Define the term "kinetics."

Kinetics specifically refers to the study of forces that cause motion and changes in motion. This field examines how various forces, such as gravity, friction, and applied forces, impact the movement and dynamics of objects, including the human body. Understanding kinetics is crucial in kinesiology as it provides insights into how movements are performed effectively and how forces influence performance, injury prevention, and rehabilitation.

The other options, while related to the broader field of kinesiology, do not encapsulate the definition of kinetics as accurately. The study of body movement relates more to kinematics, which focuses on describing motion without considering the forces involved. The study of energy transfer during exercise deals more with bioenergetics and not specifically with the forces causing motion. Lastly, the study of muscle contractions is part of muscle physiology, which also does not pertain directly to the forces acting in kinetics.