Overview
Exercise Biochemistry brings an admittedly difficult and technical subject to life. Extremely user- and student-friendly, it is written in conversational style by Vassilis Mougios, who poses and then answers questions as if in conversation with a student. Mougios does an excellent job of making the information interesting by using simple language without compromising scientific accuracy and content. He also uses ample analogies, related works of art, and numerous illustrations to drive home his points for readers.
The result is that Exercise Biochemistry is a highly informative and illuminating text on the effects of exercise on molecular-level functioning. It presents the basics of biochemistry as well as in-depth coverage of exercise biochemistry. The book uses key terms, sidebars, and questions and problems posed at the end of each chapter to facilitate learning. It also covers metabolism, endocrinology, and assessment all in one volume, unlike other exercise biochemistry books.
In exploring all of these topics, Exercise Biochemistry makes the case for exercise biochemistry to have a stand-alone textbook. In fact, this book will encourage more universities to introduce exercise biochemistry courses to their curricula. Having the necessary topics of basic biochemistry in a single volume will facilitate the work of both instructors and students.
Exercise Biochemistry will also be useful to graduate students in sport science who have not been formally introduced to exercise biochemistry during their undergraduate programs. Additionally, it can supplement exercise physiology textbooks with its coverage of the molecular basis of physiological processes. This book is also for physical education and sport professionals who have an interest in how the human body functions during and after exercise. And this book is addressed to health scientists who are interested in the transformations in human metabolism brought about by physical activity.
The book is organized in four parts. Part I introduces readers to biochemistry basics, including chapters on metabolism, proteins, nucleic acids and gene expression, and carbohydrates and lipids. Part II consists of two chapters that explore neural control of movement and muscle contraction. The essence of the book is found in part III, which details exercise metabolism in its six chapters. Included are chapters on carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism in exercise; compounds of high phosphoryl transfer potential; effects of exercise on gene expression; and integration of exercise metabolism. In part IV, the author focuses on biochemical assessment of people who exercise, with chapters on iron status, metabolites, and enzymes and hormones. Simple biochemical tests are provided to assess an athlete's health and performance.
Exercise Biochemistry is a highly readable book that serves as a source for understanding how exercise changes bodily functions. The text is useful for both students and practitioners alike.
Synopsis
Exercise Biochemistry brings an admittedly difficult and technical subject to life. Extremely user- and student-friendly, it is written in conversational style by Vassilis Mougios, who poses and then answers questions as if in conversation with a student. Mougios does an excellent job of making the information interesting by using simple language without compromising scientific accuracy and content. He also uses ample analogies, related works of art, and numerous illustrations to drive home his points for readers.
The result is that Exercise Biochemistry is a highly informative and illuminating text on the effects of exercise on molecular-level functioning. It presents the basics of biochemistry as well as in-depth coverage of exercise biochemistry. The book uses key terms, sidebars, and questions and problems posed at the end of each chapter to facilitate learning. It also covers metabolism, endocrinology, and assessment all in one volume, unlike other exercise biochemistry books. In exploring all of these topics, Exercise Biochemistry makes the case for exercise biochemistry to have a stand-alone textbook. In fact, this book will encourage more universities to introduce exercise biochemistry courses to their curricula. Having the necessary topics of basic biochemistry in a single volume will facilitate the work of both instructors and students. Exercise Biochemistry will also be useful to graduate students in sport science who have not been formally introduced to exercise biochemistry during their undergraduate programs. Additionally, it can supplement exercise physiology textbooks with its coverage of the molecular basis of physiological processes. This book is also for physical education and sport professionals who have an interest in how the human body functions during and after exercise. And this book is addressed to health scientists who are interested in the transformations in human metabolism brought about by physical activity. The book is organized in four parts. Part I introduces readers to biochemistry basics, including chapters on metabolism, proteins, nucleic acids and gene expression, and carbohydrates and lipids. Part II consists of two chapters that explore neural control of movement and muscle contraction. The essence of the book is found in part III, which details exercise metabolism in its six chapters. Included are chapters on carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism in exercise; compounds of high phosphoryl transfer potential; effects of exercise on gene expression; and integration of exercise metabolism. In part IV, the author focuses on biochemical assessment of people who exercise, with chapters on iron status, metabolites, and enzymes and hormones. Simple biochemical tests are provided to assess an athlete s health and performance. Exercise Biochemistry is a highly readable book that serves as a source for understanding how exercise changes bodily functions. The text is useful for both students and practitioners alike.Doody Review Services
Reviewer:Eugene A Davidson, PhD(Georgetown University School of Medicine)
Description:This book is intended for students wishing some basic knowledge of metabolic events associated with exercise.
Purpose:The goal is to provide an easy to use text for students with limited chemistry/physiology backgrounds. The objective is superficially worthwhile and, within limits, adequately achieved.
Audience:Second year college students are the intended audience, although earlier classes could also use the book.
Features:An increasing number of college students study various aspects of life science without the intention of becoming physicians, including nursing students, those interested in physical therapy, etc. This book is designed for a course in which the effects of exercise on metabolic activities are studied. The first section is devoted to an introduction to biochemistry for those with a limited chemical background. A short bridge section describes the mechanisms involved in nerve and muscle action, followed by chapters that summarize fuel utilization, control mechanisms, and assessment methods. Each chapter provides a few study questions for guidance and illustrations are plentiful and generally clear. Given the difficulty of explaining necessarily complex material in a somewhat simplified form (e.g., physics for poets); this book can serve as a useful text in its intended area. Many of the discussions are superficial and some may leave incorrect impressions, which is a common problem in efforts of this genre. How serious? Preferable would have been occasional caveats to protect the naive student from assuming a level ofunderstanding that, in reality, does not exist. Nevertheless, undergraduates wishing some understanding of the effects of exercise on metabolic events will learn useful material.
Assessment:I generally do not appreciate the superficial approach represented by this book. Conversely, there is relatively little misinformation (I have seen worse) and as long as the instructor is sufficiently knowledgeable, the book can be used effectively for its intended audience.
Editorials
From The Critics
Reviewer: Eugene A Davidson, PhD(Georgetown University School of Medicine)Description: This book is intended for students wishing some basic knowledge of metabolic events associated with exercise.
Purpose: The goal is to provide an easy to use text for students with limited chemistry/physiology backgrounds. The objective is superficially worthwhile and, within limits, adequately achieved.
Audience: Second year college students are the intended audience, although earlier classes could also use the book.
Features: An increasing number of college students study various aspects of life science without the intention of becoming physicians, including nursing students, those interested in physical therapy, etc. This book is designed for a course in which the effects of exercise on metabolic activities are studied. The first section is devoted to an introduction to biochemistry for those with a limited chemical background. A short bridge section describes the mechanisms involved in nerve and muscle action, followed by chapters that summarize fuel utilization, control mechanisms, and assessment methods. Each chapter provides a few study questions for guidance and illustrations are plentiful and generally clear. Given the difficulty of explaining necessarily complex material in a somewhat simplified form (e.g., physics for poets); this book can serve as a useful text in its intended area. Many of the discussions are superficial and some may leave incorrect impressions, which is a common problem in efforts of this genre. How serious? Preferable would have been occasional caveats to protect the naive student from assuming a level of understanding that, in reality, does not exist. Nevertheless, undergraduates wishing some understanding of the effects of exercise on metabolic events will learn useful material.
Assessment: I generally do not appreciate the superficial approach represented by this book. Conversely, there is relatively little misinformation (I have seen worse) and as long as the instructor is sufficiently knowledgeable, the book can be used effectively for its intended audience.