Philosophy is one of the most recognized and influential ancient studies that we still use in our everyday lives. In the world of sport and Kinesiology specifically, we see how the philosophical thinking and the world of athletes cross over in many ways. From the rules of the sports we play, or the way that we create questions and turn them into studies in the Kinesiology world, philosophy is at the basis of everything we do.
In the department of Kinesiology at California State University of Fullerton and numerous other major University’s kinesiology departments, professors and graduate students alike take place-conducting studies that question and challenge the world of sport. This is where some of the best examples of the fields of Kinesiology and Philosophy meet. It is my opinion that questioning the movements of the human body, or how the physiology of the body changes while engaging in a certain physical activity, is the ideal relationship between philosophy and kinesiology.
Technology in golf swing analysis
With the emergence of technology and other methods of breaking down movements of the body and being able to study them at each phase, we are now able to see into a world that previously did not exist. With this, new questions also arise, thus a cross over of two ancient studies. I like to use the example of inductive reasoning, something that we discussed in the readings (Kretchmar) to show this cross over in effect today. The example I created pertains to the game of golf. In order to hit a golf ball cleanly, it must hit the club squarely. The ball hits the club squarely; therefore we have hit the ball cleanly. But what happens when we don’t hit the ball cleanly and why? With the new technology that we have and the philosophical aspect of wondering why, and wanting to know what caused the ball and club face not to impact each other correctly. We can now break down each movement to see how the golf swing works, from start to finish and find even the smallest change from swing to swing that may change the place of impact on the club face.
Not only the way that we are able to look at the swing has changed with the emergence of technology in the 21st century, but we have also seen some the biggest golf companies in the world, making changes in the way they create their products to help increase ball flight, speed, and various other elements of the golf game as a whole. Coaches are now able to video tape a players swing, analyze it, add lines, show marks of impact and slow everything down for the player, something that was impossible just 20 years ago. Big name companies also saw that the technology was there for them to use so they asked, “what can we do to keep evolving the game?” For example, they have taken swings from players of all levels, studied them, and created different flexes in the shafts they offer, based on the swing speed you are able to produce.
Golf swing breakdown
The cross over between kinesiology and philosophy has been a long time coming, and with the advances that we are making technologically, we are starting to see exactly where it can take us. The need for understanding and the desire to answer these questions are giving us new outlets into improving and advancing the sports that we have grown to love.
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