Developmental Exercise Physiology

Developmental Exercise Physiology Thomas W. Rowland The recent focus on pediatric exercise science and the lack of a comprehensive treatise on developmental physiology suggests that the time is right for the publication of Developmental Exercise Physiology. The initial chapters serve as a brief introduction to and review of the changes in exercise physiology of the growing child. This is followed by a section on exercise testing, which is clearly one of the strengths of the text. Obviously the author has considerable experience with this issue. This well-referenced chapter would benefit anyone who is intends to or is currently working with exercise testing in children. The chapters on cardiovascular and respiratory responses to exercise are well written and referenced; however, the chapters on thermal stress and metabolic and endocrine responses to exercise appear superficial. Additional strengths are the chapters on energy efficiency and economy in children and on the development of muscular strength. Both of these chapters have considerable application for the physical training of children. The author appears to have considerable expertise with maximal aerobic power, a concept that reappears throughout much of the book. However, he does not discuss in depth the meaning of maximal aerobic power in children. This is an important concept since measurement of aerobic power in children may not be as meaningful as it is in adults. Although the book covers a number of important issues, I found the organization somewhat perplexing. The initial chapter on growth and maturation is followed by a chapter on ethical consideration for research; then it goes back to exercise testing and body composition. The second section returns to maturation and aerobic fitness and plasticity of aerobic fitness under the heading Physiological Responses to Exercise. However, despite the organization, the reader will find extensive useful information. Most teacher preparation exercise physiology courses focus on adult physiology and pay little attention to children. Yet, most physical educators are working with children. Therefore, this book would benefit physical education teachers who work with children and could also serve as a basic reference for researchers working with children.