AI literacy and effective prompting for health, sport, and kinesiology: The guidelines and resources for teaching and coaching.

Published on February 7, 2026
The IOHSK Post
Authored by
Dr. Hosung So (California State University, San Bernardino, USA)
Dr. Hyeonho Yu (Ball State University, Indiana, USA)

AI literacy in teaching and coaching is becoming a core professional competency across health, sport, and kinesiology and this newsletter article is designed to support that growth.

Building AI Literacy for Teaching, Coaching, and Professional Practice

Artificial intelligence (AI) literacy and effective prompting are increasingly essential skills for educators, coaches, and practitioners working in health, sport, and kinesiology. As AI tools become more accessible and influential across education, performance analysis, and clinical support, professionals must understand not only what AI can do, but how to use it responsibly and effectively. This article is developed to provide IOHSK members with foundational knowledge paired with practical guidance that supports informed, ethical, and productive engagement with AI technologies.

At its core, Artificial Intelligence refers to the ability of computer systems to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. These tasks may include reasoning, problem-solving, recognizing patterns, making decisions, and understanding or generating language. Within the broader category of AI are Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL), which enable systems to learn directly from data rather than relying solely on pre-programmed rules. In applied settings such as health and sport, these technologies are increasingly used to analyze complex information, including movement patterns, performance metrics, and medical images.

Machine Learning allows systems to identify trends and relationships within data and to improve their performance over time. For example, ML-powered applications may learn from an athlete’s training history to suggest appropriate workloads or recovery strategies. Deep Learning, a more advanced subset of ML, uses multi-layered neural networks to detect highly complex patterns in large datasets. This approach supports technologies such as biomechanical video analysis and medical imaging interpretation, assisting professionals in making more informed decisions.

Another rapidly expanding area is Generative AI. Generative AI models are designed to create new content based on patterns learned from extensive training data. These systems can generate text, images, code, audio, video, and simulations. In educational and coaching contexts, generative AI can support the creation of lesson plans, quizzes, visual diagrams, rehabilitation concepts, and practice scenarios, all guided by user input. Common examples include text-based tools such as ChatGPT and image-generation platforms that visualize anatomical or movement concepts.

Several foundational concepts are important for understanding how AI systems function. A model refers to an AI system that has been trained to perform a specific task, such as prediction, classification, or content generation. A prompt is the input provided by the user—such as a question, instruction, or set of parameters—that guides the model’s output. Training describes the process by which AI systems learn from data, identifying patterns and relationships that allow them to generalize to new situations.

The effectiveness of AI tools depends heavily on the quality of the prompts used to guide them. Well-designed prompts are intentional, specific, and aligned with instructional or professional goals. Effective prompts clearly define the task or goal, provide relevant context, identify the intended audience, establish constraints or parameters, specify the desired output format, and indicate an appropriate tone or style. In many cases, prompts also request a rationale or explanation, encouraging deeper reasoning rather than surface-level responses.

Each of these elements plays an important instructional role. Clearly stating the task ensures that AI outputs remain focused and aligned with the user’s objectives. Providing context allows responses to be tailored to realistic settings, such as specific sports, age groups, or educational environments. Defining the audience helps adjust complexity, terminology, and examples to ensure relevance and comprehension. Constraints keep outputs practical and usable, while specifying format improves organization and ease of application. Tone influences engagement and professionalism, and requesting rationales supports critical thinking and conceptual understanding.

Across physical education, coaching, and kinesiology education, thoughtfully constructed prompts can support a wide range of applications. In physical education, AI may assist with lesson planning, inclusive activity design, or age-appropriate explanations of health concepts. In coaching contexts, AI can support preseason planning, motivational communication, and technical cue development. Within undergraduate and graduate kinesiology courses, AI tools can assist with assessment creation, biomechanical explanations, and academically styled summaries of research-based practices.

When used appropriately, AI should be viewed as a supportive tool that enhances teaching, coaching, and professional practice—not as a shortcut or replacement for human expertise. Clear expectations, ethical use, and intentional prompt design allow AI to contribute meaningfully to learning, instruction, and decision-making.

Teaching Tip for Students and Instructors
Well-written prompts significantly improve the accuracy, relevance, and educational value of AI-generated outputs. By providing clear instructions and thoughtful context, educators and practitioners can ensure that AI functions as a meaningful support for learning and professional practice rather than a substitute for critical thinking.

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Citation:
So, H., & Yu, H. (2026, February 7). AI literacy and effective prompting for health, sport, and kinesiology: The guidelines and resources for teaching and coaching. The IOHSK Post, https://www.iohsk.net/iohsk-news/ai-literacy-and-effective-prompting-for-health-sport-and-kinesiology-the-guidelines-and-resources-for-teaching-and-coaching