Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Kinesiology Instructor Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Kinesiology Instructor Assistant supports faculty in delivering high-quality kinesiology, exercise science, biomechanics, and motor learning instruction. This role combines hands-on lab supervision, lecture support, student mentoring, assessment and grading, equipment maintenance, and assistance with curriculum and research activities. The ideal candidate is safety-conscious, experienced with exercise testing and lab instrumentation, and skilled at coaching diverse learners in classroom, lab, and field settings.

Optimized keywords: Kinesiology Instructor Assistant, Kinesiology Teaching Assistant, Exercise Science Lab Assistant, biomechanics teaching support, fitness testing, lab supervision, curriculum support, student mentoring.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (Kinesiology or Exercise Science)
Student Worker or Lab Technician in an Exercise Science Laboratory
Recent graduate with a B.S. in Kinesiology, Exercise Science, or related field

Advancement To:

Kinesiology Instructor / Lecturer
Clinical Exercise Physiologist or Exercise Specialist
Kinesiology Lab Manager or Coordinator
Graduate Research Assistant / PhD Student in Biomechanics or Exercise Science

Lateral Moves:

Fitness & Wellness Program Coordinator
Athletic Trainer Assistant or Rehabilitation Aide
Sports Performance Coach or Strength & Conditioning Assistant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Assist course instructors in planning and delivering lectures, laboratory sessions, and recitation classes for undergraduate kinesiology, biomechanics, motor learning, and exercise physiology courses; prepare lesson materials and clearly communicate learning objectives to students.
Supervise and instruct students during hands-on laboratory experiments and practical skills sessions, demonstrating proper techniques for movement analysis, EMG application, motion capture procedures, force plate testing, and other biomechanics instrumentation.
Conduct and oversee fitness and physiological assessments (e.g., submaximal and maximal exercise tests, VO2 measurement support, body composition testing, muscular strength/endurance evaluations), ensuring standardized protocols, informed consent, and participant safety at all times.
Provide one-on-one and small-group academic support through scheduled office hours, review sessions, and on-demand tutoring focused on anatomy, kinesiology concepts, data interpretation, and lab report preparation.
Grade assignments, practical exams, laboratory reports, and quizzes using clear rubrics; provide constructive, actionable feedback to promote student learning and skill development.
Prepare, calibrate, and maintain laboratory equipment (metabolic carts, treadmills, cycle ergometers, EMG systems, motion capture cameras, force platforms); document maintenance, troubleshoot issues, and coordinate repairs with campus facilities or vendors.
Assist faculty with the development and revision of course materials, including lab protocols, safety manuals, assignment specifications, learning modules, and assessment instruments aligned to course learning outcomes.
Enforce laboratory safety protocols, emergency action plans, and universal precautions; verify student CPR/AED first-aid readiness and maintain lab compliance with institutional and regulatory safety standards.
Support the recruitment, enrollment, and onboarding of study participants for classroom-based research and applied projects; screen eligibility, obtain informed consent, and schedule testing sessions while maintaining confidentiality and data security.
Lead data collection and quality control processes for student projects and faculty research (e.g., instrument calibration checks, standardized data capture procedures, file naming conventions) and ensure high fidelity of raw data.
Perform initial data processing and analysis for instructional use, including cleaning datasets, running descriptive statistics, creating visualizations, and preparing summary tables for faculty review using Excel, SPSS, R, or MATLAB.
Mentor and supervise undergraduate student workers, peer tutors, and lab volunteers by assigning tasks, delivering training on lab procedures and equipment use, and evaluating performance to ensure a productive learning environment.
Design and facilitate inclusive instruction and accommodations for students with disabilities or varied physical abilities, collaborating with disability services to implement adaptive physical activity modifications and accessible assessment strategies.
Coordinate laboratory schedules, manage student sign-ups for equipment and testing slots, and maintain an organized booking system to maximize efficient use of lab resources and minimize schedule conflicts.
Assist with accreditation, program assessment, and continuous improvement activities by collecting learning outcome data, compiling assessment evidence, and preparing summary reports for program faculty.
Create and maintain detailed documentation including lab protocols, safety checklists, participant logs, equipment inventories, calibration records, and training manuals to support reproducibility and institutional knowledge transfer.
Support faculty-led applied research projects by recruiting participants, collecting biomechanical and physiological measures, entering and backing up research data, and contributing to literature reviews or methods write-ups as needed.
Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration by liaising with allied health programs (physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training), campus recreation, and community fitness partners to coordinate experiential learning opportunities and field experiences.
Manage consumable supplies and inventory for labs (electrodes, electrodes gel, disposable masks, disinfectant, test forms), process purchase requests, and coordinate with purchasing to keep essential items in stock.
Deliver safety briefings, pre-test screenings (PAR-Q+, health questionnaires), and participant orientation for lab sessions; escalate medical or safety issues promptly to supervising faculty or campus health services.
Support virtual and hybrid instruction by preparing and curating digital resources (video demonstrations, lab walkthroughs, data sets), recording procedural demonstrations, and assisting with online discussion moderation when courses have an e-learning component.
Contribute to continuous improvement by soliciting student feedback, analyzing assessment outcomes, and recommending pedagogical or logistical adjustments to improve learning, safety, and engagement.
Promote a positive and professional learning climate by modeling ethical behavior, confidentiality, respect for diversity, and an evidence-based approach to kinesiology practice.

