Physical Activity and Health

Physical activity and exercise affect many dimensions of health. This book presents an up-to-date and wide ranging account of the key issues of the biology of physical activity and health. The context is set by considering the comparative and temporal aspects of activity in humans. There follows an examination of the concepts and methodological issues associated with activity, exercise, health and fitness, as well as their interrelationships. The book ends with an overview of current and future leisure life styles. This topical volume will be of interest to human biologists, biological anthropologists, human physiologists, sports scientists, psychologists, and healthcare professionals. List of contributors; Acknowledgements; 1. Introduction N. G. NORGAN; 2. Comparative aspects of human activity R. McNEIL ALEXANDER; 3. Physical activity levels - past and present J. V. G. A. DURNIN; 4. The validity of health measurements J. R. KEMM; 5. Developments in the assessment of physical activity PETER S. W. DAVIES; 6. Two national surveys of activity, fitness and health: the Allied Dunbar Fitness Survey and the Welsh Heart Health survey C. B. COOKE et al; 7. Physical development and childhood activity HAN G. C. KEMPER; 8. Physical activity and behavioural development during childhood and youth ROBERT M. MALINA; 9. Physiological aspects of activity and ageing E. J. BASSEY; 10. Activity and morale in later life: preliminary analysis from the Nottingham Longitudinal Study of Activity and Ageing KATE BENNETT and KEVIN MORGAN; 11. The benefits of low intensity exercise ADRIANNE HARDMAN; 12. Physical activity, obesity and weight maintenance WIM H. M. SARIS; 13. Adherence to physical activity and exercise STUART BIDDLE; 14. Women's working behaviour and maternal-child health in rural Nepal CATHERINE PANTER-BRICK; 15. Physical activity and psychological well- being ANDREW STEPTOE; 16. Leisure lifestyles: present and future SUE GLYPTIS; Index.