Area of Study Paper

Zyell Griffin

IDS 201-1003: Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies

Dr. Kendra Gage

October 1, 2022

Areas of Study Paper

Introduction

It is fascinating studying sociology and kinesiology. I chose these two disciplines because I find them helpful professionally and personally. Sociology studies people’s behavior and its impact on society (Lahire, 2020). On the other hand, kinesiology studies body motion and its health implications (Knudson, 2014). These two fields, in my opinion, are essential to comprehending how individuals engage with their surroundings and how such engagement may affect their health and well-being. How kinesiology might be utilized to fight or prevent ailments like obesity or cardiovascular diseases is something that genuinely interests me. Sociology, in my opinion, is crucial for comprehending how social issues like prejudice and deprivation can affect one’s health. Understanding these fields will help create interventions that enhance change for the better.

Foundations and Principles

Kinesiology is a branch of science that has its roots in examining human mobility and, thus, the elements that affect it. Kinesiology studies how the body turns and how regular exercise impacts quality and well-being to enhance human performance and wellness (Knudson & Brusseau, 2021). On the other hand, the research into a human social activity, including the beginnings, structure, and evolution of societies, forms the basis and core ideas of sociology. Understanding how individuals interact with one another and how society operates is the goal of (Thompson et al., 2016).

The causes, methods, and effects of physical activity are studied from various perspectives by kinesiology students (Knudson & Brusseau, 2021). For instance, they might look into how muscles generate energy, how joints and cartilage work, how energy is expended throughout exercise, and how exercise can affect a person’s well-being. The societal and cultural settings of aerobic fitness might also be studied by kinesiology students, including how other societies perceive and practice physical fitness and how physical exercise can be utilized to advance revolutionary progress.

Sociology and kinesiology are both dynamic, ever-evolving fields. To stay abreast of the most recent findings and advancements, experts in various disciplines frequently redefine their discipline (Repko et al.,2019). For instance, professional in Collage of Applied Health Sciences define Kinesiology as “the study of human movement, it is a division of physiology that addresses a variety of subjects, such as motor coordination, restoration, and biomechanics” (Collage of Applied Health Sciences, 2022). Usually, search and teaching are major focuses of the field of kinesiology. On the other hand, defining Sociology as, according to Repko et al. (2019), the study of human social behavior; it is a scientific discipline that examines a variety of subjects, such as criminality, household, and professional training. Sociologists examine individual interactions using both qualitative and numerical methodologies.

Top Experts

Some of the top experts in Kinesiology include William James, a renowned scientist and psychotherapist who made significant contributions to the field of kinesiology. His contribution to the functionalism hypothesis, which contends that the brain is a sophisticated process of numerous interrelated pieces, made him most famous. Another expert in this field of study is Dr. Michael R. Deschenes, whose studies are focused on biomechanics of human motion and their muscles produce energy. Also, Dr. Scott C. Lynch, whose studies are based on physiology of muscle fatigue as well, how the muscles adopt changes is a top expert in Kinesiology.

Top experts in Sociology include Jean Piaget, Sigmund Freud, and Karl Marx. Jean Piaget was a prominent sociological thinker and Swiss psychologist. His study on the idea of intellectual growth, which contends that childhood development growth occurs in stages, is what made him most famous. Sigmund Freud was a neurologist from Austria who made significant contributions to sociology and his contributions to the sociological theory, which contends that the individual interaction is a complex social structure of numerous interlinked pieces, made him most famous. Lastly, Karl Marx was a German philosopher who claimed that history is affected by economic status and social status, and hence, class struggle determines change.

Protocols for Each Discipline

There are various protocols that ought to be observed in kinesiology. Firstly, exercises should be performed with proper form and technique to prevent injury and to guarantee that the workouts are successful in producing the intended effects (Knudson & Brusseau, 2021). Secondly, appropriate warm-up and cool-down intervals prior to and following physical exercise (Knudson & Brusseau, 2021). This aids in injury prevention and enhances restoration. Furthermore, having the right amount of rest and recuperation time between sessions is another protocol that must be observed in Kinesiology since it aids in avoiding overexertion by allowing the body to produce and repair muscle fibers (Van Hooren, & Peake, 2018).

Sociology also entails a variety of protocols to be performed. They entail the analysis of social processes using scientific methodology ensures that the study is precise and impartial (Little et al., 2016). Secondly, the use of theoretical perspectives to the interpretation of data is another protocol required in sociology as it enables a deeper comprehension of the complexity of the social activity. Thirdly, adhering to ethical standards when doing research which safeguards the rights and well-being of research subjects is a protocol that must adhered to during social studies (Israel, 2014).

