Evaluating Sources

     Critical sources, like scholarly articles, can provide the reader with both information and arguments about a specific topic. When it comes to critical sources in the field of Kinesiology you often find long (boring) pieces of work that includes terminology, definitions, concepts, and most of the time straight forward information. However, if one were to dissect this information, rather than trying to memorize it for a test you have the next day, one can find arguments that lay deep within the rather "boring" information.  
      I have recently read up on a scholarly article by Ralph L Wickstrom labeled "Developmental Kinesiology: Maturation of Basic Motor Patterns." Just like most scholarly articles produced by the field of Kinesiology, the article comes off rather bland. One could begin reading it and assume that Wickstrom is simply regurgitating terminology and definitions. However, it can be argued that Wickstrom himself is purposing and argument or rather an idea about Kinesiology. "The growth of developmental kinesiology has been accounted by the emergence of special terminology. New terms have appeared in the literature and some of them have gained a measure of acceptance." (Wickstrom)
     Yes it may seem that the quote by Wickstrom is straight forward. However, if you think deeply about what those rather simple two sentences conceptualize it is not as straight forward as one may have thought.

    The way I interpret the following quote by Wickstrom is that the field of Kinesiology is constantly developing over time. This is due to societies rapid increase of medical technology efficiency. The literal definition of what Kinesiology is "the study of the principles of mechanics and anatomy in relation to human movement." (Merriam-Webster) As technology has improved, the human body has been far more easy, well maybe easy isn't the right word,  to dissect. This allows the field of Kinesiology to develop our understanding of the human body in ways that had never been possible before.

References:

"Kinesiology." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.

 Wickstrom, Ralph L. "Developmental Kinesiology: Maturation of Basic Motor Pattern... : Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews." LWW. American College of Sports Medicine. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.

Americas Diet

   Today in my class section, Kinesiology 173: Foundation of Kinesiology, I learned that Americans spend over $33 billion annually on weight loss products and services. An estimated 50 million Americans go on diets each year, yet only 5% of these people manage to keep any weight loss for longer than 6 months. Upon learning that information, I am not to surprised. However, one has to ponder what the reason for this common failure to keep up with desired weight loss.   I believe it to be due to the way we have been raised as a nation collectively. Between, 1970 to 2001, the number of fast-food outlets in the U.S increased from about 30,000 to 222,000 and sales increased by about 500%. In 2003, only 20% of high school seniors reported eating Green Vegetables "nearly every day or more". "Eating patterns and preferences are formed in the early years of life." (Nestle)
     Along with these poor dieting adaptions, 60% of children 9-13 do not participate in any kind of organized sport of physical activity program outside of school. 
     No wonder no one can seem to maintain any weight loss! These companies producing these diet programs only care about one thing, you're money. Therefore they are not worried about you're long term maintenance, their worried about you purchasing their product. In order to maintain weight loss you must obtain a proportionate energy balance. Due to the way we our shaping the food industry in the U.S it is almost impossible for people, besides that 5%, to follow a healthy diet. 

Observing Community

   Michigan State provides its students with much opportunities to grow in their desired field of study. One of these sources of opportunities are campus organizations related to ones specific field of study. I am not currently in a group organization, however I got the opportunity to sit in on a meeting for the organization called the Pre-Phsycial Therapy Association (PPTA)                          

   At this meeting they gave me a a general idea of the benefits gained by being a part of this association. What I learned, is also listed on their website. Most associations at MSU have a website page similar to the PPTA. They informed me that the PPTA gives students the opportunity to:

• learn about the PT and OT fields through therapist visits and career information. 
• prepare for the graduate school application process
• build a support network of Pre-PT/OT students 
• learn about volunteer, research, and shadowing opportunities

PPTA's Mision statement: "To provide undergraduate students with the opportunities and information needed to be successful physical/occupational therapy program applicants" 

    By sitting in on this meeting I was able to point out differences in how these meetings are actually beneficial in comparison to the stereotypical representations that these student associations get. No, it is not just a bunch of "try hards" only being a part of this group for selfish reasons. Instead, it is a diverse group of college students that happen to want to make a difference in the field of Kinesiology. I plan on joining this association next year, and I would highly advise you do the same in your own respected fields. 

