Health Promotion and Exercise for Older Adults: An Instructor's Guide.

Lewis CB, Campanelli LC. Gaithersburg, MD 20878, Aspen Publishers Inc, 1990, paperback, 188 pp, illus, $39.

The authors state that the purpose of this book is to provide a practical health promotion and exercise manual for allied health professionals who instruct older adults. The book is written in module format and is tightly packed with information that can be easily used by both the rehabilitation professional and nonprofessional as a reference in designing exercise classes for the older adult.

The book is divided into three sections. The first section is devoted to such practical information as how to set up exercise classes and how to contract for services with outside agencies.

Section 2 provides information on specific exercise topics. Each chapter describes a class module that begins with a lecture/ discussion and is followed by exercises that are pertinent for the older adult. Camera-ready handouts that can be given to class participants can be found at the end of each chapter. Topics include classes on individual joints as wen as classes for common pathologies found in the older adult.

The third section provides information on exercise classes for participants with special conditions such as those who use a wheelchair, those who have paraplegia or an amputation, those who do not speak English, or those who have some sort of dementia. One chapter covers program evaluation and follow-up. The chapters in this section follow the same concise format used throughout the book, with helpful hints for clinicians, and enhance the book's value as an instructor's guide.

Adding to the book's value as a handy "how-to" manual is the inclusion of various examples of exercise topics, letters to facilities, contracts, consent forms, medical release and history forms, and a form for each participant's physical activity profile. Several chapters are referenced, with sources listed throughout the body of the text. Every exercise module has flyers, participant handouts, and line drawings, all of which complement the text nicely. Positions for exercise are clearly described or portrayed.

I would certainly recommend this book for physical therapy practitioners who are interested in directing health promotion and exercise classes. Even the seasoned clinician who has considerable experience working with the older adult and is just beginning to lead exercise classes would probably glean inspiration from this book to create new ideas for an exercise class.

Janna B Herman, PhD, PT

Childrens Hospital Los Angeles/Chapman University

Los Angeles, Calif