xi
 Contents   
Preface  v
Acknowledgments  vii
Contributors  viii
Reviewers  x
PART I: Overview 1
 1 Understanding Physical Activity and Exercise  2
Defining Physical Activity, Exercise, and Physical Fitness  3
Historic Trends in Physical Activity  7
Ancient Times and the Rise of Exercise Physiology  7
T.K. Cureton and the Physical Fitness Movement  7
Historical Evolution of Physical Activity Epidemiology  8
Development of Physical Activity Guidelines and Recommendations  9
Relationship between Physical Activity/Exercise and Health across the Lifespan  12
Physical Activity and Health in Children and Adolescents  13
Physical Activity and Health in Adults  15
Physical Activity and Health in Older Adults  18
Physical Activity and Health in Women during Pregnancy and during the Postpartum Period  18
Physical Activity and Health in Adults with Chronic Conditions and Adults with Disabilities  18
General Risks Associated with Physical Activity/Exercise  19
Risks of Sudden Cardiac Death  20
The Risk of Cardiac Events during Exercise Testing  20
Musculoskeletal Injury Associated with Exercise  20
 2 Preparticipation Physical Activity Screening Guidelines  29
Importance of Preparticipation Physical Activity Screening  30
History of Preparticipation Physical Activity Screening  31
Levels of Screening  31
Self-Guided Screening  32
? PHYSICAL ACTIVITY READINESS QUESTIONNAIRE FOR EVERYONE  32
? EPARMED-X ?PHYSICIAN CLEARANCE FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONNAIRE  32
Professionally Supervised Screening  37
? INFORMED CONSENT  37
? HEALTH HISTORY QUESTIONNAIRE  39
? MEDICAL EXAMINATION/CLEARANCE  39
? PREPARTICIPATION PHYSICAL ACTIVITY SCREENING PROCESS  39
Physical Activity (or Exercise) History  46
Known Cardiovascular, Metabolic, and/or Renal Disease  46
ACSM Major Signs or Symptoms Suggestive of Cardiovascular Disease  46
When Should You Seek Medical Clearance?  48
American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Risk Stratification  49
Challenges of ACSM Preparticipation Physical Activity Screening  49
Recommendations versus Requirements  50xii
Contraindications to Exercise Testing  51
What Does Contraindication Really Mean?  52
Absolute versus Relative  52
Repurposing Risk Factor Assessment and Management  52
ACSM Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Assessment and Defining Criteria  52
PART II:  Assessments and Exercise Programming for Apparently 
Healthy Participants 59
 3  Cardiorespiratory Fitness Assessments and Exercise Programming for 
Apparently Healthy Participants  60
Basic Anatomy and Physiology of the Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Systems as They Relate to 
Cardiorespiratory Fitness  61
Goal of the Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems  61
Anatomy and Physiology of the Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems  61
Adenosine Triphosphate Production  62
Overview of Cardiorespiratory Responses to Acute Graded Exercise of Conditioned and 
Unconditioned Participants  64
Oxygen Uptake Kinetics during Submaximal Single-Intensity Exercise  64
Oxygen Uptake Kinetics during Graded Intensity Exercise  65
Arteriovenous Oxygen Difference Response to Graded Intensity Exercise  66
Heart Rate, Stroke Volume, and Cardiac Output Responses to Graded Intensity Exercise  66
Pulmonary Ventilation Response to Graded Intensity Exercise  67
Blood Pressure Response to Graded Intensity Exercise  67
Measuring Blood Pressure and Heart Rate before, during, and after Graded Exercise  68
Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Assessment  68
Rate Pressure Product  69
Selecting Appropriate Cardiorespiratory Fitness Assessments for Healthy Populations  70
Cardiorespiratory Fitness Assessments Benefits  70
Types of Cardiorespiratory Fitness Assessments  70
Selecting the Appropriate Cardiorespiratory Fitness Assessment  71
Interpreting Results of Cardiorespiratory Fitness Assessments, Including Determination of 
V ?
O
2
 and V ?
