Clinical Kinesiology and Anatomy, ed 4.

Clinical Kinesiology and Anatomy, ed 4 Lippert LS. Philadelphia, PA 19103, FA Davis Co, 2006, paperback, 351 pp, illus, ISBN: 978-0-8036-1243-5, $42.95.

The fourth edition of Clinical Kinesiology and Anatomy continues the tradition of outlining a basic foundation of kinesiology and anatomy for students. However, this edition expands the examples, activities, and exercises originally employed by previous editions to a larger audience, to include students of physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, and massage therapy. It is written in a clear and simple, easy-to-follow format, and contains illustrations that help clarify the content. The text is well organized and divided into 5 major sections: (1) basic information on the skeletal, articular, muscular, and nervous systems and basic biomechanics; (2) upper extremities; (3) trunk and temporomandibular joint; (4) lower extremities; and (5) posture and gait.

The first part of this text focuses on basic information that is fundamental to the remaining chapters. The chapters on the trunk and extremities include joints and their motions, bony landmarks, ligaments and other pertinent structures, muscles, and summaries of muscle actions and muscle innervations. The chapter on posture discusses body alignment in multiple positions: standing, sitting, and supine. However, the section on common postural deviations does not analyze the effects of the deviations on the muscular system. The gait chapter defines the normal parameters and determinants of gait. It includes an analysis of the key events of each segment of the normal gait cycle. The discussion of gait abnormalities covers the muscular weakness or paralysis and the limitations in joint or muscular range of motion that leads to each deviation.

Most chapters include "points to remember" and review questions. The sections on review questions address general anatomy, functional activities, and clinical exercises. However, the text would benefit from more examples of functional activities and clinical exercises within each chapter's content. The same is true for the chapters dealing with common pathologies.

One thing worth noting is the lack of primary references within the text. Only 2 references were noted in the entire text, both of which were secondary resources. There is a bibliography; however, all references are other textbooks related to the content material.

Clinical Kinesiology and Anatomy is a basic introductory text intended for students in physical therapy and the other health fields. Students in any of those fields would find this a helpful text when used in conjunction with the evidence-based literature pertinent to the subject matter. The author indicates several other kinesiology and anatomy textbooks are better suited for readers seeking a more in-depth analysis of the subject matter.

Elaine L Bukowski, PT, DPT

Richard Stockton College of New Jersey 

Pomona, NJ

Bukowski is Professor of Physical Therapy and Associate Director of the Postprofessional DPT Program. Her current research focuses on the use of yoga in the treatment of individuals with knee osteoarthritis.