloko yeCandelo leSayensi yeNtshukumo kunye neCandelo lezoNyango lokuSebenza, uProfesa Karen Welman (welman@sun.ac.za)

Honours in Biokinetics

Biokinetics involves the science of movement and the use of exercise as a  rehabilitation strategy and treatment.  A Biokineticists is a clinical exercise specialist who is recognised and registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa*. The BSc honours degree in Biokinetics undertakes to develop dynamic exercise rehabilitation professionals, with an inquiring mind for scientific exercise interventions. Biokineticists are concerned with health promotion, maintenance of physical abilities and final phase rehabilitation through scientifically based exercise prescription. Consequently, Biokineticist delivers services to healthy, chronic and orthopaedic populations. Biokineticist prescribes exercise as a preventive health measure or to correct health-related problems. After a detailed assessment, the Biokineticist designs an individual exercise programme to improve the injury, well-being and/or health of the person in question.

When students have completed their degree, they will be able to:

• Making use of scientific methods and instruments to evaluate the physical condition of a patient by determining body composition, posture and postural control, physical work capacity, musculoskeletal function, mobility, flexibility, muscular endurance and strength, as well as functional ergonomically assessment.

• Identify exercise and disease risks.

• Design and prescribe safe physical activities or rehabilitation exercise programme/s for preventive health issues or recovery of health problems, sports and orthopaedic injuries and chronic diseases.

• Monitor physiological responses before,  during and after exercise such as blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol and heart rate.

• Use of specialised equipment including electrocardiography, spirometry, isokinetic systems etc.

* Note: Professional registration is a requirement to be able to practice.

Honours in Kinderkinetics

Kinderkinetics aims to develop children from 0 to 13 years old holistically by stimulating, remedying and promoting specific gross motor skills and physical development. The main focus of Kinderkinetics is to evaluate gross motor skills with scientific test batteries. After a child’s gross motor skills are evaluated and their skill level is determined, an individualised programme is developed to enhance his or her motor skills. Sessions strive to incorporate the fun factor of creative and colourful equipment along with imaginative themes.

Outcomes for Kinderkinetics:

• Demonstrate and interpret the knowledge of gross motor development in a practical environment.

• Understand the development of gross motor skills and its functional constraints as well as the perceptual- and sensory-motor development of children.

At the end of the practical and theoretical modules, the student will be able to:

•  Work with children of different ages and be able to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical manner.

• Evaluate a child with a scientific test battery and design according to the child’s needs.

• Gain practical experience in a variety of settings such as schools, institutions, communities, Virgin Active and Stellenbosch University’s Kinderkinetics practice.

Note: Professional registration with SAPIK (South African Professional Institute for Kinderkinetics) is a requirement to be able to practice.

Master of Science (MSc)

MSET offer a 100% research-based MSc, which means this program does not include any coursework. However, based on your background and based on the divsional policy you might have to follow certain courses.