Physical Activity for Health and Fitness - Updated Edition

by Jackson, Allen

• ISBN13: 9780736052054
• ISBN10: 0736052054
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-11-10
• Publisher: Human Kinetics

Summary

Through this book, you can -gain student interest and convince them of the importance of this life-changing information, -encourage students to examine how the information may apply to them in the real world, and -show students how to use the information to their benefit.Preparing for the future is what school is all about. Unfortunately, many students fail to see the importance of establishing healthy lifestyle habits during these crucial years. While they work hard to ensure their future financial health, many young people mistakenly believe they can wait until they're older to worry about their physical and mental health.This updated edition of Physical Activity for Health and Fitness will help students make physical activity a priority today and continue to do so throughout their lives. With the help of many interactive elements, this attractive, full-color textbook introduces important physical activity, health, and nutrition concepts that students will want to remember their entire lives, not just for a semester. Special elements include the following: -HealthchecksQuick questions that test students'learning comprehension -Key points and key termsInformation of special importance -LaboratoriesPractical exercises that ask students to apply physical activity ideas in the book to their own lives Physical Activity for Health and Fitness begins by presenting students with medical evidence showing that a lifetime of physical activity will improve their fitness and enhance their quality of life. They'll learn the importance of both cardiovascular and muscular fitness and discover how to develop healthy habits in these areas.Next, the book explains the far-reaching effects of obesity on personal health. It includes updated information and references on good nutrition, and it provides students with guidelines for maintaining a healthy body weight.Physical Activity for Health and Fitness also explores the close connection between sedentary living and several major diseases and conditions. Cancer, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and depression are just a few of the conditions covered. Students will learn about the causes of these diseases, ways to prevent or lessen their risks, and how physical activity affects the diseases.Finally, students are asked to consider the overwhelming benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle and are encouraged to begin incorporating regular physical activity into their lives now rather than later. They'll find basic guidelines for getting started and advice on staying motivated.This new edition includes new art and references, updated figures and statistics, and practical charts and worksheets to enhance students'learning experience.

Table of Contents

Preface	vi
Acknowledgments	vii
Credits	viii
Part I Physical Activity and Fitness	1	(90)
Chapter 1 The Physical Activity, Health, and Fitness Connection	3	(14)
How much of health and fitness is related to heredity, and how much is directly affected by lifestyle choices?
To what extent does being physically active affect how healthy you are and how you feel and look?
Does physical activity make a substantial difference or just a minor difference?
Chapter 2 Cardiorespiratory Fitness	17	(28)
How much physical activity does it really take to notice cardiorespiratory fitness gains?
How does aerobic activity affect fitness and oxygen consumption?
What are the principles and components that go into designing an aerobic exercise program?
What are the effects of exercise in different environments, such as heat, cold, and altitude?
Chapter 3 Muscular Fitness	45	(46)
Are the benefits of becoming stronger simply superficial, or are there additional fitness and health benefits?
If you're not an athlete who needs to be more flexible to perform better, are there any reasons to work at increasing your ranges of motion?
Do stretching exercises really help prevent injuries and enhance performance?
Are there actual health benefits to becoming more flexible?
Part II Physical Activity and Weight Control	91	(80)
Chapter 4 Obesity	93	(22)
Are the standard height and weight charts an accurate guide to determining obesity?
What does being obese or overweight mean?
How does weight affect health?
How can you determine what your own healthy weight is?
Chapter 5 Nutrition	115	(42)
Just what does constitute a balanced diet?
Is it possible to eat well on campus?
Why do so many people gain weight in their first few years in college?
Chapter 6 Weight Control	157	(14)
Does any weight-loss diet work?
What are the factors that affect weight control?
What is "caloric balance," and what factors affect it?
What are sound weight management guidelines?
Part III Physical Activity and Health	171	(128)
Chapter 7 Cardiovascular Disease	173	(620)
What are the causes and risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD)?
What are ways to prevent CVD?
How does physical activity affect CVD?
Chapter 8 Musculoskeletal Health	793
Can physical activity really help prevent osteoporosis?
What is the effect of physical activity on musculoskeletal health?
How does aging affect bones?
What are the causes of common soft tissue injuries, and how can I handle them if I incur one?
Chapter 9 Cancer and Diabetes	227	(24)
What are the causes and risk factors of cancer?
Is there any danger in waiting until a lump goes away?
What can you do to lessen your risk of cancer?
How does physical activity affect cancer and diabetes?
Chapter 10 Pregnancy	251	(20)
How long and hard can you exercise while maintaining a healthy pregnancy?
What activities are unsafe?
For activities that are safe, what are the limits on those activities?
Are there special benefits to exercising during pregnancy?
Chapter 11 Mental Health	271	(28)
Can physical activity alleviate the effects of depression?
How might being physically active affect depression?
Is depression a "state of mind"-or does it have a physiological or neurological basis?
Part IV Lifetime Physical Activity, Health, and Fitness	299	(54)
Chapter 12 Healthy Aging	301	(18)
Should you gradually cut back on your physical activity as you grow older?
Can exercise improve your quality of life in later years?
Just what are the effects of exercise on aging?
Chapter 13 Leading a Physically Active Life	319	(34)
Why is it so hard to adopt and maintain a physically active lifestyle?
What are the barriers that keep many people from being physically active?
How can people change their behaviors to become more active?
Glossary	353	(4)
References	357	(4)
Index	361	(6)
About the Authors	367