Exercise Physiology: Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance [with Connect Access Code]

by Scott K. Powers, Edward T. Howley

Written especially for exercise science and physical education students, this text provides a solid foundation in theory illuminated by application and performance models to increase understanding and to help students apply what they've learned in the classroom and beyond.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Fitness, Textbooks, Sports

Unbound

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Jackson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Suitable for a high school class with simple writing and generally correct information but should not be used as a reference aimed at providing in-depth knowledge on exercise physiology.

I was particularly disappointed with chapter 21 (7th ed), "Training for Performance". For example, one of their chapter objectives was to discuss the use of static and ballistic stretching to improve flexibility. After reading the section—which is less than 2 pages—the reader is not any more empowered to understand the complications of a flexibility program.

There is no diagram/mention of the muscle spindles, a key physiological underpinning.
There are no visual example of stretches.
They haphazardly mention the tradeoffs between flexilibility and stability for shoulder integrity during contact sports. (How do you judge how to make the tradeoffs is a question that the reader asks but the text offers no evaluative framework.)

Reviews have mentioned its value in text organization and visual display of information. I think it misses that. Overall, this is a really basic text that lacks the rigor for impressive theoretical knowledge. And it misses the usefulness of application to practitioners looking to change athlete physiology. I am disappointed with my purchase.

[Sian Bradshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who has spent the last year loosing a lot of weight and engaging a personal trainer, but also someone who is quite academic, I thought it would be interesting to look at the type of text book my personal trainer may have used/the type of degree level materials that would be relevant. This book is about ten years old so I am aware that there may be more up to date versions, but I paid a few pounds for this one rather than over a hundred for a brand new most recent edition which those poor students must do.

The book is well laid out and does show differing opinions. It goes into a lot of biological detail which I understood (but does anyone ever need the entire Krebs cycle in that level of detail?) and I didn't agree with one or two things but all in all it was comprehensive, interesting and didn't waffle. I may well update to a more recent version when the prices aren't silly.

[Macey (Austin) Castro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super interesting, yet extremely challenging to understand...especially bioenergetics

[Msana]

want read it

[Mallory Briggs · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate this book.

[annika!]

i survived summer exercise phys 🙏🏻😭

[Sebastien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introductory text on exercise physiology in general, exercise testing, and additional material. Sometimes the information lacks detail, and is more a collection of "facts," but that may be best as an introductory text. Nonetheless, it is still well-referenced with additional suggested readings on certain interesting materials.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still use this book for questions that my participants ask me. This is one of the best reference materials that a person can have in the fitness world. For sure!

[Nikki Holzbauer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't believe this book was in here! I had to read this bugger for my class. It was good for a class book anyway! :)

[Uzairahmad]

i need this book,i have to read this book, i m medical student,,,