Download or read book Educating the Student Body written by Committee on Physical Activity and Physical Education in the School Environment and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2013-11-13 with total page 503 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Physical inactivity is a key determinant of health across the lifespan. A lack of activity increases the risk of heart disease, colon and breast cancer, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, osteoporosis, anxiety and depression and others diseases. Emerging literature has suggested that in terms of mortality, the global population health burden of physical inactivity approaches that of cigarette smoking. The prevalence and substantial disease risk associated with physical inactivity has been described as a pandemic. The prevalence, health impact, and evidence of changeability all have resulted in calls for action to increase physical activity across the lifespan. In response to the need to find ways to make physical activity a health priority for youth, the Institute of Medicine's Committee on Physical Activity and Physical Education in the School Environment was formed. Its purpose was to review the current status of physical activity and physical education in the school environment, including before, during, and after school, and examine the influences of physical activity and physical education on the short and long term physical, cognitive and brain, and psychosocial health and development of children and adolescents. Educating the Student Body makes recommendations about approaches for strengthening and improving programs and policies for physical activity and physical education in the school environment. This report lays out a set of guiding principles to guide its work on these tasks. These included: recognizing the benefits of instilling life-long physical activity habits in children; the value of using systems thinking in improving physical activity and physical education in the school environment; the recognition of current disparities in opportunities and the need to achieve equity in physical activity and physical education; the importance of considering all types of school environments; the need to take into consideration the diversity of students as recommendations are developed. This report will be of interest to local and national policymakers, school officials, teachers, and the education community, researchers, professional organizations, and parents interested in physical activity, physical education, and health for school-aged children and adolescents.

Download or read book Exercise Knowledge and Perceived Barriers in Relationship to the Stages of Behavior Change in the Older Adult Population written by Karen E. Annear and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 136 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Past research suggested a daily accumulation of 30-45 minutes of moderate physical activity was needed to achieve substantial health benefits. Yet, few Americans took part in regular physical activity (USDHHS, 1996; ACSM, 1990). Older adults were even less likely to participate in physical activity than their younger counterparts. Substantial health benefits were found to be similar between older adults and other age groups (AHA, 1995; Stefanick, et al., 1998; USDHHS, 2000). As the population grew older, their obesity increased, they became glucose intolerant (type II diabetes), and had a greater number of risk factors for cardiovascular disease (Petrella, 1999). Unfortunately, by age 75 one in three men and one in two women reported no physical activity (USDHHS, 2000). Studies suggested that an increase in education about the health benefits of exercise, and a decrease in the number of perceived barriers to exercise would increase the number of older adults who participated in exercise programs (Heesch, et al., 2000; O2Neill, & Reid, 1991). James Prochaska constructed a model of behavior change that examined the stages of change a person moves through to intentionally modify their behaviors rochaska, et al., 1992). The purpose of this study was to determine if older adults2 exercise knowledge and perceived barriers differed based on their current stage of change. Further, gender was examined as a possible intervening variable. A questionnaire was distributed among senior centers throughout Cincinnati, Ohio to evaluate stage of change, exercise knowledge, and perceived barriers to exercise in adults over the age of 60 years old. There were 195 questionnaires obtained. Results revealed a significant relationship between exercise knowledge and stage of change (r = .445, p