Communication in The Field of Kinesiology

Dialect is defined as "a special variety of language" and as "jargon. (Dictionary.com) If it were not for dialect we would all be using the same exact grammar and word choices, which simply just would never happen. Dialect is interesting because not only does it split many regions of states, counties, and the world up but it also is used to adjust how one speaks when it comes to a certain profession. In the kinesiology field, a branch of the medical field, we are taught to speak exactly how one would assume a future doctor would be brought up to speak. I find it very interesting that the knowledge I have been learning is in an essence been providing me with a new dialect.

However, not all kinesiology articles and essays have to be produced with such sharp doctor dialect. For example, Awaken Kinesiology (a popular blog to kinesiology) is not written in such the dialect one would assume would be required. 

   Along with the dialect, the style of the source  has a lot to do with communication. Awaken Kinesiology obtains a layout with bright colors that are appealing to the eyes. The paragraphs are shorter, more condensed, and just simpler than that of a scholarly article. The reason for this is because it is an online blog that seems to be unfiltered by scholarly publishers (can't prove this fact). No I can not support my statement that is less filtered than a published article/book but I myself am creating a blog, meaning that anyone can if they have the desire too. In order for me to get a scholarly article to be published it would require far more research and editing and honestly more requirements than I even have knowledge of. Due to this, I would trust scholarly articles and published books more than a blog. 

   Awaken Kinesiology definitely has the advantage of appeal to at least the younger generations if not all of them. The blog still uses dialect used in the medical field but it is not as extreme as in the scholarly article Developmental Kinesiology: Maturation of Basic Motor Patterns by Ralph L. Wickstorm. Wickstorm's article looks rather bland. However it provides a much more detailed description of the information provided. Another difference between Wickstorm's article and Awaken Kinesiology is the dialect. The medical dialect existed in Awaken Kinesiology, Wickstorm's article has a far more extreme use of the medical dialect. 

   The style and dialect used for both the blog and the scholarly article is appropriate for the audiences they are targeting. Scholarly articles about Kinesiology are attended for people trying to obtain information they can regurgitate and understand in which a way they can understand the human body. Blogs are more meant for the public; whether it be someone who is interested on boosting their health or a student like me looking to get more involved and educated on the field of Kinesiology. Due to this the Blog must be far more stylish and simpler in order to grasp the attention of a society that can't seem to focus their attention on much. With a blog you must make people want to read it, scholarly articles are more so forced upon scholars in order to become more educated. 

http://journals.lww.com/acsm-essr/Citation/1975/00030/Developmental_Kinesiology__Maturation_of_Basic.9.aspx

http://awakenkinesiology.com

The Money In Being a Doctor

    You know how that joke goes, Where some ladies Grandma wants them to marry a doctor or a lawyer. Growing up and even to this day I like to consider myself as a man of morality. I have made it a goal to pursue a profession where the effects the world in a positive way. However, I would be lying if I denied that money was also a big goal in my future profession. Lucky for me I actually have interest in the medical field. I have interest in becoming a physical therapist but I figure if I am going to take all of the similar courses that future doctors take I may as well pursue being a doctor.
    So how much money do Doctors even make. The answer varies. It depends on what type of doctor you are, you're reputation, and other aspects that affect other professions similarly. Lets examine the averages of certain fields of doctors.


Pediatrician starting salary averages : $135,000
Overall  Pediatrician salary averages : $175,000


Brain Surgeon Starting Average Salary: $395,000
Brain Surgeon Average Salary after 6 years of Residency: $589,500
 

Orthopedic Surgeon: $480,000

After looking over some of the base salaries for some general occupations in the medical field I am pleased. As unpopular as it may be to voice the truth, money is motivation. That may not be true for everyone but for me it is. However, the amount of money one can earn in the medical field makes sense due to the extreme difficultly it takes. Thats all for now, I have to get back to taking more notes on my introductory Physiology course :(. Till next Time,

Alec