Overview
This new text from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) contains information necessary to develop skills for assessing an individual’s health-related physical fitness. It provides the reader with a practical "how-to-do-it" approach for performing these assessment skills effectively, and an understanding of the theory behind and the importance of each skill or assessment. Reported errors associated with each test are also given, and a step-by-step instruction of the skills is provided in order for the reader to gain proficiency through practice. Illustrations and tables supplement the text and enhance learning.
This new text from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) contains information necessary to develop skills for assessing an individual's health-related physical fitness. It provides the reader with a practical "how-to-do-it" approach for performing these assessment skills effectively, and an understanding of the theory behind and the importance of each skill or assessment. Reported errors associated with each test are also given, and a step-by-step instruction of the skills is provided in order for the reader to gain proficiency through practice. Illustrations and tables supplement the text and enhance learning.
Synopsis
This new text from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) contains information necessary to develop skills for assessing an individual’s health-related physical fitness. It provides the reader with a practical "how-to-do-it" approach for performing these assessment skills effectively, and an understanding of the theory behind and the importance of each skill or assessment. Reported errors associated with each test are also given, and a step-by-step instruction of the skills is provided in order for the reader to gain proficiency through practice. Illustrations and tables supplement the text and enhance learning.
Doody Review Services
Reviewer:Brent S.E. Rich, M.D., ATC(University Sports Medicine)
Description:This physical fitness assessment manual is an easy to read, reliable, and well written reference for the bookshelf of any sports medicine provider who discusses fitness with clients, patients, or athletes. The manual presents all of the important elements of fitness in a well outlined, step-by-step fashion.
Purpose:The purpose is to provide readers with the tools and the theories behind elements of physical fitness evaluation and assessment procedures. The book provides an easy to use reference where all of the elements of fitness are explained and presented in a well thought out and concise manner. The book meets the authors' objectives without including superfluous material.
Audience:The book is written for healthcare providers (physicians, nurses, personal trainers, exercise physiologists, and athletic trainers). The authors are credible authorities to write on this subject matter.
Features:The book defines physical fitness and then describes, in detail, the components of what fitness implies. Each of the areas of fitness is explained with both the methods to perform the evaluation and the theory as to why that component of fitness is important or valuable. Additionally, pre-exercise screening is addressed with a discussion regarding who needs to be cleared by a physician prior to starting a fitness program. Case studies help make this book both user friendly and practical. Finally, blank forms are included so community practitioners can use and adapt the principles explained in the manual to their own unique situations. The book explains each principle in an easy to read, easy to understand, yet comprehensive fashion. The illustrations are adequate but not fancy. The drawings are consistent in the book, not flashy or full-color, but well done. The book is lightweight and can be read easily in a few hours.
Assessment:This book provides a quick and comprehensive reference to the components of physical fitness. Other books may explain the principles in more detail, but this one is more practical in its approach. The guiding elements of fitness evaluation are all included, making some other bulkier texts unnecessary or obsolete.
Editorials
Reviewer: Brent S.E. Rich, M.D., ATC(University Sports Medicine)
Description: This physical fitness assessment manual is an easy to read, reliable, and well written reference for the bookshelf of any sports medicine provider who discusses fitness with clients, patients, or athletes. The manual presents all of the important elements of fitness in a well outlined, step-by-step fashion.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide readers with the tools and the theories behind elements of physical fitness evaluation and assessment procedures. The book provides an easy to use reference where all of the elements of fitness are explained and presented in a well thought out and concise manner. The book meets the authors' objectives without including superfluous material.
Audience: "The book is written for healthcare providers (physicians, nurses, personal trainers, exercise physiologists, and athletic trainers). The authors are credible authorities to write on this subject matter. "
Features: The book defines physical fitness and then describes, in detail, the components of what fitness implies. Each of the areas of fitness is explained with both the methods to perform the evaluation and the theory as to why that component of fitness is important or valuable. Additionally, pre-exercise screening is addressed with a discussion regarding who needs to be cleared by a physician prior to starting a fitness program. Case studies help make this book both user friendly and practical. Finally, blank forms are included so community practitioners can use and adapt the principles explained in the manual to their own unique situations. The book explains each principle in an easy to read, easy to understand, yet comprehensive fashion. The illustrations are adequate but not fancy. The drawings are consistent in the book, not flashy or full-color, but well done. The book is lightweight and can be read easily in a few hours.
Assessment: This book provides a quick and comprehensive reference to the components of physical fitness. Other books may explain the principles in more detail, but this one is more practical in its approach. The guiding elements of fitness evaluation are all included, making some other bulkier texts unnecessary or obsolete.
4 Stars! from Doody