Download or read book Youth Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior written by Alan L. Smith and published by Human Kinetics. This book was released on 2008-07-24 with total page 516 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As interest in the public health challenge of youth inactivity increases, the ambitious Youth Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior sets a standard for addressing a problem with worldwide implications. Drawing on the contributions of a diverse group of international experts, this reference challenges professionals, researchers, and students to implement new solutions and further their research and work. No other text addresses the causes, contributing factors, and fundamental issues in dealing with youth physical activity with such depth or comprehensive coverage. Using a multidisciplinary approach, Youth Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior breaks away from traditional thinking that places activity and sedentary behavior on a single continuum, which may limit progress in addressing youth inactivity. Instead, the authors encourage readers to focus on how sedentary and physically active behaviors coexist and consider how the two behaviors may have different determinants. In doing so, the text also considers developmental features such as maturation, ethnicity, environment, and genetics across both childhood (through age 12) and adolescence (the teen years). By looking at a variety of psychosocial and epidemiological factors, the authors set the stage for a critical analysis of beliefs and views at a time when many assumptions are taken for granted. This book is organized in three parts that build on one another to deepen readers’ understanding of this complex problem. This text begins by addressing the fundamental issues and assumptions pertaining to youth physical activity and sedentary behavior, covering such topics as measurement of the behavior in question, health outcomes, concepts, and trends in a public health context. Once readers have grasped this foundational knowledge, they advance to part II for a comprehensive account of personal factors likely to be associated with the problem. Part III moves beyond the individual into the wider social and contextual aspects of physically active and sedentary living in young people. Through this concluding part, readers gain the latest thinking on how parents, peers, schools, organized sport, and related factors link to youth physical activity and sedentary behavior. Each chapter presents the latest theory and research, real-world approaches to implementation, and background information to encourage discussion and future directions in national policy making. Youth Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior also contains the following features that add to an unprecedented learning experience: •An at-a-glance look at why and how research can be used in the real world helps researchers relate their work to overall solutions. •Coverage of more issues related to this subject than are available in any other reference makes this a one-stop resource. •Internationally respected foreword writer, editors, and contributors provide a cross-disciplinary perspective valuable for putting solutions into a wider context. •Applications for Professionals boxes and Applications for Researchers boxes at the end of each chapter provide practical suggestions for implementing solutions. Youth Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior: Challenges and Solutions considers current research about youth physical activity and sedentary behavior across a range of personal factors as well as cultural and social influences. The text communicates the knowledge base on developmental, economic, psychological, and social factors related to youth physical activity and sedentary behavior and provides an overview of youth-specific approaches to addressing the problem of inactivity among youth.

Download or read book ACSM s Behavioral Aspects of Physical Activity and Exercise written by American College of Sports Medicine and published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. This book was released on 2013-08-20 with total page 300 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Based on the latest scientific research findings, ACSM’s Behavioral Aspects of Physical Activity and Exercise lays the theoretical foundation of behavior change and then provides specific strategies, tools, and methods to motivate and inspire clients to be active, exercise, and stay healthy. Developed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and written by a team of leading experts in exercise science and motivation, this highly practical book provides step-by-step instructions to help fitness/health professionals and students master motivation techniques that have proven successful in helping clients adhere to an exercise program.

Download or read book Physical Activities for Improving Children s Learning and Behavior written by Billye Ann Cheatum and published by Human Kinetics. This book was released on 2000 with total page 364 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Explains sensory motor development and provides activities and games for use in the classroom and at home.

Download or read book Physical Activity and Behavioral Medicine written by James F. Sallis and published by SAGE Publications. This book was released on 1998-08-13 with total page 242 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What type, amount, and intensity of physical activity is good for your health? How much exercise is too much? Can avoiding physical activity make you ill or lead to premature death? This crisply written and thought-provoking book examines such issues to give readers the first integrated and consolidated introduction to what is known about the impact of physical activity on health. By selectively highlighting some of the best and most important research in physical activity, the authors synthesize studies and theory from several disciplines. They use a behavioral-epidemiology framework to organize the book and explore such topics as: physical activity and the health of children, adolescents, and the elderly; physical activity and its impact on mental health; the role of physical activity in prevention of particular diseases; health risks of physical activity; and how much physical activity is enough and how to measure it; how to promote physical activity and community-based physical activity interventions. Throughout the book, the authors offer studies of diverse populations, including different ethnic backgrounds and nationalities, and different gender groups, and different socioeconomic levels. Although the health benefits of physical activity are fairly well-known, this book furthers our understanding of how to help people become active enough to enjoy these benefits.

Download or read book WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour written by and published by World Health Organization. This book was released on 2020-11-20 with total page 24 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Applied Exercise Psychology written by Selen Razon and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2017-10-25 with total page 664 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Applied Exercise Psychology emphasizes the application of evidence-based knowledge drawn from the fields of exercise psychology, health psychology, clinical and counseling psychology, and exercise physiology for physical activity behavior change. The book provides readers with: theoretical bases for understanding and promoting physical activity behavior; interventions to use for facilitating physical activity behavior change and the tools for measuring the effectiveness of these interventions; cross-cultural considerations for practitioners to ensure multicultural competency; considerations to guide best practices with special populations (e.g., persons with medical conditions and persons with mental health conditions); overall applied implications and future directions. The collection builds a bridge between up-to-date research findings, relevant field experiences, and applied implications. This is the first book to cover such breadth of topics in applied exercise psychology, with chapters bringing often overlooked issues to the attention of practitioners to promote not only evidence-based practice but also responsible ethics and referral.