O
2max
  76
Metabolic Calculations as They Relate to Cardiorespiratory Exercise Programming  77
Energy Units and Conversion Factors  77
ACSM Metabolic Formula  82
? EXAMPLES  83
FITT Framework for the Development of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Apparently 
Healthy People  84
Frequency  85
Intensity  85
Time  85
Type  86
Additional Variables  86
Volume  86
Progression  86
? PROGRESSIVE OVERLOAD  86
? REVERSIBILITY  86
? INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES  87
? SPECIFICITY OF TRAINING  87
Safe and Effective Exercises Designed to Enhance Cardiorespiratory Fitness  87
Interval Training  89
Contentsxiii
Determining Exercise Intensity  89
Heart Rate Reserve Method  90
Peak Heart Rate Method  90
Peak V
?
O
2
 Method  90
Peak Metabolic Equivalent Method  91
V
?
O
2
 Reserve Method  91
Talk Test Method  91
Perceived Exertion Method  92
Abnormal Responses to Exercise  92
Contraindications to Cardiovascular Training Exercises  93
Effect of Common Medications on Cardiorespiratory Exercise  93
Signs and Symptoms of Common Musculoskeletal Injuries Associated with 
Cardiorespiratory Exercise  93
Effects of Heat, Cold, or High Altitude on the Physiological Response to Exercise  94
Heat Stress  95
Cold Stress  95
Altitude  95
Acclimatization When Exercising in a Hot, Cold, or High-Altitude Environment  96
 4  Muscular Strength and Muscular Endurance Assessments and Exercise 
Programming for Apparently Healthy Participants  103
Basic Structure and Function  105
Muscle Fiber Types and Recruitment  105
Types of Muscle Action  106
Assessment Protocols  108
Assessing Muscular Strength  109
Assessing Muscular Endurance  110
Fundamental Principles of Resistance Training  111
Principle of Progression  111
Principle of Regularity  112
Principle of Overload  113
Principle of Creativity  113
Principle of Enjoyment  113
Principle of Specificity  114
Principle of Supervision  115
Program Design Considerations  115
Types of Resistance Training  116
? DYNAMIC CONSTANT EXTERNAL RESISTANCE TRAINING  116
? ISOKINETICS  117
? PLYOMETRIC TRAINING  118
Modes of Resistance Training  119
Safety Concerns  121
Resistance Training Program Variables  123
Type of Exercise  124
Order of Exercise  125
Training Intensity  125
Training Volume  126
Rest Intervals between Sets  127
Repetition Velocity  127
Training Frequency  127
Periodization  128
General Recommendations  129
Contentsxiv
 5  Flexibility Assessments and Exercise Programming for Apparently Healthy 
Participants  136
Basic Principles of Flexibility  137
Factors Affecting Flexibility  137
Modes of Flexibility Training  139
Static Flexibility  139
Ballistic Flexibility  140
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation  140
Dynamic Flexibility  142
Muscle and Tendon Proprioceptors  144
Flexibility Assessment Protocols  145
Goniometers and Inclinometers  145
Flexibility Program Design  153
Overall Range of Motion Recommendations  154
 6  Functional Movement Assessments and Exercise Programming for Apparently 
Healthy Participants  175
Sensorimotor Control  176
Motor Learning  176
Proprioception  176
Stability and Mobility  177
Mediators of the Proprioception, Mobility, and Stability  180
Overweight and Obesity and Physical Inactivity  180
Propensity for Inhibition of Stabilizing Muscles  180
Previous Injury and Pain  180
Everyday Posture and Limited Variety of Movement  181
Joint Structure  181
Age  182
What Is Neutral Position and Why Is It so Important?  182
Assessment and Prescription  183
Establishing a Movement Baseline  183
? ASSESSMENT OF STATIC NEUTRAL POSTURE  183
Plumb Line Assessment  183
Wall Test  183
Progressive Approach to Developing Postural Awareness  183
? INTEGRATIVE ASSESSMENTS AND CORRECTIONS  185
Wall Plank-and-Roll  185
Teaching How to Brace  185
Diaphragmatic Breathing Assessment and Corrective Methods  186
Rolling Patterns: Assessment and Correction  187
? ADDRESSING ALIGNMENT ISSUES  191
Instability Training  193
Self-Myofascial Release and Stretching  194
Lifestyle Recommendations  197
