Kinesiology
Kinesiology is the study of physical activity and its impact on health, society, and quality of life. Physical activity includes exercising for improvement of health and fitness; learning movement skills; and engaging in activities of daily living, work, sport, dance, and play. It involves the general population as well as special groups such as athletes, children and older adults; and people with disabilities, injuries, or disease.
The specialized areas in kinesiology include (but are not limited to) biomechanics, psychology of physical activity, exercise physiology, history of physical activity, measurement of physical activity, motor development, motor learning and control, philosophy of physical activity, physical activity and public health, physical education pedagogy, sport management, sports medicine, and the sociology of physical activity.
Professional Opportunities
Kinesiology degree jobs span across various fields, including health and wellness, sports and fitness, rehabilitation, and education. Students are encouraged to transfer to a 4-year university to complete a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. The B.S. degree prepares students for graduate study in such disciplines as exercise physiology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine and chiropractic. For more detailed information on career opportunities, please refer to the American Kinesiology Association's website.
Kinesiology Programs
Kinesiology AA-T Degree
Kinesiology is the study of the art and science of human movement throughout our lifespan. Students are introduced to evidence-based research supporting the wellness effects of exercise in our communities, schools, work place, and clinical settings. Kinesiology provides areas of study in teaching (pedagogy), coaching, group and personal training, health/fitness promotion, exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor learning and development, athletic training, sports management, dance, adapted physical education, sports psychology, sports nutrition, exercise equipment design/testing, wellness coaching, cardiac rehabilitation, and gerokinesiology, as well as pre-professional training for physical therapy, medicine, and research.
Fitness Specialist/Personal Trainer/Group Fitness Instructor Certificate of Achievement
The Fitness Specialist/Personal Trainer/Group Fitness Instructor Certificate of Achievement prepares students to successfully obtain an NCCA Accredited Personal Training/ Group Fitness Certification and earn secondary specialized fitness certifications. The curriculum requires 15.5 units of required courses and 4-6 units of elective courses. Graduates will be able to use scientifically anchored periodization protocols to deliver safe and effective exercise training programs. Students will gain practical experience communicating with clients in a 1-on-1 scenario and in small and large group training environments.
Kinesiology Activity Classes
1 Unit (Lab 2 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area E), UC
Students learn intermediate swimming skills. Skills for each stroke include kicking, arm stroke, proper breathing techniques, body position, and rhythm of stroke. The student also learns water safety skills.
1 Unit (Lab 2 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area E), UC
Advanced swimmers improve their speed, strength, and endurance. Instructor directs organized, challenging workouts with all four competitive strokes. Students should be able to swim 50 yards, without stopping, in deep water using the freestyle stroke and rotary breathing. At the first pool session, students’ swimming ability will be assessed to ensure minimum skills for participation
1 Unit (Lab 2 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area E), UC
The student develops the basic skills of self-defense, beginning with lateral movement, strength and cardiovascular fitness, agility, and awareness of self in one’s environment. The basic skills include striking, kicking, blocking, throwing, grappling, and other techniques. Additionally, legal and moral issues of self-defense are discussed.
1 Unit (Lab 2 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area E), UC
Students participate in a variety of vigorous exercises for increasing cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, and flexibility. Various modes of aerobic exercises are emphasized in support of the cross-training concept. Resistance training using fixed weight of moderate to high intensity is used to develop muscular strength in all major muscle groups. Flexibility training is also emphasized to enhance skeletal range of motion. Information on exercise methods and principles, the physiology of the human body, fitness evaluation methodologies, and nutrition education
1 Unit
(Lab 2 Hrs) Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area E), UC
Level 1
Students develop muscular strength and endurance using weight machines and free weights. They employ proper training techniques necessary to maintain personal fitness throughout the lifespan.
Level 2
Students develop resistance training experience and become involved in a higher level of exercise. They will be exposed to a wide variety of machine as well as free weight exercises and will then design a program based on individual needs.
Level 3
Students develop an advanced level in weight training and techniques
that promote muscular strength and endurance. Excelled use of free weights and machines along with safety rules are mastered. Students enrolling in Advanced Weight Training are required to take a skills test.