Download or read book Exercise Psychology written by Janet Buckworth and published by Human Kinetics. This book was released on 2013-02-04 with total page 546 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Exercise Psychology, Second Edition, addresses the psychological and biological consequences of exercise and physical activity and their subsequent effects on mood and mental health. Like the first edition, the text includes the latest scholarship by leading experts in the field of exercise adoption and adherence. This edition also incorporates research on lifestyle physical activity to reflect this growing area of study over recent years. In contrast to other exercise psychology textbooks grounded in social psychology, Exercise Psychology, Second Edition, presents a psychobiolocal approach that examines the inner workings of the body and their effects on behavior. From this unique perspective, readers will learn the biological foundations of exercise psychology within the broader contexts of cognitive, social, and environmental influences. By exploring the biological mechanisms associated with individuals’ behavior, Exercise Psychology, Second Edition, challenges students and researchers to critically examine less-explored methods for positive behavior change. To reflect the continued growth of information in exercise psychology since the first edition was published, the second edition of Exercise Psychology offers the following new features: • Three new chapters on exercise and cognitive function, energy and fatigue, and pain • Thoroughly revised chapters on the correlates of exercise, neuroscience, stress, depression, and sleep • An image bank featuring figures and tables from the text that can be used for course discussion and presentation Authors Buckworth and Dishman, along with newly added authors O'Connor and Tomporowski, bring subject area expertise to the book and provide an in-depth examination of the relationships between exercise and psychological constructs. The findings on both classic and cutting-edge topics are clearly and cohesively presented with the help of relevant quotes, sidebars, suggested readings, and a glossary to guide students through their studies. Exercise Psychology, Second Edition, provides an in-depth examination of the psychological antecedents and consequences of physical activity, helping readers understand the mental health benefits of exercise as well as the factors involved in exercise adoption and adherence. Thoroughly revised and updated, the second edition of Exercise Psychology balances the biological foundations of the brain and behavior with theory and knowledge derived from behavioristic, cognitive, and social approaches.

Download or read book Exercise Knowledge and Behavior written by Joshua Wludyga and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Previous research suggested former athletes exhibit no differences in exercise habits as the general population. However, the extent of knowledge of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) exercise recommendations as an influence of exercise habits is not fully demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to determine the exercise behaviors and level of exercise knowledge or former athletes compared to members of the general population. Additionally, the potential influences a health education course provided in maintaining health and exercise habits once community college athletes terminate their competitive career was examined. A total of 454 participants consisting of former community college athletes of various sports, as well as non-athlete graduates submitted a brief survey that assessed level of knowledge regarding current exercise recommendations, as well as comparing current aerobic exercise habits. Athletes and non-athletes were then separated into groups based on their previous enrollment in a freshmen level health education course. Chi-square analyses were utilized to assess comparisons of accuracy of the ACSM exercise recommendations, while a one-way Aanlysis of Covariance assessed differences in current exercise behaviors. Results indicated no differences in accuracy of the ACSM recommendations regardless of athletes or health education background. Significant differences in exercise frequency were demonstrated between former athletes with health education and non-athletes with no health education. Significant differences in exercise duration were shown between former athletes with no health education background and both non-athletes with health education and no health education. An a posteriori t-test revealed accurate responders had higher exercise volumes than inaccurate responders. In conclusion, the health education course had no apparent long-term impact on exercise behaviors. Athletic background had a statistically significant impact on current exercise habhits more so than educational background. However, future reseearch is warranted to evaluate the impact of other educational opportunities as well as trends in declining exercise habits over time among all groups.

