Clinical Exercise Physiology.

Clinical Exercise Physiology Ehrman J, Gordon P, Visich P, Keteyian S, eds. Champaign, IL, 61825, Human Kinetics, 2003, 618 pp, illus, ISBN: 0-7360-0252-9, $69.

This text would be a valuable asset to the rehabilitation professional who works with people with chronic diseases or disabilities. Clinical Exercise Physiology is a comprehensive text with both scientific and clinical approaches to exercise testing and prescription.

The editors have provided relevant and accurate information for several target groups--clinicians who conduct exercise testing and programming for patients with chronic diseases or disabilities; people preparing to take the Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program, a certification examination for exercise physiologists given by the American College of Sports Medicine; and all health care professionals involved in rehabilitation. This text also would serve as a reference for clinicians.

The book is divided into 8 sections, with 31 chapters addressing some of the more practical issues of clinical exercise physiology. The first 7 chapters provide a solid foundation by reviewing essential areas related to exercise physiology. This section includes chapters on compliance with exercise, legal issues, pharmacology, medical history, examination and exercise testing, and prescriptions. The remaining 24 chapters deal with specific diseases and disabilities.

Although it is not all-inclusive, this text does a very adequate job of providing information on a broad array of diseases that the rehabilitation specialist may encounter. Some of the conditions covered are: diabetes, obesity, end-stage renal disease, myocardial infarction, chronic heart failure, hypertension, pulmonary disease, asthma, cystic fibrosis, cancer, immunodeficiency, pain, and spinal cord injury. There are also chapters that include pediatric, geriatric, and women's health issues. For clinicians working with any of these populations, the information is extremely relevant and helpful.

Each chapter follows the same structured format. Pathophysiology is first, followed by clinical considerations, signs and symptoms, treatment, graded exercise testing, exercise prescription, special considerations, and, last, a case study.

There are helpful charts, diagrams, and pictures throughout the text that aid the learning process. In my opinion, the editors have succeeded in providing an extensive, accurate, and relevant text.

Physical therapists and other rehabilitation specialists may need more guidance when implementing exercise programs with these patient populations; this text provides the necessary direction for safe and successful treatment. The editors are to be congratulated for their important contribution to this area of rehabilitation.

Dan Bankson, PT,

Fairmont Medical Center

Fairmont, Minn

Mr Bankson is Senior Physical Therapist at Fairmont Medical Center.