1 Unit (Lab 2 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area E), UC
Level 1
Students learn the physical practice of yoga, connecting body, mind, and spirit. The students are introduced to its origins, asanas (positions), and terminology.
Level 2
Students progress in the physical practice of yoga asana, moving beyond beginning level positions and sequences, developing balance in body alignment, flexibility, and strength. The students learn asanas (positions), terminology, and gain greater understanding of yoga philosophy and its application to daily life.
Level 3
Students learn the physical and psychological aspects of yogathrough the practice of connecting body, mind, and spirit. The students are introduced to its origins, asanas (positions), and terminology.
1 Unit (Lab 2 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area E), UC
Level 1
Students learn the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to play badminton such as the serve, clear, drop and smash shots, rules, and basic strategies for the games of singles and doubles.
Level 2
Students learn the skills and knowledge necessary to play badminton
at the intermediate skill level such as the serve, clear, drop and
smash shots, feints, rules, and intermediate level strategies for the
games of singles and doubles.
1 Unit (Lab 2 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area E), UC
Level 1
Students learn the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to play tennis such as serve, forehand and backhand, ground strokes and volleys, singles and doubles rules, and basic court positioning and strategy.
Level 2
Students learn intermediate level skills and knowledge to play tennis. Essential aspects of the game are presented through lecture, demonstration, group and individual drills, stroke analysis, theory, and application of singles and doubles play. Emphasis is also placed on physical fitness. This skill level articulates with United
States Tennis Association’s level 2.5 to 3.0.
1 Unit (Lab 2 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area E), UC
Level 1
Students practice, at a beginning level, the fundamental skills of basketball (dribbling, shooting, and passing) and basic offensive and defensive team strategies through instruction and drills.
Level 2
Students practice, at an intermediate level, the fundamental skills of basketball (dribbling, shooting, and passing) and improve their ability to perform these skills under game conditions. They learn how to be a contributing team member on offense and defenseby setting screens, playing various zone defenses, and running a
half-court press.
1 Unit (Lec 0.5 / Lab 2.5 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area E), UC
Level 1
Students learn basic soccer skills of passing, dribbling, shooting, and goalkeeping. The course will also introduce individual and team offense and defense, as well as the rules, proper etiquette, terminology, and the components of fitness. Students will learn proper soccer techniques with practice skills and feedback.
Level 2
Students learn fundamental skills, team strategies, rules of the games, refereeing, and active participation of game play. Students also learn how activities can lead to an active, healthy lifestyle by developing a personal fitness plan.
1 Unit (Lab 2 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area E), UC
Level 1
The student will learn and develop a basic understanding of volleyball. The student will learn the basic skills of serving, passing, setting, attacking, and blocking. The student will also learn the tactical skills of basic volleyball offensive and defensive play and well as the rules and scoring.
Level 2
Students learn volleyball skills and techniques. Skills learned are passing, serving, hitting, and blocking. The students also learn strategy used for games and the rules of the sport.
1 Unit (Lab 2 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area E), UC
Level 1
This course increases and helps maintain both cardiovascular endurance and leg strength through stationary bike workouts. Intensity is high and challenging. Resting and target heart rates are used to monitor improvements in the students’ cardiovascular system.
Level 2
This course covers the intermediate principles designed to build on basic techniques from Bicycle Spinning I. Intervals, rolling hills, sprints, climbs, runs, and jumps challenge students to improve their cardiovascular system, help build leg strength, burn calories, and increase endurance.
1 Unit (Lab 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area E), UC
Students focus on achieving cardiovascular fitness and a healthy lifestyle through walking programs and gate training. Course topics include shoe selection, posture, gait, walking styles, flexibility, clothing, creating a walking program, nutrition, BMI, cardiovascular disease prevention, and assessing fitness level.