Download or read book The Oxford Handbook of Exercise Psychology written by Edmund O. Acevedo and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2012-04-13 with total page 538 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Awareness of the importance of exercise and physical activity to optimal physical and mental health has never been greater. It is widely acknowledged that physical inactivity is a leading cause of death, yet statistics show less than 50% of Americans participate in regular physical activity. This information highlights the public health challenge of increasing participation in physical activity to enhance physical health and to buoy the psychological benefits associated with physical activity. The Oxford Handbook of Exercise and Psychology is an authoritative and comprehensive presentation of the breadth and depth of empirical contributions utilizing state-of-the-science theories and approaches in exercise psychology. Chapters are authored by leading investigators across the globe who have made significant scientific contributions addressing the behavioral aspects of physical activity. Sections of the book address the effects of physical activity on mental health; knowledge gathered utilizing psychobiological perspectives; behavioral factors that impact exercise motivation; scientific contributions addressing the physical activity benefits with special populations, including individuals with physical disabilities, older adults and cancer patients; and promising areas for additional investigation. Each chapter presents a summary of scientific advancements in the topic area as a foundation for future investigation. Fueled by a broad range of disciplines and interdisciplinary approaches, the field of exercise psychology is growing, and this comprehensive handbook will be the perfect resource for students, researchers, and physicians interested in exercise motivation and the mental health benefits of physical activity.

Download or read book Health Behavior written by Karen Glanz and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2015-07-27 with total page 512 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The essential health behavior text, updated with the latest theories, research, and issues Health Behavior: Theory, Research and Practice provides a thorough introduction to understanding and changing health behavior, core tenets of the public health role. Covering theory, applications, and research, this comprehensive book has become the gold standard of health behavior texts. This new fifth edition has been updated to reflect the most recent changes in the public health field with a focus on health behavior, including coverage of the intersection of health and community, culture, and communication, with detailed explanations of both established and emerging theories. Offering perspective applicable at the individual, interpersonal, group, and community levels, this essential guide provides the most complete coverage of the field to give public health students and practitioners an authoritative reference for both the theoretical and practical aspects of health behavior. A deep understanding of human behaviors is essential for effective public health and health care management. This guide provides the most complete, up-to-date information in the field, to give you a real-world understanding and the background knowledge to apply it successfully. Learn how e-health and social media factor into health communication Explore the link between culture and health, and the importance of community Get up to date on emerging theories of health behavior and their applications Examine the push toward evidence-based interventions, and global applications Written and edited by the leading health and social behavior theorists and researchers, Health Behavior: Theory, Research and Practice provides the information and real-world perspective that builds a solid understanding of how to analyze and improve health behaviors and health.

