Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Kinesiology Manager Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Kinesiology Manager Assistant supports the Kinesiology Manager and multidisciplinary teams in planning, coordinating, and delivering clinical, research, and performance programs. This role combines administrative coordination, hands-on exercise testing and training support, equipment and lab oversight, participant recruitment and data management, and cross-functional communication to ensure high-quality services and research outcomes. Strong organizational, interpersonal, and technical skills in exercise testing, biomechanics instrumentation, and clinical documentation are essential.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Kinesiology Coordinator / Program Coordinator
Exercise Physiologist / Strength & Conditioning Specialist
Clinical Research Assistant in exercise science

Advancement To:

Kinesiology Manager / Lab Manager
Director of Sports Science or Clinical Operations
Lead Research Coordinator / Senior Exercise Physiologist

Lateral Moves:

Clinical Coordinator (Rehabilitation or Physical Therapy)
Research Coordinator (Human Performance or Biomedical)
Community Outreach / Program Development Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Coordinate day-to-day operations of the kinesiology lab and clinical testing suites, including scheduling staff, student assistants, clinicians, and participant appointments to maximize lab utilization and client satisfaction.
Assist the Kinesiology Manager in developing, implementing, and monitoring clinical and performance programs such as exercise testing, rehabilitation protocols, strength and conditioning sessions, and community wellness initiatives.
Administer and supervise exercise testing (VO2 max, lactate threshold, graded exercise tests, submaximal testing) and physiological assessments while ensuring participant safety, protocol fidelity, and high-quality data capture.
Operate, calibrate, and maintain performance and research equipment including metabolic carts, force plates, isokinetic dynamometers, electromyography (EMG), motion capture systems, and heart-rate monitoring devices.
Collect, enter, clean, and manage participant data using databases and electronic systems (e.g., REDCap, Qualtrics, EMR, Excel) to support clinical decision-making and research analyses.
Support recruitment and retention of research participants and clinical clients by coordinating outreach, screening, informed consent procedures, and follow-up communications.
Train, supervise, and mentor undergraduate and graduate student researchers, interns, and temporary staff on clinical procedures, data collection protocols, equipment use, and safety practices.
Ensure all clinical and research activities comply with institutional policies, IRB protocols, HIPAA regulations, and applicable safety standards; assist with protocol submissions and amendments as needed.
Assist with budget monitoring, purchasing, and inventory control for supplies, maintenance contracts, and equipment repairs; process purchase requests and track expenditures.
Prepare, format, and contribute to technical reports, grant applications, IRB documents, manuscripts, and presentations by compiling data, creating figures, and proofreading content.
Provide front-line client and patient interactions: perform intake evaluations, explain testing procedures, record medical histories, and communicate results clearly and professionally to clients, physicians, and stakeholders.
Implement and document quality assurance procedures for equipment and testing protocols, including regular calibration logs, safety checks, and preventative maintenance schedules.
Coordinate interdisciplinary communication among clinicians, faculty, coaches, and external partners to align program goals, share findings, and schedule collaborative activities.
Monitor participant safety during all exercise sessions and testing, recognize adverse events or red flags, and follow emergency response procedures (CPR/AED/first aid) when necessary.
Lead or assist with program evaluation and continuous improvement efforts by analyzing outcomes data, soliciting stakeholder feedback, and recommending operational changes.
Manage electronic health records or clinical databases: enter clinical notes, update participant progress, and ensure documentation is complete and audit-ready.
Assist with onboarding, training, and performance evaluations for support staff and student employees; create training materials, checklists, and competency assessments.
Support marketing and outreach initiatives by preparing program descriptions, web content, social media posts, and community event coordination to increase program visibility and recruitment.
Facilitate logistics for conferences, workshops, and community clinics, including scheduling spaces, producing participant handouts, transporting equipment, and collecting registration fees.
Serve as a point of contact for external vendors and service providers to arrange equipment service, software support, and specialized training for staff.
Conduct literature reviews and contribute to study design discussions, protocol development, and pilot testing to support new research and program initiatives.
Maintain a clean, safe, and accessible lab environment by enforcing infection control, sanitation protocols, equipment storage standards, and signage for hazards or restricted areas.
Produce regular operational metrics and performance dashboards (e.g., client throughput, test completion rates, revenue vs. budget) to inform managerial decision-making.
Coordinate billing or invoicing processes for clinical services and ensure accurate coding, fee collection, and reconciliation with finance or central billing departments.

