Fitness Professional's Handbook - 5th Edition

Fitness Professional's Handbook, Fifth Edition, is back with a new title, an expanded scope, and thoroughly updated material. With three new chapters, numerous ancillaries, and material that reflect the current American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines, this text will allow both students and professionals to stay abreast of the latest research and information in the field.

Formerly titled Health Fitness Instructor's Handbook, this full-color text has undergone a title change to better reflect its extensive use in the field. Reflective of updates made in the seventh edition of ACSM's Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, it serves as an essential text for those seeking ACSM health/fitness instructor certification and an invaluable reference for certified fitness professionals striving to stay informed amid ongoing research advances.

Every chapter has been updated based on the latest standards, guidelines, and research, allowing readers to explore the newest theories, research findings, and current issues in the field. The following are among the most significant changes to the text:

-A completely rewritten chapter on health appraisal that focuses on the sequence of steps to follow in screening participants

-Updates based on the most recent dietary guidelines and current standards for nutritional intake

-A thorough discussion of how to develop effective exercise prescriptions for strength and endurance in a very small space

-A new chapter that focuses on yoga, Pilates, and other mind–body exercises

-Additional insight from an expert providing real-life experiences in both fitness- and hospital-based programs and details regarding budget development
Through this text, students with little or no background in fitness testing and prescription will learn to screen participants, carry out standardized fitness tests to evaluate major components of fitness, and write appropriate fitness prescriptions. They will also learn how to apply this information to special populations, including children, older adults, women, or those with chronic disease (e.g., hypertension) or a specific condition (e.g., pregnancy). To aid readers with comprehension, the text retains the best features of previous editions, such as reproducible forms, useful key points, interesting sidebars, case study questions and answers, key terms and glossary, and extensive references throughout the book.

The text features an array of ancillaries, making it easy for instructors to develop and effectively teach their course. All materials are offered through a convenient product-specific Web site and include a new instructor guide, a revised test bank, and a PowerPoint presentation package that includes art, photos, and tables pulled from the text. In addition, the text's attention to detail regarding the most common fitness tests allows it to be seamlessly integrated into lab experiences associated with fitness assessment.

Fitness Professional's Handbook, Fifth Edition, provides readers with comprehensive information on the fundamentals of fitness, exercise physiology, and biomechanics. Updates on assessing muscular fitness, applying guidelines for strength and muscular endurance training for diverse populations, preventing low back pain, and interpreting nutritional guidelines will allow readers to better understand the role of physical activity in the quality of life and how to follow practical guidelines for screening, testing, supervising, and modifying activity for various populations. As such, it will be a useful text for students and a valuable reference for practitioners.

Edward T. Howley, PhD, is a professor in the department of exercise, sport, and leisure studies at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Dr. Howley, who teaches an undergraduate course in fitness testing and prescription and undergraduate and graduate courses in exercise physiology, has been teaching and conducting research in the field for the past 35 years. He served as president of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) in 2002-03 and helped develop and deliver ACSM certification programs.

Besides the previous editions of this book, Dr. Howley has authored another book, four book chapters, and 45 research articles dealing with exercise physiology, fitness testing, and prescription. He currently serves as editor in chief of ACSM's Health and Fitness Journal. He is a fellow in the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education and is chair of the Science Board of the President's Council for Physical Fitness and Sports. His research interests include exercise metabolism, obesity, and the effects of training. He has received several outstanding teacher awards. In his leisure time, Dr. Howley enjoys playing golf, biking, and swimming.

B. Don Franks, PhD, is a professor emeritus who has conducted research and taught physical activity, fitness, and health for 40 years. Dr. Franks, who earned his PhD from the University of Illinois under fitness pioneer T.K Cureton, has received several honor and teaching awards and has been active for 40 years in the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD); the American Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education (AAKPE); and the American College of Sports Medicine. He is past president of AAKPE and the AAHPERD Research Consortium. Dr Franks enjoys playing racquetball and golf and skiing.