Download or read book Health Opportunities Through Physical Education written by Charles B. Corbin and published by Human Kinetics. This book was released on 2014-05-28 with total page 817 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This innovative new textbook, with a full suite of related resources, has been created to support student development and enhancement of healthy behaviors that influence their lifestyle choices and fitness, health, and wellness. A key feature of this curriculum is the complete integration of physical education and health concepts and skills to maximize student interest, learning, and application. This objective was accomplished by combining the expertise of our author teams from two related textbooks--Fitness for Life, Sixth Edition, and Health for Life. This is not just a health textbook with a few physical education concepts thrown in. School systems that want a single textbook to help them address both physical education and health education standards will find that this book provides them a unique and cost-effective option. Health Opportunities Through Physical Education is available in print and digital formats, including an iBooks interactive version for iPads plus other e-book formats that students can use across a variety of platforms. Part I, Fitness for Life, will help students become physically literate individuals who have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity. The book will guide students in becoming informed consumers on matters related to lifelong physical activity and fitness, taking responsibility for setting individualized goals, and making their own plans for active living. To accomplish this overarching goal, they learn a variety of self-management skills, including self-assessment. The program is based on established educational theory, which is outlined in the teacher web resources. And they learn all of this through a combination of classroom and physical activity lessons that meet national, state, and local physical activity guidelines and help instill a love for lifetime fitness activities. Part I also enables students to achieve the following goals: · Meet college and career readiness standards by learning and using critical thinking, decision making, and problem-solving skills · Use the Stairway to Lifetime Fitness concept, created by author Chuck Corbin, to encourage higher-order learning (move from dependence to independence) · Perform self-assessments, including all tests in the Fitnessgram battery and the Presidential Youth Fitness Program Part I includes many features that actively engage students by allowing them to: • Assess their own fitness and other health and wellness factors to determine personal needs and assess progress resulting from healthy lifestyle planning. • Use Taking Charge and Self-Management features to learn self-management skills (e.g., goal setting, self-monitoring, self-planning) for adopting healthy lifestyles. • Learn key concepts and principles, higher-order information, and critical thinking skills that provide the basis for sound decision making and personal planning. • Do reading and writing assignments as well as calculations that foster college and career readiness. • Try out activities that are supported by lesson plans offered in the teacher web resources and that can help students be fit and active throughout their lives. • Take part in real-life activities that show how new information is generated by using the scientific method. • Become aware of and use technology to learn new information about fitness, health, and wellness and learn to discern fact from fiction. • Use the web and the unique web icon feature to connect to relevant and expanded content for essential topics in the student web resource. • Find Academic Connections that relate fitness topics to other parts of the curriculum such as science, language arts, and math. • Use other features such as fitness quotes, consumer corner, Fit Facts, and special exercise features (including exercise and self-assessment videos) that promote higher-order learning. • Focus their study time by following cues from Lesson Objectives and Lesson Vocabulary elements in every chapter. • Use the chapter-ending review questions to test their understanding of the concepts and use critical thinking and project assignments to meet educational standards, including college and career readiness standards. Part II, Health for Life, teaches high school students the fundamentals of health and wellness, how to avoid destructive habits, and how to choose to live healthy lives. This text covers all aspects of healthy living throughout the life span, including preventing disease and seeking care; embracing the healthy lifestyles choices of nutrition and stress management; avoiding destructive habits; building relationships; and creating healthy and safe communities. Part II also has an abundance of features that help students connect with content: • Lesson Objectives, Lesson Vocabulary, Comprehension Check, and Chapter Review help students prepare to dive in to the material, understand it, and retain it . • Connect feature spurs students to analyze various influences on their health and wellness. • Consumer Corner aids students in exploring consumer health issues. • Healthy Communication gets students to use and expand their interpersonal communication skills as they share their views about various health topics. • Skills for Healthy Living and Making Healthy Decisions help students learn and practice self-management so they can make wise choices related to their health and wellness. • Planning for Healthy Living assists students in applying what they’ve learned as they set goals and establish plans for behavior change. • Self-Assessment offers students the opportunity to evaluate their health habits and monitor improvement in health behaviors. • Find Academic Connections that relate fitness topics to other parts of the curriculum such as science, language arts, and math. • Take It Home and Advocacy in Action prepare students to advocate for health at home and in their communities. • Health Science and Health Technology focus on the roles of science and technology as they relate to health and where science and technology intersect regarding health issues. • Living Well News challenges students to integrate health literacy, math, and language skills to better understand a current health issue.

Download or read book Measurement and Evaluation in Physical Education and Exercise Science written by Alan C. Lacy and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2018-02-13 with total page 462 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The eighth edition of Measurement and Evaluation in Physical Education and Exercise Science, now published in paperback and hardback, offers students a clear and practical guide to best practice for measurement and evaluation in school- and nonschool-based physical activity programs. Written by two academics with backgrounds in physical education teacher education (PETE), the book emphasizes the link between theory and practice and reflects the most recent changes in national physical education programs. It covers a full range of introductory topics, including current trends in measurement and evaluation, program development, statistics, test selection, and an expanded chapter on alternative assessment, before introducing: • measurement for health-related physical fitness • measurement for psychomotor skills • measurement for cognitive knowledge • measurement for affective behaviors • grading • self-evaluation. Each chapter features learning aids such as objectives, key terms, practical applications, and review questions, while an appendix offers in-depth Excel assignments. Offering a full companion website featuring an instructor’s manual, lecture slides, and a test bank, Measurement and Evaluation in Physical Education and Exercise Science is a complete resource for instructors and students, alike. It is an essential text for students in measurement and evaluation classes as part of a degree program in physical education, exercise science or kinesiology, and a valuable reference for practitioners seeking to inform their professional practice.

