Qualitative Diagnosis of Human Movement
Authors: Knudson Duane V. 
Published: April 2020

For kinesiology professionals, qualitative movement diagnosis (QMD) is a critical skill in helping individuals improve performance or reduce the risk of injury. Qualitative Diagnosis of Human Movement: Improving Performance in Sport and Exercise, Third Edition, focuses on the processes behind movement observation, assessment, and diagnosis, emphasizing how to recognize and correct errors in human movement. This unique text teaches anyone working in human movement–related professions how to integrate and apply knowledge from the fields of kinesiology, allied health, and engineering to help clients, patients, or athletes improve their movement performance or move with a lower risk of injury.

Well received by scholars worldwide, the previous editions, formerly titled Qualitative Analysis of Human Movement, broke new ground as the first texts devoted to QMD. The third edition continues building on that foundation with a new title, Qualitative Diagnosis of Human Movement, to better reflect the diagnostic and corrective aspects of this critical skill. Following are other improvements to this edition:

• Expanded coverage of the use of video and computer technology shows readers how to use modern tools to aid in observation and evaluation of movement.

• An additional 80 new sources of research relevant to QMD illustrate the extent to which this area of study has taken hold in the kinesiology field.

• Online edition includes short video clips of human movements (throwing, catching, striking, running) for use in practicing analysis and QMD.

As in previous editions, Qualitative Diagnosis of Human Movement, Third Edition, organizes research-based knowledge into a simple theoretical structure supplemented with numerous examples of application. It introduces a four-task interdisciplinary model of QMD—preparation, observation, evaluation and diagnosis, and intervention—and summarizes the development of this approach and the perceptual factors relevant to movement diagnosis. Readers are then led through a series of tutorials that provide real-world examples. These practice scenarios will help readers better understand the process from beginning to end as they review photos in the book in QMD Practice sections.

In addition, a chapter titled Theory-Into-Practice Situations provides case studies spanning a variety of movement, fitness, and sport settings. These case studies are featured in the book to offer readers support in developing their own plan to assist the subject in the case study.

Qualitative Diagnosis of Human Movement, Third Edition, provides students, teachers, and researchers with a practical diagnostic framework, tutorials to guide them through the QMD process, advice on capturing relevant information from motor performances, and descriptions of intervention strategies. The updated edition is an invaluable tool capable of sharpening the skills of even experienced diagnosticians. This text will assist readers in integrating their knowledge of all kinesiology subdisciplines in order to develop or improve their skills in QMD and better serve their clients, patients, and athletes.