 7 Body Composition and Weight Management  200
Anthropometric Measurements  201
Height and Weight  202
Body Mass Index  202
? CIRCUMFERENCE MEASURES  204
Contentsxv
Measuring Body Composition  206
? SKINFOLD MEASUREMENTS  207
? BIOELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE  209
? LABORATORY METHODS FOR MEASURING BODY COMPOSITION  211
Weight Management  213
Energy Balance  213
Preventing Weight Gain  217
Treatment of Obesity  217
FITT Recommendations  217
Training Considerations  218
Weight Loss Goals  219
Metabolic Equations  219
Weight Management Myths  219
? MYTH 1: FAT TURNS INTO MUSCLE  219
? MYTH 2: SPOT REDUCING WORKS  220
?  MYTH 3: GAINING WEIGHT AT THE START OF AN EXERCISE PROGRAM IS FROM 
INCREASED MUSCLE  220
Treatment of Obesity through Nutrition  221
Treatment of Obesity through Other Methods  223
Behavioral Strategies  224
Weight Loss Supplements  224
Dieting  225
Medications  225
PART III: Exercise Programming for Special Populations 231
 8  Exercise for Individuals with Controlled Cardiovascular, Metabolic, Pulmonary, 
and Chronic Kidney Disease  232
Pathophysiology  233
Cardiovascular Disease  233
? CORONARY HEART DISEASE  233
? HYPERTENSION  234
? PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE  235
Metabolic Diseases  235
? DIABETES  236
? DYSLIPIDEMIA  236
? OBESITY  236
? METABOLIC SYNDROME  237
Pulmonary Diseases  237
? CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE  237
? CHRONIC RESTRICTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE  238
Chronic Kidney Disease  238
Role of Exercise Training  238
Cardiovascular Diseases  238
Metabolic Diseases  240
Pulmonary Diseases  240
Chronic Kidney Disease  240
The Art and Science of Exercise Prescription and Programming in Controlled Disease Populations  241
Special FITT Considerations for Persons with Chronic Diseases  241
? HIGH-INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING  241
? CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE  244
Contentsxvi
? METABOLIC DISEASE  244
? PULMONARY DISEASE  245
? CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE  246
Effects of Myocardial Ischemia, Myocardial Infarction, and Hypertension on Cardiorespiratory 
Responses during Exercise  246
Myocardial Ischemia  246
Myocardial Infarction  247
? HYPERTENSION  247
Exercise Concerns, Precautions, and Contraindications  247
Cardiovascular Disease  247
Metabolic Disease  250
Pulmonary Disease  251
Chronic Kidney Disease  252
Effect of Common Medications on Exercise Capacity and Tolerance  253
Over-the-Counter Drugs  253
Prescription Drugs  255
Teaching and Demonstrating Safe and Effective Exercise  256
 9 Exercise Programming for Individuals with Musculoskeletal Limitations  265
Traumatic Movement–Related Injuries  266
Fractures  266
Strains  267
Sprains  268
Contusions  268
? IMMEDIATE CARE  269
? MEDICATIONS FOR MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN AND INFLAMMATION  269
? EXERCISE TO REDUCE RISK OF STRAINS AND SPRAINS  270
Overuse Injuries  271
Tendinopathy  271
? CLINICAL PRESENTATION/ASSESSMENT  271
? SAFE AND EFFECTIVE EXERCISE  272
? EXERCISE CONSIDERATIONS FOR TENDINOPATHIES  272
Bursitis  273
? CLINICAL PRESENTATION/ASSESSMENT  273
? SAFE AND EFFECTIVE EXERCISE  273
Plantar Fasciitis  273
? CLINICAL PRESENTATION/ASSESSMENT  273
? SAFE AND EFFECTIVE EXERCISE  274
Examples of Safe and Effective Exercises for Overuse Injuries  274
Low Back Pain  275
? CLINICAL PRESENTATION/ASSESSMENT  276
? SAFE AND EFFECTIVE EXERCISE  277
Chronic Conditions  281
Arthritis  281
? RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS  281
Clinical Presentation/Assessment  281
Safe and Effective Exercise  282
? OSTEOARTHRITIS  283
Obesity and Osteoarthritis  283
Clinical Presentation/Assessment  283
Safe and Effective Exercise  283
Contentsxvii
? MEDICATION EFFECTS FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND OSTEOARTHRITIS  284
? EXERCISE GUIDELINES FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND OSTEOARTHRITIS  284
Osteoporosis  285