Download or read book General Health and Fitness Knowledge and Exercise Behaviors of College Students at Eastern Illinois University written by Cara McQueen and published by . This book was released on 2008 with total page 94 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Introduction to Exercise Science written by Duane V. Knudson and published by Human Kinetics. This book was released on 2023-08-07 with total page 450 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Introduction to Exercise Science With HKPropel Access offers students a comprehensive overview of the field of exercise science and explores the research and evidence-based practice within the subdisciplines that are part of this dynamic and expanding discipline. Taking inspiration from Introduction to Kinesiology, this text focuses on the major subdisciplines within the field of exercise prescription. Introduction to Exercise Science features a full-color layout and a three-section structure to introduce students to the current issues that exercise science professionals seek to understand to promote better health and performance. Part I examines the scope of the field and summarizes the foundational knowledge needed, like basic musculoskeletal anatomy, measurement, and statistics. Part II delves into five major subdisciplines of exercise science: biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor behavior, sport and exercise psychology, and physical activity epidemiology. Part III elaborates on research methods, evidence-based practice, and professional application in various allied-health-related careers such as athletic training, physical therapy, and occupational therapy as well as sport performance careers such as strength and conditioning, nutrition, and sport analytics. Introduction to Exercise Science is designed to stimulate student curiosity about the vast field of exercise science and common career paths. Throughout the text, sidebars featuring the latest research and best practices, professional issues and career opportunities, and trending topics in exercise science are used to engage students and reinforce important knowledge in evidence-based practice. Chapter objectives, summaries, key points, key terms, and review questions aid in knowledge retention. Opening scenarios at the beginning of each chapter feature a specific activity, exercise, or health promotion issue that serves to illustrate the importance of that area of knowledge to exercise science. Related online learning activities include interactive flash cards, review questions, matching exercises, and scenario-based exercises to fully immerse students in the various aspects of exercise science. Students will learn how to read and evaluate research and will develop the ability to think critically to confront specific challenges. Most of the activities can be assigned, and progress tracked, directly through HKPropel. Chapter quizzes, which are automatically graded, may also be assigned to test comprehension of critical concepts. Exercise science professionals require mastery of a complex body of theoretical knowledge about exercise and its application in evidence-based practice. Introduction to Exercise Science will give readers an understanding of how scientific tools and protocols and applied research can contribute to the health and performance of all people. Note: A code for accessing HKPropel is not included with this ebook but may be purchased separately.

Download or read book Physical Activity and Health written by Claude Bouchard and published by Human Kinetics. This book was released on 2012-02-29 with total page 796 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The human body is designed for activity. For most of our history, physical activity was required for survival, but technological advances have eliminated much of the need for hard physical labor. As our activity levels have dropped, it has become clear that a physically inactive lifestyle can lead to a host of health problems. Physical Activity and Health, Second Edition, provides a comprehensive treatment of the research on the benefits of a physically active lifestyle in comparison with the harmful consequences of physical inactivity. Written by leading scientists from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia, Physical Activity and Health, Second Edition, brings together the results of the most important studies on the relationship between physical activity, sedentarism, and various health outcomes. The second edition has been fully updated based on the latest advances in this rapidly changing field and expanded to include the following new content: • A chapter on the physiology of inactivity and the effects of sedentary behavior even in people who engage in appropriate amounts of physical activity, which is an area of growing interest • More extensive coverage of physical activity, aging, and the brain, including a new chapter on the relationship between physical activity and brain structures and functions • A chapter on the development of national and international physical activity and health guidelines, which will help readers better understand how scientific findings are converted into practical recommendations Physical Activity and Health, Second Edition, offers a detailed yet concise presentation of key concepts as well as a framework to help readers relate results from single studies or collections of studies to the overall paradigm linking physical activity and physical fitness to health. For each of the topics covered, the text provides an overview of the most important research findings, discusses the limitations of the current knowledge base, and identifies directions for future investigation. At the core of the text is a review of our current understanding of how physical activity affects health concerns such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity as well as aging and mental health. The text identifies sedentary living habits and poor fitness as major public health problems and examines the potential of physical activity to prevent disease and enhance quality of life. This complete resource also looks at the evolution of the field of physical activity and health; variations in physical activity levels across age, sex, and ethnic groups; the body’s physiological responses to physical activity; dose-response issues; and the influence of genetics on physical activity, fitness, and health. The book ends with an integration of the issues covered and discusses new opportunities for research. The second edition of Physical Activity and Health continues to offer clear, user-friendly coverage of the most important concepts and research in the field. Numerous special features will aid readers in their comprehension of the material. Chapter outlines and callout boxes help readers key in on important topics and focus their reading, and chapter summaries, definitions of key terms, and study questions provide tools for review and self-testing. Commonly used acronyms and abbreviations are found on the interior covers for handy reference. Where other books have simply promoted physical activity for the individual or a population, Physical Activity and Health, Second Edition, completely integrates current knowledge of the relationship between physical activity and health. With contributions from some of the finest scientists in the field, this comprehensive text offers information unmatched in accuracy and reliability.