1 Unit (Lab 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area E), UC
Level 1
Students gain an introduction to the game of pickleball with emphasis on understanding rules and etiquette, choosing appropriate equipment, performing basic serves and strokes, keeping score during game play, applying appropriate strategies, and recognizing the benefits of pickleball to overall wellness
Level 2
Students continue to progress in accuracy, pace and consistency using the various strokes like forehand, backhand, and volley to sustain a rally. Students learn new strokes like lobs and dinks and when to use them
1 Unit (Lab 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area E), UC
Students learn a variety of cross training activities to achieve their personal fitness goals. Includes lectures on nutrition, exercise physiology concepts, and participation in a workout designed to improve cardiovascular conditioning and body composition, and increase muscle strength/endurance and flexibility
Kinesiology Majors Courses
3 Units (RPT 1) (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU, UC, C-ID (KIN 100)
Students learn about the study of human movement through an interdisciplinary approach that includes discussing the importance of the sub-disciplines in kinesiology and the variety of career opportunities in the areas of teaching, allied health, and fitness professions.
3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU, UC
The student will learn the skills, organization, and techniques of coaching athletic activities. Topics include facilities, management, budget, coaching techniques, philosophies, and administration.
3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU, UC
The student will explore a wide range of moral and ethical issues in sports today. Topics include values, principles, racial and gender equity, coaching, commercialization, enhancing stimulants and eligibility, violence, sportsmanship, and the Code of Ethics in sports. Discussions include perspectives on the ethical issues facing athletes today in youth sports, intercollegiate athletics, Olympic sports, and professional sports.
3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU, UC
The student will explore the chronological history, analysis and interpretation of diversity, equity and inclusion in sports. Physiological, sociological, and psychological aspects of female athletes, as related to all areas of sports, are covered. Students gain an understanding of the significant events of women in athletics from the past to the present and how their significance determines the future of women in sports. All students are welcome in this course.
2 Units (Lec 2 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU, UC
The student will explore the importance of fitness assessments and how assessment relates to overall program development. Topics include: Assessment of cardio-respiratory endurance, body composition fat analysis, evaluation of muscular strength and endurance, evaluating flexibility, measuring heart rate and blood pressure techniques, and evaluation of exercise test results. Additional topics include: Risk factor evaluations, development of individual exercise programs, factors influencing exercise programs, and the ethics of exercise testing.
1.5 Units (Lec 1 Hr; Lab 1 Hr)
Transfer Credit: CSU
The student will learn how to design and deliver a safe and effective group fitness class and become prepared to sit for a fitness industry recognized, group fitness certification examination. The student will develop the knowledge and understanding to instruct group fitness classes, emphasizing the design of physiologically safe and
effective group fitness instruction for general populations. Focus will be placed on the foundations of group fitness, the components of effective group fitness instruction, and current trends in group fitness modalities.
1.5 Units (Lec 1 Hr; Lab 1 Hr)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area E)
The students will learn to teach a variety of strength training techniques and activities for individuals and groups. Topics include how to properly perform strength training, equipment use, safety factors, principles of strength training, speed and agility
training, and basic anatomy and physiology as it applies to strength training. Students will learn how to design resistance training programs using the science of periodization.
3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU, UC
The student will examine how the body functions under conditions of exercise stress. This course covers the fundamentals of human movement, anatomy, the practical applications of muscle function, cardio-respiratory testing and functions, principles of exercise, training techniques, energy metabolism, and the effect of environmental
conditions on exercise.
3 Units (Lec 2 Hrs / Lab 2 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU
Students will develop the knowledge and understanding to prepare for an NCCA Personal Trainer Certification Exam and become effective personal trainers. This is a comprehensive course for designing individualized programs based on each client’s unique health, fitness, and goals. The information covered by this course will help
the student learn how to facilitate rapport, adherence, self-efficacy, and behavior change in clients, as well as design programs that help clients to improve posture, movement, flexibility, balance, core function, cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscular endurance and strength.
2 Units (Lec 2 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU, UC
The student will learn the principles, background, and rationale for current nutritional guidelines specifically for athletes. Using a physiological basis, this course provides an in-depth look at the science behind sports nutrition and the influence of nutrition on exercise performance, training, and recovery. Areas of focus include effects
of nutrition on training adaptations, weight management and body composition for athletes, recommendations for carbohydrate intake during training, the role of protein in strength and endurance training, how supplements are used in an athletes' diet, how to balance energy and the role of electrolytes and nutrition for special
populations and optimal immune function.