Professionals in Each Discipline

Kinesiology, the scientific study of human movement, can see professionals in it operate in hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, and fitness facilities, just a few of the places where experts in this sector may serve. They might also pursue careers in research or education. On the other hand, Sociology is the scientific study of social behavior. It can see its professionals work in governmental institutions, charities, and commercial enterprises, as just a few of the places where specialists in this subject may find employment. For individuals who hold degrees in the field, kinesiology and sociology provide a wide range of professional options like the above-listed fields.

Issues/Problems Investigated by the Professionals

Professionals in kinesiology and sociology often look at a range of concerns and difficulties. Specialists in kinesiology, for instance, would look into how various types of physical activity might affect people’s general health, whereas those in sociology might look into how various social variables can affect people’s quality of life and well-being. Professionals in sociology and kinesiology can look at how various kinds of activity can affect people’s psychological and physical health and how various social elements can affect an individual’s emotional health and overall well-being.

Subfields of the Disciplines

Within the fields of sociology and kinesiology, there exist subfields. Biomechanics, exercise science, motor coordination and regulation and experimental psychology are all fields of study in kinesiology. On the other hand, social stratification, social inequality, ethnic background, and family are all subfields of sociology (Little et al., 2016).

Current Hot Topics in the Disciplines

The fields of sociology and kinesiology both have a few current problems or themes. The significance of physical exercise in maintaining health and preventing disease is a hot topic in kinesiology. The social factors that affect health is a trending issue in sociology. These two hot topics in these two disciplines have raised eyebrows in recent days torching every corner of concern for professionals and state governments.

Scholarly Article Journals for Each Discipline

One scholarly publication in kinesiology is called “Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise” which is authored by Lippincott Williams and Wilkins in 2018. The implications of physical exertion on the well-being of people are among the topics covered throughout this journal’s articles on exercise physiology and fitness training. One of the top journals in the field of sociology is “The American Journal of Sociology” authored Elisabeth S. Clemens in 2017. It disseminates unique research across the spectrum of sociology, including a particular emphasis on social concept, practice, and empirical review.

Professional Association in Each Discipline

“The American Sociological Association” is a scholarly and professional organization that supports sociology-related research and instruction. The institution’s objectives include expanding sociology theory and understanding, encouraging sociology’s applicability to social matters, and fostering sociologists’ career progression. On the other hand, “The American College of Sports Medicine” is a corporate and academic organization that supports kinesiology-related study and research. The organization strives to advance our understanding of how exercise and movement benefit our overall well-being as well as foster the professionalism of kinesiologists.

How and Why I Chose Kinesiology and Sociology

I am interested in learning how these fields of study, kinesiology and sociology, might aid my comprehension of human behavior. The science of human motion, kinesiology can shed light on how humans interact with their respective surroundings. The study of individual group interactions, sociology, has the potential to comprehend better the way people interact with one another, which is how I arrived at focusing on them.

These fields can support one another and are crucial to comprehending human behavior. For instance, kinesiology and sociology can aid in understanding how people move across space and engage with one another in social structure. I think that learning about sociology and kinesiology together will help me to get a comprehensive knowledge of social interaction. I am curious about how these fields can better my understanding of the world, and I think they will be useful to me in my work.

References

Clemens S. E. “The American Journal of Sociology.” (2017).

Collage of Applied Health Sciences. (2022). Kinesiology and Nutrition. Retrieved 1 October 2022, from https://ahs.uic.edu/kinesiology-nutrition/#kinesiology.

Israel, M. (2014). Research ethics and integrity for social scientists: Beyond regulatory compliance. Sage.

Knudson, D. (2014). What is a kinesiology journal? Comprehensive Psychology, 3, 03-CP. https://doi.org/10.2466/03.CP.3.20Knudson, D. V., & Brusseau, T. A. (Eds.). (2021). Introduction to Kinesiology: Studying Physical Activity. Human Kinetics.

Lahire, B. (2020). Sociology at the individual level, psychologies and neurosciences. European Journal of Social Theory, 23(1), 52-71. https://doi.org/10.1177/1368431018809548Little, W., McGivern, R., & Kerins, N. (2016). Introduction to sociology-2nd Canadian edition. BC Campus.

Repko, A. F., Szostak, R., & Buchberger, M. P. (2019). Introduction to interdisciplinary studies. Sage Publications.

Thompson, W. E., Hickey, J. V., & Thompson, M. L. (2016). Society in focus: An introduction to sociology. Rowman & Littlefield.

Van Hooren, B., & Peake, J. M. (2018). Do we need a cool-down after exercise? A narrative review of the psychophysiological effects and the effects on performance, injuries and the long-term adaptive response. Sports Medicine, 48(7), 1575-1595. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-018-0916-2Williams Lippincott & Wilkins. “Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.” (2018).