Human Kinetics is a  publisher specializing in the physical activity field. Their publications include textbooks and their ancillaries, consumer books and academic journals, online courses, software, and audio-visual products. They are intended for a range of audiences, including college students and professors, personal trainers, rehabilitation specialists, athletes, coaches, physical educators, and nutritionists. The company is based in Champaign, Illinois, with subsidiaries in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Kinesiology, also known as human kinetics, is the scientific study of human movement. Kinesiology addresses physiological, mechanical, and psychological mechanisms. Applications of kinesiology to human health include biomechanics and orthopedics; strength and conditioning; sport psychology; methods of rehabilitation, such as physical and occupational therapy; and sport and exercise. Individuals who have earned degrees in kinesiology can work in research, the fitness industry, clinical settings, and in industrial environments. Studies of human and animal motion include measures from motion tracking systems, electrophysiology of muscle and brain activity, various methods for monitoring physiological function, and other behavioral and cognitive research techniques.