Here is the ultimate resource for maximizing your exercise and nutrition efforts. In this new edition ofACSM's Complete Guide to Fitness & Health, you have an authoritative reference that allows you to apply research-based guidance to your unique health and fitness needs. With a focus across the life span, this resource shows you how to pursue optimal health and fitness now and throughout the years to come. The American College of Sports Medicine, the largest and most respected sport science and medicine organization in the world, has created this book to bridge the gap between science and the practice of making personal lifestyle choices that promote health. This new edition contains age-specific advice within the framework of the latest research, thus helping you to avoid the lure of fads, unfounded myths, and misinformation.

You will learn these strategies:

• Incorporate the latest guidelines for physical activity and nutrition into your daily routine to improve your fitness and overall health.

• Optimize your weight and increase strength, flexibility, aerobic fitness, and functional fitness.

• Improve health and manage conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, depression, osteoporosis, arthritis, pregnancy, and Alzheimer’s disease through exercise and nutrition.

• Monitor, evaluate, and tailor your exercise program for optimal results.

Featuring step-by-step instructions and full-color photos for the most effective exercises, sample workouts, practical advice, age-specific physical activity and dietary guidelines, and strategies for incorporating exercise and healthy nutrition choices into even the busiest of lifestyles,ACSM’s Complete Guide to Fitness & Healthis a resource that belongs in every fitness enthusiast’s library.

ACSM’s Complete Guide to Fitness & Health, Second Edition, offers the most current exercise and nutrition guidelines along with assessments, exercises, activities, and programs for varying ages, special conditions, and fitness goals. Authoritative and comprehensive, it makes adding, enhancing, or customizing a fitness and health routine safe and effective.

Part I Fit, Active, and Healthy

Chapter 1Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Physical Activity and Nutrition

Barbara A. Bushman

Chapter 2Embracing Physical Activity: A Complete Exercise Program

Barbara A. Bushman

Chapter 3Balancing Nutrition: Recommended Dietary Guidelines

Stella Lucia Volpe and Joseph R. Stanzione

Chapter 4Promoting Healthy Habits: Getting Started and Staying Motivated

Barbara A. Bushman

Part II Exercise and Activity for Building a Better You

Chapter 5Improving Your Aerobic Fitness

Barbara A. Bushman

Chapter 6Enhancing Your Muscular Fitness

Avery D. Faigenbaum

Chapter 7Increasing Your Flexibility

Jan Schroeder and Michelle Kulovitz Alencar

Chapter 8Sharpening Your Functional Fitness

Nicholas H. Evans

Part III Fitness and Health for Every Age

Chapter 9Children and Adolescents: Birth to Age 17

Don W. Morgan

Chapter 10Adults: Ages 18 to 64

Barbara A. Bushman

Chapter 11Older Adults: Ages 65 and Older

Robert S. Mazzeo

Part IV Fitness and Health for Every Body

Chapter 12Cardiovascular Health

Shannon Lennon-Edwards and William B. Farquhar

Chapter 13Diabetes

Sheri R. Colberg

Chapter 14Cancer

Kathryn H. Schmitz

Chapter 15Alzheimer’s Disease

Brad A. Roy and Linda Fredenberg

Chapter 16Osteoporosis and Bone Health

Kara A. Witzke and Kerri M. Winters-Stone

Chapter 17Arthritis and Joint Health

A. Lynn Millar

Chapter 18Weight Management

Laura J. Kruskall

Chapter 19Pregnancy and Postpartum

Lanay M. Mudd and Jean M. Kerver

Chapter 20Depression

Heather Chambliss and Tracy L. Greer