With a newly restructured framework that strongly emphasizes real-world application, Fitness Professional's Handbook, Eighth Edition With HKPropel Access, provides current and aspiring fitness professionals the road map for working with clients. The text translates key concepts into practical application by guiding the reader through screening participants, conducting fitness testing, evaluating the major components of fitness, and prescribing appropriate exercise.
This eighth edition reflects the most up-to-date research, position stands, guidelines, and standards from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), other professional societies, and government agencies. New case studies reflecting a diverse array of clients offer real-world applications, and Research Insight sidebars cover a wide range of applicable scientific topics.
Significant updates, changes, and additions have been made throughout, including these:
- An updated overview of assessment that provides practical understanding of preparatory steps such as obtaining informed consent, taking steps to maximize client safety, and explaining test results in a way that will be meaningful and relevant
- A new chapter on how to combine assessment results with a client's personal goals to create a comprehensive exercise program; readers will learn how to develop the optimal training stimulus and to balance activity level and nutritional requirements to optimize outcomes and safety for clients
- Expanded content on working with clients who are pregnant, covering the benefits of exercise during and after pregnancy; contraindications and signs that warrant stopping exercise; and new content on pelvic floor training
- Updated content on chronic diseases, featuring the latest information on cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and cancer
Additional new information includes two new muscular fitness tests; a section on pharmacology that covers major drug categories and offers insights into how medications can affect heart rate, blood pressure, and physiological responses to exercise; and coverage of neuromotor fitness.
The engaging full-color textbook is further enhanced by 25 related online videos, delivered through HK
Propel, facilitating a deeper understanding of techniques in the book and development of practical skills.
Comprehensive yet practical in nature,
Fitness Professional's Handbook is designed to prepare students for professional certification and empower current fitness professionals to work with various populations to improve health, fitness, and quality of life through appropriate screening, testing, and exercise prescription.
Note: A code for accessing HK
Propel is included with all new print books.
Barbara A. Bushman, PhD, FACSM, earned her bachelor's degree from Grand Valley State University and her doctorate from the University of Toledo. In 1995, she joined the faculty at Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield; the university name changed to Missouri State University in 2005. During her 27 years at Missouri State, she taught a wide variety of courses, both undergraduate and graduate, including anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology, sports conditioning, research methods, and health appraisal and exercise testing. She retired as a full professor in 2022 and is currently a faculty emeritus.
Dr. Bushman is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and holds four ACSM certifications (Personal Trainer, Exercise Physiologist, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, and Program Director) in addition to the Exercise is Medicine credential. She has been very active within ACSM, serving on the Membership Committee; Certification and Registry Committee; Women, Sport and Physical Activity Strategic Health Initiative; and Media Referral Network, among others. Within the Central States Chapter of ACSM she has served as president and secretary-treasurer and has served on several committees.
Dr. Bushman has been involved in numerous book projects, including being the lead author of ACSM's
Action Plan for Menopause; associate editor of
ACSM's Resources for the Personal Trainer, Third Edition; senior editor of
ACSM's Resources for the Personal Trainer, Fourth Edition; and editor of
ACSM's Complete Guide to Fitness & Health, First Edition, and
ACSM's Complete Guide to Fitness & Health, Second Edition. She has been an associate editor of
ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal since 2011 and writes the "Wouldn't You Like to Know" column, which covers a wide range of topics of interest to fitness professionals.
Over her lifetime, Dr. Bushman has maintained a regular exercise program; she enjoys running, cycling, and resistance training. Leisure pursuits include hiking, open-water kayaking, and, more recently, woodworking. She and her husband enjoy walks with their two German shepherds, who have been her faithful office companions during the work on this textbook.