? RISK FACTORS FOR OSTEOPOROSIS  285
? CLINICAL PRESENTATION/ASSESSMENT  287
? DIETARY AND PHARMACOLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR BONE HEALTH  287
? SAFE AND EFFECTIVE EXERCISE  288
 10  Exercise Programming across the Lifespan: Children and Adolescents, Pregnant 
Women, and Older Adults  299
Children and Adolescents  300
Physical and Physiological Changes  300
? BODY SIZE AND COMPOSITION  300
? CARDIORESPIRATORY FUNCTION  301
? MUSCULAR STRENGTH, FLEXIBILITY , AND MOTOR PERFORMANCE  301
? RATING OF PERCEIVED EXERTION  302
? THERMOREGULATION  302
Motor Skills and Physical Activity  302
The Impact of Chronic Exercise  302
Exercise Programming and Specific Exercise Considerations  303
? CHILDREN  304
? ADOLESCENTS  304
Pregnant Women  305
Physical and Physiological Changes  305
The Impact of Chronic Exercise  306
Exercise Programming and Specific Exercise Considerations  308
Special Considerations during Pregnancy  310
Older Adults  310
Physical and Physiological Changes  311
? BODY COMPOSITION AND MUSCULOSKELETAL FUNCTION  311
? CARDIORESPIRATORY FUNCTION AND THERMOREGULATION  312
The Impact of Chronic Exercise  313
Exercise Programming and Specific Exercise Considerations  313
? AEROBIC ACTIVITY  315
? MUSCLE-STRENGTHENING ACTIVITY  315
? FLEXIBILITY ACTIVITY AND NEUROMOTOR EXERCISES  316
? THERMOREGULATION  316
PART IV: Behavior Change 325
 11 Theories of Behavior Change  326
Importance of Theories and Models  327
Transtheoretical Model  327
Social Cognitive Theory  328
Self-Efficacy  329
Relapse Prevention  333
Social Ecological Model  334
Theory of Planned Behavior  337
Self-Determination Theory  338
Hedonic Theory  339
Contentsxviii
 12 Facilitating Health Behavior Change  347
Practical Strategies for Behavior Change  348
Identifying Benefits of Physical Activity  348
Setting Goals  349
Using Self-Monitoring Tools  349
? SELF-MONITORING RECOMMENDATIONS  350
? PHYSICAL ACTIVITY MONITORS  351
Increasing Social Support  351
Regulating Emotions  351
Enhancing Self-Efficacy  353
Problem-Solving Barriers to Physical Activity  354
Increasing Options for Physical Activity  356
Preventing Relapse  356
Facilitating Behavior Change: The Role of the Exercise Physiologist  357
Incorporating Behavior Change into Practice  357
Improving Communication  359
Using Motivational Interviewing  360
Working with Diverse Populations  366
? OLDER ADULTS  366
? RACE/ETHNICITY  367
 13 Healthy Stress Management  371
The Stress Response  372
Sources of Stress  372
Appraisal of Stress  373
Coping  373
? PROBLEM-FOCUSED COPING  374
? EMOTION-FOCUSED COPING  374
The Physiological and Psychological Response to Stress  374
General Adaptation Syndrome and Allostasis  374
The Effects of Stress on Health  376
? DIGESTIVE ISSUES  376
? HEADACHES  377
? CARDIOVASCULAR AND METABOLIC DISEASES AND THE ROLE OF CORTISOL  378
? IMMUNE SUPPRESSION, CANCER, AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS  378
Stress and Psychological Functioning  378
? PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION  378
? FATIGUE AND BURNOUT  379
? COGNITIVE DEFICITS  379
Healthy Stress Management  379
Exercise  379
Enhancing Social Support  380
Improving Personal Control and Self-Efficacy  382
Mind–Body Techniques for Reducing Stress  383
? DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING AND BODY SCANS  384
? PROGRESSIVE MUSCLE RELAXATION  384
? BIOFEEDBACK  384
? MASSAGE  385
? MEDITATION AND PRAYER  385
? MINDFULNESS  385
? YOGA AND MARTIAL ARTS  386
?  REFERRING A CLIENT OR PATIENT TO A PSYCHOLOGIST  386
Contentsxix
PART V: Business 395
 14 Legal Structure and Terminology  396
The Law and Legal System  397
Primary Sources of Law  397
Tort Law  399
Negligence  399
Insurance Coverage  402
Federal Laws  403
Sexual Harassment  403
Occupational Safety and Health Administration Guidelines  404
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Guidelines and Recommendations  404
Client Rights and Responsibilities  405
Client Rights  405
Client Responsibilities  406
Contract Law  406