Secondary Functions

Provide ad-hoc technical support and troubleshooting for lab software, hardware, and instrument interfaces during testing and data acquisition.
Assist in the development and rollout of new lab SOPs, training modules, and onboarding documentation to scale services efficiently.
Participate in interdisciplinary meetings and contribute operational insights to research grant proposals and curriculum development.
Support the Kinesiology Manager with special projects such as facility upgrades, accreditation reviews, and large-scale event planning.
Coordinate student practicum placements and supervise experiential learning activities to ensure learning objectives and compliance with program standards.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient in exercise testing protocols (maximal and submaximal VO2 tests, graded exercise tests, metabolic assessments) and related safety procedures.
Experienced with biomechanics and performance assessment tools (motion capture, force plates, EMG, dynamometry) including setup, calibration, and basic troubleshooting.
Strong data management skills: experience using REDCap, Qualtrics, electronic medical records (EMR), or equivalent database systems for secure data collection and participant tracking.
Advanced Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data cleaning) and PowerPoint for preparing reports and presentations.
Familiarity with statistical software and data analysis tools (SPSS, R, Python, MATLAB) for summarizing performance and research outcomes.
Working knowledge of cardiopulmonary monitoring systems (ECG, heart-rate telemetry), blood pressure measurement, and basic lab diagnostics.
Comfortable managing inventories, vendor relationships, purchase orders, and budget reconciliation in a university or clinical setting.
Experience with IRB processes, informed consent procedures, and research compliance documentation.
Certified in CPR/AED and first aid; preferably certified exercise physiologist credentials (ACSM CEP/EIM), NSCA-CSCS, or equivalent professional certifications.
Ability to create and maintain SOPs, calibration logs, and quality-assurance documentation for technical equipment and clinical workflows.
Basic IT literacy for connecting hardware to acquisition software, installing drivers, and coordinating IT support tickets.

Soft Skills

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for client interactions, report writing, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Strong organizational and project-management abilities to juggle scheduling, multiple studies, and program deliverables with competing deadlines.
Leadership and supervisory aptitude to train, mentor, and evaluate student staff while maintaining high standards of care and research integrity.
Detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy in data collection, documentation, and compliance-related tasks.
Problem-solving mindset and adaptability when facing equipment failures, scheduling conflicts, or emergent participant issues.
Customer-service orientation and professional demeanor when engaging community participants, patients, athletes, and external stakeholders.
Ability to work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team in fast-paced clinical and research environments.
Time-management and prioritization skills to balance administrative duties with hands-on testing and support responsibilities.
Ethical judgment and discretion in handling sensitive health information and confidential research data.
Initiative to identify process improvements and lead small operational projects that enhance lab efficiency and participant experience.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Human Performance, Physical Therapy Assistant, Athletic Training, or a closely related field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, Public Health, Rehabilitation Science, or related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Kinesiology / Exercise Science / Human Performance
Biomechanics / Motor Control
Rehabilitation Sciences / Physical Therapy / Athletic Training
Public Health / Clinical Research Methods

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2–5 years of relevant experience in a clinical, lab, or sports performance setting; may include internships and supervised clinical rotations.

Preferred:

3–7 years of progressive experience supporting lab or clinical operations, supervising students, and managing program logistics in an academic, medical, or sports performance environment.
Prior experience with research protocols, IRB-backed studies, grant-supported projects, or outpatient rehabilitation clinics is highly desirable.