Secondary Functions

Assist in grant-related administrative tasks, including budget tracking for equipment and supplies and documenting research-related expenditures.
Contribute to outreach efforts such as open houses, lab demonstrations for prospective students, and community workshops on physical activity and wellness.
Support ad-hoc data visualization requests for faculty and departmental reports; create clear charts and figures for presentations and publications.
Participate in departmental meetings and curriculum committees as requested; provide a student-focused perspective on course delivery and lab operations.
Help coordinate field trips, community testing events, and off-campus practicums that provide real-world kinesiology experience for students.
Collaborate with IT and instructional design to improve lab learning technologies and virtual content delivery.
Maintain certification records, training logs, and professional development documentation for the instructional team.
Support implementation of digital scheduling systems and help troubleshoot student access issues related to course or lab logistics.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

In-depth knowledge of kinesiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor control, and human anatomy relevant to undergraduate instruction.
Practical experience administering and interpreting common fitness and physiological assessments (VO2 testing support, submaximal tests, body composition assessment using skinfolds, BIA, or DXA support).
Proficiency operating lab instrumentation: EMG systems, motion capture cameras, force plates, goniometers, dynamometers, treadmills, cycle ergometers, and metabolic carts.
Competence with data analysis and scientific software: Excel (advanced), SPSS, R, MATLAB, and common motion analysis suites (e.g., Vicon Nexus, Qualisys, Motion Analysis).
Laboratory safety and risk management skills, including bloodborne pathogen training, PPE use, and adherence to institutional safety protocols.
Experience preparing lab protocols, lesson plans, rubrics, and grading schemas aligned to learning outcomes.
Familiarity with human subjects research practices, IRB procedures, informed consent, and confidentiality standards.
Basic equipment maintenance and troubleshooting skills, including calibration procedures and working with vendors for repairs.
Ability to create clear technical documentation: SOPs, participant instructions, data dictionaries, and lab manuals.
Working knowledge of accessibility and adaptive physical activity strategies, collaborating with disability services to modify lab activities.

Soft Skills

Clear, patient, and engaging verbal and written communication tailored to students and faculty.
Strong instructional and coaching presence with the ability to demonstrate complex movement and laboratory skills effectively.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail for scheduling, inventory management, and data integrity.
Mentoring and interpersonal skills to support diverse learners, provide constructive feedback, and foster professional development.
Problem-solving and critical thinking to adapt protocols, resolve equipment issues, and manage emergent safety situations.
Collaboration and teamwork to work closely with faculty, staff, and interdisciplinary partners.
Time management and prioritization, balancing multiple courses, grading deadlines, and lab responsibilities.
Cultural competence and inclusivity in working with students of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
Ethical judgment and professional integrity particularly related to student data, research, and confidentiality.
Adaptability and learning orientation to adopt new technologies, teaching methods, and research protocols.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Human Movement Science, Biomechanics, Physical Education, or a closely related field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, or enrollment in a graduate program in a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Kinesiology / Human Movement Science
Exercise Science / Exercise Physiology
Biomechanics / Motor Control
Physical Education / Sport Science
Rehabilitation Sciences / Pre-Physical Therapy

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years of direct experience in a kinesiology lab, fitness testing environment, clinical exercise setting, or as a teaching assistant. Recent graduates with relevant practicum or internship experience are eligible.

Preferred:

1–3 years as a lab technician, teaching assistant, fitness assessment technician, or equivalent applied experience.
Prior experience supervising students or coordinating lab activities and demonstrated competency with lab instrumentation and safety protocols.
Certifications such as CPR/AED, First Aid, and preferred clinical credentials (e.g., ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, NSCA, or similar) are a plus.