Publisher Description

Move at your own pace with this kinesiology course guide A required course for majors pursuing sports medicine, exercise science, nursing, or sports therapy degrees, kinesiology is central to a variety of fields. Kinesiology For Dummies tracks an introductory course in the science and imparts the basics of human body movement. With this resource, you will learn how physical activity can alleviate chronic illnesses and disabilities, what factors contribute to musculoskeletal injury, and how to reverse those influences. Complete with a 16-page color insert of medical instructions, this book covers the basics of exercise physiology, exercise and health psychology, introductory biomechanics, motor control, history and philosophy of sport and exercise, and mind-body connections. Written by experts in exercise scienceAddresses a timely subject as exercise science careers and majors are increasingly popularRuns parallel to a kinesiology course with accessible, concise language Interested learners, kinesiology students, and health or sports therapy professionals will benefit from this refresher course in the basics.

Back Cover

Learn to: Figure out how the body moves Understand the connections between the mind and the body Understand the science behind exercise and movement Your guide to the body's constant state of movement You use your body every day, but do you really know how it works? Kinesiology For Dummies helps you discover the science of movement, a crucial area of knowledge for professionals and students in healthcare-related fields. Written by experts in exercise science, this hands-on, friendly guide shows you how the connections between the mind and the body are so important to how we do just about everything. Brains and brawn -- find out about motor control, exercise metabolism, the role of the cardiovascular system, and how we adapt to our environment Biomechanics are key -- discover the basics of human movement, how bones and joints come into play, what all those muscles are for, and how to analyze motion The mind-body connection -- gain an understanding of how the mind and body connect to perform physical exercise Get to work -- put your knowledge to use by tweaking your exercise program, acing your next exam, or applying that new knowledge to your career Open the book and find: An introduction to the science of movement How the brain provides motor control How we adapt to our environment The way we move and the reasons behind it Details on the functions of bones and joints How to analyze the way you move How mind-body connections relate to exercise Ten career choices for aspiring kinesiologists

Flap

Learn to: Figure out how the body moves Understand the connections between the mind and the body Understand the science behind exercise and movement Your guide to the body's constant state of movement You use your body every day, but do you really know how it works? Kinesiology For Dummies helps you discover the science of movement, a crucial area of knowledge for professionals and students in healthcare-related fields. Written by experts in exercise science, this hands-on, friendly guide shows you how the connections between the mind and the body are so important to how we do just about everything. Brains and brawn -- find out about motor control, exercise metabolism, the role of the cardiovascular system, and how we adapt to our environment Biomechanics are key -- discover the basics of human movement, how bones and joints come into play, what all those muscles are for, and how to analyze motion The mind-body connection -- gain an understanding of how the mind and body connect to perform physical exercise Get to work -- put your knowledge to use by tweaking your exercise program, acing your next exam, or applying that new knowledge to your career Open the book and find: An introduction to the science of movement How the brain provides motor control How we adapt to our environment The way we move and the reasons behind it Details on the functions of bones and joints How to analyze the way you move How mind-body connections relate to exercise Ten career choices for aspiring kinesiologists

Author Biography

Dr. Steve Glass is a Professor in the Department of Movement Science at Grand Valley State University. Dr. Brian Hatzel is an Associate Professor and Department Chair in Movement Science at Grand Valley State University. Dr. Rick Albrecht is a Professor and Sports Leadership Coordinator in the Department of Movement Science at Grand Valley State University.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1 Part I: Getting Started with Kinesiology 5 Chapter 1: Introducing Kinesiology: The Science of Movement 7 Chapter 2: The History and Philosophy of Sport and Exercise 17 Part II: Exercise Physiology 39 Chapter 3: The Brains behind the Brawn: Motor Control 41 Chapter 4: Keeping the Big Wheel Turning: Exercise Metabolism 57 Chapter 5: The Body's Engine: The Cardiovascular System 83 Chapter 6: Earthlings and the Earth: Adapting to Your Environment 111 Part III: Basic Biomechanics: Why You Move the Way You Do 127 Chapter 7: The Nuts and Bolts of Movement 129 Chapter 8: Bone Composition and Function 155 Chapter 9: These Joints Are A-jumping! 175 Chapter 10: Let's Move, Baby! The Muscles 203 Chapter 11: Motion Analysis: Seeing How You Move 235 Part IV: Mind-Body Connections 257 Chapter 12: Staying Connected: The Bio-Psycho-Social Model 259 Chapter 13: Sticking with It: Motivation and Adherence 275 Chapter 14: Looking Good, Feeling Good: Exercise, Mood, and Mind 291 Chapter 15: Too Much of a Good Thing 313 Part V: The Part of Tens 335 Chapter 16: Ten Foundations of Fitness 337 Chapter 17: Ten Facts about Obesity and Physical Inactivity 343 Chapter 18: Ten Careers for Kinesiologists 349 Index 353

Long Description

Learn to: Figure out how the body moves Understand the connections between the mind and the body Understand the science behind exercise and movement Your guide to the body s constant state of movement You use your body every day, but do you really know how it works? Kinesiology For Dummies helps you discover the science of movement, a crucial area of knowledge for professionals and students in healthcare-related fields. Written by experts in exercise science, this hands-on, friendly guide shows you how the connections between the mind and the body are so important to how we do just about everything. Brains and brawn find out about motor control, exercise metabolism, the role of the cardiovascular system, and how we adapt to our environment Biomechanics are key discover the basics of human movement, how bones and joints come into play, what all those muscles are for, and how to analyze motion The mind-body connection gain an understanding of how the mind and body connect to perform physical exercise Get to work put your knowledge to use by tweaking your exercise program, acing your next exam, or applying that new knowledge to your career Open the book and find: An introduction to the science of movement How the brain provides motor control How we adapt to our environment The way we move and the reasons behind it Details on the functions of bones and joints How to analyze the way you move How mind-body connections relate to exercise Ten career choices for aspiring kinesiologists

Details