When creating a rehabilitation program, what is the first step the kinesiologist should take?

The first step a kinesiologist should take when creating a rehabilitation program is to assess the client's physical condition. This assessment is crucial as it establishes a baseline understanding of the client’s current abilities, limitations, and specific needs. By evaluating factors such as strength, flexibility, range of motion, balance, and any pain levels, the kinesiologist can identify the areas that require attention and tailor the rehabilitation program accordingly.

Understanding the client's physical condition also allows for the identification of any underlying issues that may need to be addressed before setting specific goals or choosing rehabilitation strategies. It forms the foundational knowledge that informs all subsequent steps in program development, ensuring that the approach taken is safe, effective, and personalized to the client's unique situation.

While setting client goals and researching best practices are important steps in the process, they are most effective and relevant after a thorough assessment has been conducted. Developing a timeline is also a later stage activity that should be based on the outcomes of the assessment findings and the goals set in collaboration with the client.