Physical Activity

Physical activity and its relationship to health is one of the great issues of our age. The causes of, and solutions to, physical inactivity are complex and multi-dimensional, and therefore the subject needs to be studied and understood from a variety of perspectives. This is the first textbook to provide a truly multi-disciplinary introduction to physical activity studies. Offering a complete foundation to the subject, it covers the basics of every core discipline from biochemistry, public health and biomechanics to physiology, sport psychology and sociology. It introduces a full range of topics across the physical activity curriculum, including behaviour change, motor skill development, nutrition, exercise prescription, public health policy, and physical education, providing a well-balanced and international perspective on each important issue. There is also a strong emphasis throughout the book on the practical, applied dimensions of physical activity, including innovative approaches to promotion and intervention tailored to every age range and environment. Physical Activity: A Multi-disciplinary Introduction is an indispensable companion to any course or degree programme with an emphasis on physical activity and health. A variety of exclusive eResources to aid teaching and learning are also available via the Routledge website.

Nick Draper is Professor of Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. His teaching is in the area of exercise physiology and he is Programme Director for the Master of Sport Science programme. His research interests focus on psychophysiology in relation to rock climbing, rugby performance and physical activity. He is Chair of SESNZ, the national organisation for Sport and Exercise Science in New Zealand, and a founder member of the International Rock Climbing Research Association. Gareth Stratton is Head of the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences and Director of the Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre at Swansea University, UK. He is also Adjunct Professor at the University of Western Australia. Professor Stratton began his career as a physical education teacher. This led him to his main areas of academic interest: children, maturation and physical activity, and physical activity, fitness and health. He has been involved in physical activity measurement studies for nearly 30 years and he continues his interest in the development of novel sensor technologies to detect and stimulate changes in physical activity and sedentary behaviour.

Part I: Foundations in physical activity 1. Physical activity: a multi-disciplinary introduction 2. Foundations in the science of physical activity 3. Historical aspects of physical activity 4. Physical inactivity and ill health 5. Physical activity and health 6. Measuring physical activity behaviours and outcomes in children and adults 7. Physical activity prescription Part II: Sport science disciplines and physical activity 8. Growth and development and physical activity 9. Motor skill development and physical activity 10. Exercise physiology and physical activity 11. Paediatric physical activity and aerobic fitness 12. Nutrition and physical activity 13. Biochemistry and physical activity 14. Psychology and physical activity 15. Neurophysiology and physical activity 16. Biomechanics and physical activity 17. Sociology and physical activity Part III Applied physical activity 18. Physical activity in natural environments 19. Urban physical activity 20. School Gym and physical activity 21. Physical activity promotion strategies 22. School physical education and physical activity 23. Physical activity and older adults 24. Public health policy and physical activity 25. Improving policy to promote physical activity: getting to grips with health inequalities 26. International perspectives on physical activity Notes on contributors