Health Fitness Instructor's Handbook - 3rd Edition Book (Copyright 1997, 552 pages)
For years the Health Fitness Instructor's Handbook has been the standard by which texts on fitness testing and prescription have been judged. Now with the introduction of this updated and expanded third edition, the book sets an even higher level of excellence. Health Fitness Instructor's Handbook is the most comprehensive and up-to-date book available for health and fitness professionals who want to learn about the latest advances in physical fitness. That's why more than 150 colleges and universities have adopted the book for course use and why it has been used as a text in ACSM Health/Fitness Instructor workshops since 1986. This new edition has been updated according to 1995 ACSM objectives for Health/Fitness Instructor and Exercise Leader certifications and the Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health. Plus, the text provides the latest information on the fundamentals of fitness, exercise physiology, and biomechanics, as well as guidelines for developing safe fitness programs. Respected exercise scientists Howley and Franks have included the following features in this improved third edition: New organization, with a heavier focus on exercise prescription New chapters on metabolic costs of physical activity, weight management, and exercise prescription for special populations List of objectives to open each chapter In-text reviews linked to learning objectives Case studies for every chapter Suggested readings Part I of Health Fitness Instructor's Handbook describes the areas of knowledge and competence needed by a health fitness instructor, the relationship of physical activity to optimal health, and how to evaluate the health status of fitness participants. Part II provides the scientific foundations for understanding the structure and function of the human body, the measurement and evaluation of fitness, and the determination of energy expenditure. Part III discusses the basic elements of nutrition, methods of body composition assessment, and the importance of a healthy body weight, including ways to achieve it. Part IV describes the components of physical fitness and assessment techniques for cardio respiratory fitness, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility and low-back function. Part V presents guidelines and recommendations for exercise programming for each of the fitness components. The section also explains the importance of exercise leadership, including examples for a variety of fitness activities, and provides rec