3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU
The students will gain the knowledge and understanding necessary for gaining employment as a Physical Therapy Aide in environments such as hospitals, nursing homes, private practices, rehabilitation centers, and sports medicine clinics. Students learn how to prepare treatment areas, transport patients, instruct rehabilitation
exercises and complete administrative tasks.
3 Units (Lec 2 Hrs; Lab 2 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU, UC
The student will learn the principles, techniques, and ethics used by the athletic trainer in the care and prevention of athletic injuries. The scope of this class includes identification of common athletic injuries, their causes, and preventative measures, first aid treatment, and associated follow-up care.
3 Units (Lec 2 Hrs; Lab 2 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU, UC
Prerequisite: KIN MAJ 128
The students will learn the advanced care and prevention of athletic injuries. It encompasses advanced aspects of identifying common athletic injuries, emergency treatment, preventive measures, and associated follow-up care using advanced rehabilitation techniques.
1 Units (Lab 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU
Prerequisite: KIN MAJ 114 or KIN MAJ 117
The student will participate in either an on-campus or off-campus internship under the supervision of a faculty member within the Kinesiology Department. Internships enable students to develop an understanding and working knowledge of actual operations, events, planning, and management within the career fi elds of Kinesiology. The internship experience is an essential component in a student's course of study designed to facilitate the integration of theoretical, applied, and academic subject matter in the field.
2 Units (Lec 1 Hr / Lab 2 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU, UC
This class provides training in lifesaving skills and students are certified in the latest American Red Cross Lifeguarding program. Lifeguard program certification includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid, automated external defibrillator (AED), oxygen administration, and lifeguard management procedures.
3 Units (Lec 2 Hrs; Lab 2 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area E), UC
The student will learn and prepare for the American Red Cross water safety instructor certification. This course teaches individuals how to instruct students in all levels of swimming and water safety skills. An American Red Cross-Water Safety Instructor certificate is granted upon the successful course completion and qualifying
physical exam. This is part of LACC’s Life Guard Certificate Program.
3 Units (Lec 3 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU
Advisory: KIN MAJ 114 or KIN MAJ 117
Students will learn the theory and application of how to appropriately assess and train aging client populations. This course covers the physiological aspects of aging, pre-exercise health screening and assessment, exercise prescription and programming, mental acuity, motivation, and communication strategies for older adults to create safe and effective exercise programs for this population
3 Units (Lec 2 Hrs; Lab 2 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU (CSUGE Area E), UC
Students learn the theory, skills, and coaching strategies to become kettlebell proficient. Students will learn the historical origins and benefits of kettlebell training and its impact on the human movement system including exercise physiology, biomechanics, and motor learning. Students will practice, design, and implement foundational kettlebell exercises to safely improve endurance, strength,
and power in human performance.
3 Units (Lec 2 Hrs / Lab 2 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU
Students learn the knowledge, skills, and abilities to become Functional
Movement Screen Certified. Students will learn and identify common musculoskeletal dysfunctions and pathologies. Students will explore the impact of movement dysfunction on the muscular, skeletal, and myofascial system and design and implement corrective exercise strategies to improve overall functional movement.
2 Units (Lec 1 Hr; Lab 2 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU
Prerequisite: KIN MAJ 217
Students learn the knowledge, skills, and abilities to become Functional
Movement Screen Level 2 Certified (FMS L2). Students will learn how to select the optimal exercises based on an individual’s Functional Movement Screen results and prescribe a corrective exercise plan to enhance a person’s movement competency for lifelong movement health. The course will review the Functional Movement Screen scoring and interpretation, corrective exercise philosophy and strategies, review case studies for practical application, and teach students how properly progress exercises to improve a client’s movement pattern limitations.
3 Units (Lec 2 Hrs; Lab 2 Hrs)
Transfer Credit: CSU
Advisory: KIN MAJ 117
Students learn the theory, skills, and coaching strategies to become a certified Applied Health and Human Performance Specialist (AHHPS). Students will learn the Institute of Motion’s (IOM) four quadrant (4Q) neuromechanical classification system of human movement to design progressive exercise programs for personal
training clients and athletes. Students will practice, design, and implement foundational 4Q exercises to safely improve endurance, strength, and power in human performance.