Employer and Employee Rights and Responsibilities  406
Federal Employment Laws  407
Hiring and Prehiring Statutes  407
Facility Policies and Procedures  410
 15 Leadership and Management  415
Defining Leadership and Management  416
Operational Definitions  416
Evidence-Based Management  418
Leadership: Past, Present, and Future  419
Transactional Model  419
Visionary Model  419
Organic Model  420
Leadership Theory and Model  420
Leadership Behaviors and Theories  421
Trait Theory  421
Situational Leadership Theory  421
Path–Goal Leadership Theory  422
Transformational and Transactional Leadership  422
Lewin’s Leadership Styles  423
Servant Leadership  423
Leader–Member Exchange Theory  424
Emotional Intelligence  424
Contextual Intelligence and Three-Dimensional Thinking  425
Management Techniques  427
Management Grid (Blake and Mouton)  427
Scientific Management (Frederick W. Taylor)  427
Bureaucratic Model of Management (Max Weber)  428
Total Quality Management (W. Edwards Deming)  428
Management by Objective (Peter Drucker)  429
Motivator-Hygiene Theory (Fredrick Herzberg)  429
Theory X and Y (Douglas McGregor)  430
Behavioral Approach (Mary Parker Follet)  430
Organizational Behavior  431
Strategic Planning  431
Contentsxx
 16 General Health Fitness Management  436
Human Resource Management  437
Organizational Culture and Teamwork  437
Staffing  438
? TYPES OF POSITIONS  438
? EMPLOYEE VERSUS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR  439
? EXEMPT VERSUS NONEXEMPT  441
? FULL-TIME VERSUS PART-TIME  441
? JOB DESCRIPTIONS  442
Recruiting and Selection  442
? RECRUITING STRATEGIES  442
? SELECTION PROCESS  444
? INTERVIEW PROCESS  445
Compensation  445
Employee Orientation, Development, and Training  446
Performance Management and Employee Retention  447
? SETTING GOALS  447
? PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS  448
? EMPLOYEE RETENTION  449
Section Summary  449
Risk Management  449
Standards and Guidelines for Risk Management and Emergency Procedures  449
Types of Business Liability Insurance  452
Risk Management Summary  453
Facility Management and Operations  453
Clinical and Nonclinical Health/Fitness Facility Settings  453
? CLINICAL FITNESS SETTING  454
? NONCLINICAL FITNESS SETTINGS  454
Operations  455
Equipment  455
Financial Management  457
Accrual and Cash Accounting  458
Financial Statements  458
? BALANCE SHEET  458
? PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENT  460
Budgeting  461
? TYPES OF BUDGETS  461
? CREATING A BUDGET  461
Income Management  462
Expense Management  462
Section Summary  463
Marketing and Sales  463
Marketing  463
? MARKETING TOOLS  464
Sales  465
Section Summary  465
Programming  466
Programs in Demand  466
Steps to Successful Programming  466
Section Summary  467
Contentsxxi Contents
 17 Marketing  469
Marketing Basics  470
People  470
Product  472
Place  472
Price  474
Promotion  475
? BRANDING  476
? ADVERTISING  476
? REFERRAL  476
? DIRECT MAIL/E-MAIL  477
? INTERNET  477
? BUSINESS TO BUSINESS  477
? SPONSORSHIP  477
? PERSONAL SALES  478
Finding Leads  478
Qualifying Prospects  479
The Art of the Deal  479
? PUBLIC RELATIONS  479
 18 Professional Behaviors and Ethics  484
History  485
Accreditation  485
Committee on the Certification and Registry Board  489
ACSM Code of Ethics  489
Scope of Practice  489
Scenario 1  491
Scenario 2  492
Scenario 3  493
Conflict of Interest  495
Providing Evidence-Based Information  495
Step 1: Develop a Question  495
Step 2: Search for Evidence  496
? PERSONAL EXPERIENCE  496
? ACADEMIC PREPARATION  496
? RESEARCH KNOWLEDGE  496
Step 3: Evaluate the Evidence  496
Step 4: Incorporate Evidence into Practice  496
Maintaining Certification  498
Ways to Earn Continuing Education Credits  499
Personal Characteristics  499
Appendix A Editors from the Previous T wo Editions of ACSM’s Resources for the Exercise 
Physiologist  507
Appendix B Contributors from the Previous T wo Editions of ACSM’s Resources for the Exercise 
Physiologist  508
I n dex  511