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HPC Sport Science & Medical Unit

Biokinetics & Rehabilitation

 
 
The word Biokinetics is taken from the Greek word “BIOS” which means “life” and “KINESIS” 
which means “movement”. In other words, it refers to the maintenance of quality of life through the use of physical activity.
 
A Biokineticist is a trained professional who specialises in final phase rehabilitation for a variety of conditions including but not limited to sport injuries. 
 
Rehabilitation programmes are updated either weekly or monthly depending on the patient’s condition with the end goal of doing functional or sport specific activities. 
 
Biokinetics is not solely for rehabilitating those recovering from injury or surgery, there is also a big need for it with regards to rehabilitating people diseases caused by “lack of movement”, unhealthy diets, smoking and even stress. Examples of such diseases include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes and obesity. 
 
Individuals requiring treatment for any of the conditions previously mentioned can expect the following from a Biokinetics evaluation: 
  • Have a thorough medical history evaluation.
  • Measurement of blood pressure and heart rate to assess the likelihood of possible health complications.
  • Range of motion evaluation to access flexibility.  Poor flexibility can impair one’s ability to perform certain activities (sport or normal tasks of daily living) properly.
  • Assessment of body composition and waist to hip ratio. These can help determine one’s risk for coronary heart disease.
  • Measure muscular strength, endurance and power.
  • A postural analysis to identify any deviation which have either lead to injury or will prevent a proper recovery.
  • Assessments of the core stability, and the ability of “stabiliser muscles” to function properly. 
  • Cholesterol and glucose test can be conducted if deemed necessary.  
  • In addition, specialised tests may be requested which include; electrocardiograms (ECG), Biodex (both used for balance or muscle strength), and similarly the Cybex (for muscle strength)
 

For more information contact: 
Reception: (t) +27 12 484 1711/ 1764
 

 


 

 

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