"Physical Dimensions of Aging" II edition, was kindly provided for review by Human Kinetics and is available for purchase at www.humankinetics.com, along with other industry related material.
This textbook presents a comprehensive compilation of research from more than 100 different scientific journals that examine the physical aspects of aging. Its goal is to advance our understanding of the aging process and its effects on other dimensions of life.
Aimed at upper-level undergraduate and graduate level courses, Physical Dimensions of Aging is a wonderful resource/reference for scientists and clinicians who are interested in physical exercise studies. It would also be of interest to health care professionals and gerontologists looking for applications in the real world of aging.
There are five parts and 12 chapters in this second edition. Some useful features include:
- Sidebars of capsule research studies
- Testimonials, vignettes, and other tidbits that tie the research information to the real world
- Short lists of recommended reading for those who want to pursue the topic in more detail
- A glossary at the end of the book
In addition to presenting the latest in research throughout the textbook, it also offers a unique approach to the study of individual differences in Chapter 2.
An illustrative case is the amazing story of Constance Douglas Reeves, whose photograph appears on the cover. Called “a portrait of successful aging,” this tough and energetic centenarian wore cowboy shirts and pants, as well as her special Cowboy Hall of Fame blue boots, right up until she tumbled from her horse at 101 and wound up in the hospital. There she contracted pneumonia and died. She was blessed with good genes, but the more than half century of riding, working a ranch in Texas, staying active and teaching young people how to ride played a role in maintaining her mobility and sharp thinking.
Other chapters that reflect a unique perspective on aging include Chapter 8, which explores motor coordination skills, a subject of keen interest to older drivers and golfers, and Chapter 12, which provides an inspiring account of older elite athletes and how they keep on performing into later life.
This textbook on the physical aspects of aging is a welcome addition to the field of gerontology as it updates students, scientists, clinicians and health professionals in a research area that is rapidly expanding.
