Physiotherapy June 2000/vol 86/no 6

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Book reviews

Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford1999 (ISBN 0 7506 3288 7). 232 pages

by John Buckley, Jane Holmes and Gareth Mapp £16.99This book focuses on the concept of physical activity and health,and is aimed at health professionals and exercise therapistsinvolved in the practical application of exercise/physical activityprogrammes to achieve health gains. Two of the authors have asports science/physiology background and the third has aphysiotherapy background, creating a good balance between thescientific concepts and their practical application.

The book is written in clear, easy-to-read and accessiblelanguage, and avoids excessive use of jargon. The organisation ofthe book is logical, with the first six chapters providing acomprehensive background on the health benefits (bothphysical and psychological) of exercise/physical activity, and thetheoretical basis underpinning the physiological responses. Thefinal six chapters focus on specific considerations in theprescription of physical activity. Each chapter begins with a boxof ‘key concepts’ to be explored in the chapter, together with astatement on its aims.

The first three chapters cover the general benefits to bederived from participation in physical activity, and explore the concepts of physical activity, exercise, health benefits and training responses. A considerable amount of material iscovered, and consequently some is not dealt with in great depth.However, the material is comprehensively referenced for thosewho wish to consider these issues in greater detail. The chapteron psychological aspects of physical activity and exercise providesmuch useful information on a number of models of change(such as the Health Belief Model and the Transtheoretical Modelof Behavioural Change) which may help health/exerciseprofessionals in understanding the barriers to participationin physical activity, and suggesting possible strategies foreliminating/reducing the barriers.

The next three chapters cover the scientific basis of aerobicexercise, the importance of appreciating relative levels of fitness,and some useful information on measurement tools, givingpragmatic advice on the relative value of different tools inspecific situations.

The authors next provide three chapters giving very specificinformation on designing structured exercise regimens based onheart rate and ratings of perceived exertion, thus allowing theprogramme to be specifically designed to meet patient/clientneeds. Of necessity, these chapters contain several figures andtables, and this is probably the issue on which the book might becriticised. Several of the tables have large amounts of numericaldata, and the general layout and lack of visual impact do not

contribute to interpretation. Similarly, the monochromatic styleof the book (while probably keeping the price down!) sometimesmakes interpretation of figures and graphs difficult.

Kinesiological issues are explored in the next chapter, in whichthe authors explain how different activities may influence themusculoskeletal system. They highlight common faults in certainactivities, and in the use of different types of commonly usedexercise equipment, and suggest ways in which activities may bemodified to take into consideration limiting factors due to theintrinsic morphological and demographic characteristics of theindividual, or due to disease or injury.

This theme is continued in the penultimate chapter, wherespecific considerations for physical activity and exercise forpatients with high blood pressure and heart disease arepresented. The final chapter emphasises the importance of theconsultation process which involves the patient/client indecision making when designing exercise/physical activityappropriate to the needs and lifestyle of the individual.

This is a logically organised and clearly presented book, which would be extremely useful for physiotherapists who areinvolved in rehabilitation programmes, and also for thosephysiotherapists who wish to take the opportunity to adviseindividual patients to increase their physical activity, and adopt a more active lifestyle.

Kate Kerr PhD MCSP PGDipHE BA CertEd

Exercise on PrescriptionCardiovascular activity for health

STUART IAIN RICHARD

How an instructor can influence future behaviour byindiscriminate praise: Stuart appreciates approval and will try toearn it again: Iain is embarrassed about being singled out fromthe group and will not try so hard in future; Richard considerspraise patronising and is also unlikely to repeat his efforts