Introduction to Exercise Physiology

This book is disorganized and imprecise. Definitions of single terms are scattered throughout different sections of a chapter or chapters. Sometimes different definitions of a term are given in different places in the book, or new terms that are not introduced anywhere in the book are used in the second definition. Or half of an explanation is given in one paragraph, and then after another unrelated paragraph the author continues what he was explaining 2 paragraphs ago. Or he starts explaining a subject in one chapter, stops halfway into it and picks it up again later in the book, for no apparent didactic purpose. This is the worst text book I have ever come across!

I am really enjoying this book, however, I ran into a major problem with the Bookbyte representative. In the Preface it speaks of The Instructor's Media CD etc. that can be purchased. Well after being shuffled from one person to another I finally get one who ask's "What institution are you a professor at?" I explained, that I'm a retired FDNY Paramedic and would like the resources as advertised for my own edification. "Sorry, not a professor at an institution, you can not buy it." What sort of crap is that? Thus, I'm impressed with the book, but by no means Bookbyte!

Fair Book

Like all textbook it has problems. It can be very dry in parts. It has lots of text and too few pictures. I wish textbooks were more applied and engaging. I do like that the key terms are broken out in the margin. Having said that, this text is not for the beginner. It is the only text I've ever seen that combines Physiology, Kinesiology, and biomechanics, as well as issues of research methods, and professionalism. Interesting that is it so broad.