Fitness and Exercise Sourcebook, 6th Ed.

Regular physical activity provides numerous health benefits, including a reduced risk of diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, some cancers, and heart disease, as well as increased mental well-being, longevity, and life satisfaction. It is estimated that getting enough physical activity could prevent 1 in 10 premature deaths. Yet, despite the many obvious health benefits, only half of the adults in United States get the physical activity they need to help reduce and prevent chronic diseases.

Fitness and Exercise Sourcebook, Sixth Edition provides information about the health benefits of physical activity. It discusses the guidelines for physical activity in people of all ages and diverse fitness levels—including those with disabilities, chronic diseases, and other challenges. It offers suggestions for incorporating fitness into everyday activities. Ways to maintain motivation and set fitness goals are described, and different types of physical activity—including aerobic, strength, balance, and mind-body—are detailed. Information on safety concerns, nutrition and hydration, equipment needs, and wearable technology is included. It also offers a glossary of related terms and a directory of organizations that provide information about physical fitness and exercise.

The book is divided into parts and chapters where parts focus on broad areas of interest and chapters are devoted to single topics within a part.

Part I: The Health Benefits of Physical Activity details the physical and mental benefits of physical activity, including disease prevention, increased mental health, and a healthy weight. It also discusses the genetic correlation and health burden of physical inactivity.

Part II: Guidelines for Lifelong Physical Fitness offers readers specific fitness suggestions, age-appropriate guidelines, and tips for promoting physical activity among children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly.

Part III: Start Moving explores practical suggestions for adding physical activity to everyday life and for beginning an exercise program. It explains how to create a fitness plan, overcome barriers to exercise, find fitness club or workout partners, and track exercise intensity and calorie expenditure. It also provides tips on things to consider when joining a gym or buying exercise equipment for home.

Part IV: Exercise Basics includes facts about specific forms of exercise, from basics—such as aerobic activity to individual activities—such as walking, cross training, biking, running, kickboxing, aquatic exercise, and bicycling. Mind-body exercises, such as yoga, Tai Chi, and Pilates are also discussed.

Part V: Fitness Safety provides suggestions for being safe during physical activity, avoiding common mistakes, choosing safe and comfortable equipment, eating and hydrating properly, and preventing sports injuries. It also discusses the risks of over-training and compulsive exercise and offers tips for exercising safely out of doors.

Part VI: Physical Fitness for People with Health Conditions describes specific steps to physical fitness for people with disabilities, people who are overweight, and people with other health challenges, such as heart disease, bone disorders, breathing difficulties, diabetes, or cancer.

Part VII Health and Wellness Trends discusses recent developments in health and fitness including online training, wellness tourism, and wearable technology.

Part VIII: Additional Help and Information includes a glossary of important terms and a directory of organizations able to provide information on physical fitness and exercise topics.