Essentials of Exericse PhysiologyEssentials of Exericse PhysiologyNeed for the text. With the success of the first three editions of Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition, and Human Performance also came constructive criticism. Many of our colleagues who taught a one semester course believed that the existing text simply contained too much material that could not be covered in a one semester course. In addition to the need for a somewhat more compressed text, many felt there was also a need for a text that was more practical and applied in its approach to exercise physiology. Some instructors told us they wanted a text that clearly outlined the learning objectives and expectations so that it would be clear to the student what he or she should be able to do with the information once it was learned. It also was felt that a text emphasizing only the essentials did not have to follow a research-oriented format to document the material. Rather, a listing of relevant references at the end of each chapter would suffice. Within the context of practicality, there was a need to refocus text material and apply it more to teaching and exercise training situations. The suggestion was made to intersperse brief summaries, interpretations, and applications of the latest research in the interrelated areas of exercise, sports nutrition, weight control, and health. In addition, there was strong sentiment, with which we readily agreed, that a new textbook should be generously illustrated with graphics and photos to emphasize the sports, training, and physical performance focus of the book's contents. When we considered all of the suggestions, we felt strongly that we could design a new textbook that would continue to achieve high educational standards, yet meet the specific needs of certain students and faculty. This was the genesis of Essentials of Exercise Physiology.
Organization. The Essentials text is designed for a two-column format. This enables us to present current and relevant text with graphics, including the supplementary material close to the chapter's main text. We have added an introductory chapter to make it easier for students with limited background in the sciences to integrate the basics of the biology and chemistry of cellular organization and structure, energy transfer and biologic work, acid-base balance, and cellular transport within the study of exercise physiology.
The textbook contains eighteen chapters with six major sections. Although the flow of the sections and the chapters within each section seemed to the authors to progress logically for an essentials-oriented, one semester exercise physiology course, this structure is by no means "cast in stone." Chapters, as well as parts within certain chapters, can stand alone. In this way, students with prerequisite biology or physiology coursework would not be obliged to read the material for which they have been previously adequately prepared. This pertains to the introductory chapter on biology and chemistry basics, as well as portions of those chapters that deal with the physiology of the pulmonary, cardiovascular, and neuromuscular systems.
Section I contains four chapters that deal with energy transfer and physical activity. The presentation moves from a discussion of the basics of energy transfer at rest to the dynamics of energy release during various levels of physical activity up to the maximum. Where possible, comparisons are made between trained and untrained and the influence of age, gender, and specific training on these responses. Discussion also covers various methods for assessing energy expenditure during exercise, as well as the requirements and capacities for energy metabolism in diverse forms of physical activity.
Section II focuses on food energy and the concept of optimal nutrition and its role in exercise physiology, human performance, and good health. Practical recommendations and guidelines are presented for the active man and woman. The area of sports nutrition is explored with emphasis on the importance of fluid balance and dietary carbohydrate to sustain heavy training in both short and long term exercise performance.
In Section III, four chapters explore the physiologic support systems for physical activity. Major emphasis is placed on the structure, function, and exercise and training responses of the pulmonary, cardiovascular, neuromuscular, and endocrine systems.
Section IV considers training for muscular strength and conditioning for anaerobic and aerobic power. Also presented are practical ways to evaluate the functional capacities of these systems.
Section V discusses the impact of environmental factors of heat, cold, and altitude, as well as ergogenic aids such as caffeine, bicarbonate drinks, anabolic steroids, red blood cell reinfusion, and oxygen inhalation on physiology and exercise performance.
Three chapters in Section VI explore the underlying rationale for evaluating body composition among groups of highly trained men and women. Also discussed are the interrelated factors often associated with obesity, and the efficacy of diet and exercise as a treatment for the overfat condition. The final chapter is about exercise, aging, and health, with emphasis on how regular exercise relates to the risks for coronary heart disease.
Pedagogical Features. Overall, each chapter has been streamlined without sacrificing the appropriate detail required for an essentials text. Where possible, we have expanded our presentation to include applications that relate to both males and females, as well as children and older adults. Specific unique features of the text include:
Learning Objectives. Each chapter is prefaced by a list of important student learning objectives specifically related to the material contained in the chapter. This provides the student with specific guideposts as to the important information within the chapter.
Marginal Notes, Data, and Illustrations. There are over 500 marginal notes appearing throughout the chapters. These augment the thrust of the text material with the most up-to-date information, definitions, examples, data, and research findings on particular topics covered in the chapter.
Close-Ups. A "close-up" feature within each chapter focuses on a timely and important exercise, sport, or clinical topic in exercise physiology related to the chapter's contents.
Visual Augmentation. Illustrations and action photographs are liberally used to amplify the material presented within a particular figure or text section. We have tried very hard to integrate the graphic and photographic material to enhance overall readability and clarity of the presentation.
Chapter Summaries. There is a list of summary statements in each chapter. These statements pull together the important concepts and information in the chapter.
Meaningful References. An accessible group of up-to-date, as well as "classic" references, many of which are review articles on a specific topic, appear at the end of each chapter. These references can serve as a starting point for exploring a particular topic area in greater depth.
Relevant Appendices. Appendices are located at the end of the text. These include:
1. The metric system and constants in exercise physiology
2. Metabolic computations in open-circuit spirometry
3. Energy costs tables for physical activities
4. Age- and gender-specific equations to predict percent body fat.
5. Frequently cited journals in exercise physiology
Graphics. The graphics in the textbook were rendered by Bobby Starnes of Electragraphics, Inc., Blountville, Tennessee, simply the best electronic artist we know. To those who have ever tried to master the intricacies of modern computerized drawing tools, or are thinking of trying, we hope you are as fortunate in your search for artistic help as we were when we hooked up with Bobby Starnes. His creative energies gave zing and pep (and lots of color) to our initial renderings and ideas. It takes a special person to work long hours into the night to make sure our deadlines were met. We hope that the quality of the artwork has enhanced the educational relevance of the textbook.
STUDENT STUDY GUIDE AND WORKBOOK
The Student Study Guide and Workbook is a resource companion to the main textbook. Its purpose is to promote "active learning" by involving students in the learning process. There are four main sections to the study guide: Section I facilitates student understanding of text content by focusing on key terms and concepts (student-generated glossary), and on specific questions within each chapter. In order to answer the questions, students must read and understand the major points in the chapter. Also, a unique aspect of this section is the first crossword puzzles in exercise physiology. These puzzles facilitate learning in a fun and entertaining way. This section also includes 10 multiple choice and true/false questions to test the student's comprehension of the text. Section II includes the nutritive values of 2025 common foods, including fast-food items. It also includes a list showing the energy cost of over 240 physical activities. Section III contains practical assessment tests, including Health-Related Physical Fitness, Healthy Life-Style Assessment, Physical Readiness, Determining Desirable Body Weight, and different Flexiblity Tests. Section IV includes solutions to the crossword puzzles and answers to all chapter quizzes.
The Student Study Guide and Workbook can be ordered directly from the publisher or by contacting:
Fitness Technologies Press
1132 Lincoln Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
fax (313)662-8153
E-mail: <vkass@umich.edu>
Cost for the workbook is $22.95 (U.S.).
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