Neuromechanical Basis of Kinesiology.

The author's stated purpose is to bring together two approaches, the biomechanical and the neurophysiological, in order to further the understanding of human movement. The book has eight chapters grouped into three major sections. Section 1 concentrates on basic mechanics under the heading of "The Force-Motion Relationship." The focus of the second section is neurophysiological aspects of movement, including component parts of the human joint and mechanisms of neurological control of movement. The final section merges biomechanics and neurophysiology in an investigation of muscle control and activation. In the last chapter, which focuses on performance evaluation, the author applies general principles to provide basic guidelines for exercise and training programs based on current research.

The author presents the material from a sports and training background, with a concentration on normal function. The author is concerned with understanding normal human movement and for this reason does not provide the physical therapy practitioner with examples of different pathological conditions. Although the examples the author uses to illustrate basic principles are dominated by sports applications, they also can be readily generalized to a variety of settings and to selected pathologies.

Several characteristics of the text make it especially well suited for teaching. Problems are provided at the end of each chapter to reinforce the concepts. The author's writing style is very readable, and the illustrations enhance the clarity of the text. The glossary is a useful addition in which definitions can be located easily. The references are current and will be useful to those in search of more in-depth discussion of particular topics.

The approach taken by the author is refreshing at a time when an educational emphasis on specialization has compartmentalized the study of human movement. This text is unique in that it combines both biomechanical and neurophysiological explanations for human movement. Despite the merger of approaches, the author meets the high technical standards of each discipline. The clear and simple definitions and integrated approach to movement make the text appropriate for physical therapy students as well as physical therapy practioners in search of an up-to-date introduction to biomechanics and neurophysiology.