Summary

Physiological Assessment of Human Fitness, Second Edition , contains detailed descriptions of a range of accepted fitness assessment methods. This resource focuses on the general population, not just elite athletes.

Following in the footsteps of the highly successful first edition, Physiological Assessment of Human Fitness, Second Edition , summarizes the current scientific methods for assessment in areas such as:

-aerobic and anaerobic power;

-capacity for sustained exercise using blood lactate, respiratory markers, and heart rate markers;

-pulmonary gas exchange;

-mechanical power and strength;

-body composition;

-joint range of motion; and

-field testing of athletes.

The authors, highly respected exercise physiologists, have made significant changes in each chapter to provide up-to-date coverage of the topics and to offer complete descriptions of the techniques, procedures, and norms for accurate and effective fitness testing. In addition, the authors have included new chapters on the use of near-infrared spectrophotometry and the potential for heart rate variability in assessment. As a result, readers learn how to measure and interpret physiological changes resulting from different types of training programs for sport and for health improvement.

Physiological Assessment of Human Fitness, Second Edition , provides practical, detailed descriptions of a range of accepted laboratory and field methods for assessing human fitness. It is an invaluable reference for professionals and students involved in human fitness assessment, including exercise physiology practitioners, graduate students in exercise physiology, exercise science researchers, sports medicine practitioners, and human fitness evaluators.

Choice Review

Fitness is a broad concept that is often defined in terms of health and/or the athletic competition context. Maud and Foster's objective is to provide comprehensive coverage of methods used for evaluation of fitness from both of these perspectives. The editors, both exercise physiologists, have brought together a group of very experienced health and sport scientists as chapter authors. They are generally well known experts in the field, and many serve on important editorial boards or have written extensively in the field. The chapters cover all the key areas of fitness evaluation, and each provides an appropriate overview as well as evaluation application methodology on relevant issues. The evaluation methods are current and are discussed in a readable format. Each chapter contains an extensive and useful reference list. A valuable guide for all interested in assessing health and fitness parameters. All levels. R. L. Jones; Pennsylvania State University, Hershey Medical Center